Electricians earn $60,748 per year on average
But apprentices, journeymen, and masters live in different worlds. Salaries range from $35,000 to $100,000+ depending on your level, location, and specialisation.
Salary Calculator
Select your state, experience level, specialisation, and union status to estimate your earning potential.
Estimated Annual Salary
$53,640
Range: $49,349 to $57,931
Hourly Rate
$25.79/hr
Monthly Take-Home (est.)
$3,263/mo
Overtime Potential (10 hrs/wk)
+$19,343/yr
Top 10 Highest-Paying States
Median journeyman electrician salary by state. These figures represent base pay before overtime.
Career Progression: Apprentice to Business Owner
The electrical trade has a clear pay ladder. Each step requires specific experience hours and licensing exams.
Apprentice (Year 1)
$33,000 - $40,000
$16 - $19/hr
Entry level. You work under direct supervision of a journeyman, learning basic wiring, conduit bending, and safety protocols. Wages start at 40-50% of the journeyman rate.
Requirements
High school diploma or GED. Enrol in a registered apprenticeship programme (IBEW, IEC, or independent). Some states require apprentice registration.
Apprentice (Year 2-3)
$38,000 - $48,000
$18 - $23/hr
Intermediate apprentice. You begin handling more tasks independently, reading blueprints, and learning code requirements. Pay increases to 55-70% of the journeyman rate.
Requirements
Continued on-the-job training (2,000 hrs/year) plus classroom instruction. Annual pay increases tied to progress evaluations.
Apprentice (Year 4)
$44,000 - $52,000
$21 - $25/hr
Senior apprentice. You can work with limited supervision, lead small tasks, and prepare for the journeyman exam. Wages reach 75-85% of the journeyman rate.
Requirements
Complete 8,000+ total OJT hours and all classroom requirements. Begin studying for the journeyman licence exam.
Journeyman Electrician
$50,000 - $70,000
$24 - $34/hr
Fully licensed. You can work independently, pull permits, supervise apprentices, and specialise in residential, commercial, or industrial work. This is the baseline rate in the trade.
Requirements
Pass the journeyman licence exam. Most states require 8,000-10,000 hours of documented experience. Some states have reciprocity agreements.
Master Electrician
$65,000 - $90,000
$31 - $43/hr
The highest individual licence tier. You can design electrical systems, pull permits in your own name, bid on large projects, and supervise journeymen and apprentices.
Requirements
Typically requires 2-4 years as a journeyman plus passing the master electrician exam. Requirements vary by state.
Contractor / Business Owner
$80,000 - $150,000+
Varies widely
Running your own electrical contracting business. Income depends on the size of your operation, number of employees, and types of projects. Top contractors earn well above $200,000.
Requirements
Master electrician licence (in most states), business licence, liability insurance, bonding, and startup capital ($15,000-$50,000+).
Union vs Non-Union Comparison
Union electricians earn 10-20% more in total compensation, but non-union electricians have more flexibility on job selection and geography.
| Factor | Union (IBEW) | Non-Union |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $35 - $50/hr | $28 - $40/hr |
| Health Insurance | Full family coverage, low premiums | Varies by employer, often partial |
| Pension / Retirement | Defined benefit pension + annuity | 401(k) if offered, no pension |
| Overtime Rules | Strict 1.5x after 8 hrs/day | 1.5x after 40 hrs/week (federal) |
| Job Security | Dispatch through hiring hall | Direct hire, at-will employment |
| Training & Education | Free JATC apprenticeship | Employer-dependent or self-funded |
| Dues | 2-4% of gross pay | None |
| Work Rules | Strict jurisdictional boundaries | More flexible assignments |
Bottom line: Union electricians earn more in total compensation (wages + benefits + pension), but non-union electricians enjoy greater geographic flexibility and more control over which jobs they take.
Pay by Specialisation
Different specialisations offer very different earning potential, schedules, and career paths.
Residential
$52,000/yr median
New construction and remodel wiring for homes. Lower base pay but excellent potential for side work on evenings and weekends. Many residential electricians eventually start their own businesses.
Commercial
$61,000/yr median
Office buildings, retail, restaurants, and institutional facilities. Steady work, predictable hours, and a solid middle ground between pay and lifestyle.
Industrial
$67,000/yr median
Manufacturing plants, refineries, and heavy industrial facilities. Highest hourly rates for journeymen, plus shift differentials for nights and weekends. Often includes hazardous-environment training.
Lineman / Outside
$78,000/yr median
Power line installation and maintenance, high-voltage transmission work. The highest earning ceiling in the trade thanks to danger pay, travel per diems, and storm bonuses. Physically demanding with significant travel.
Low Voltage / Fire Alarm
$48,000/yr median
Data cabling, security systems, fire alarm installation, and smart-building controls. Lower base pay but less physically demanding. Growing demand as buildings become more connected.
Overtime and Side Work Income
Most salary sites ignore overtime and side work. For electricians, these can add $20,000 to $50,000 per year to your income.
Overtime Rates
Federal law requires 1.5x pay for hours over 40 per week. Union contracts often trigger 1.5x after 8 hours per day and 2x on Sundays and holidays. Industrial and lineman electricians get the most overtime opportunities.
Base $30/hr = $45/hr overtime (1.5x)
Emergency Call-Out Premiums
Emergency call-outs typically pay 1.5x to 2x the normal hourly rate, plus a minimum 2-4 hour guaranteed payment regardless of actual time on site. Linemen responding to storm damage can earn $80 to $150+ per hour during emergency restoration.
Side Job Income
Licensed electricians with their own tools can earn $50 to $100+ per hour doing residential side work on evenings and weekends. Common jobs include panel upgrades ($1,500-$3,000), ceiling fan installation ($150-$300), and outlet/switch work ($100-$250 per job).
Tax note: Side job income is self-employment income and subject to an additional 15.3% self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare). Set aside 25-30% for taxes.
Realistic Total Income Scenario
A journeyman earning $62,000 base who works 10 hours of overtime per week and does weekend side jobs can realistically earn $95,000 to $110,000 per year.
Licensing Requirements by State
Electrical licensing varies significantly from state to state. Some states have statewide licensing, others leave it to local jurisdictions, and a few have no requirements at all. Here is a sample of key states.
| State | Apprentice Reg. | Journeyman Exam | Master Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Required | Required (state certification) | Not required |
| Texas | Required | Required | Required |
| Florida | Not required | Required (county-level) | Not required (state) |
| New York | Required (NYC) | Required (NYC/local) | Required (NYC) |
| Illinois | Not required | Required | Not required (state) |
| Ohio | Not required | Required | Not required (state) |
| Pennsylvania | Not required (state) | Local only (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh) | Local only |
| Georgia | Not required | Required | Required |
| Washington | Required | Required | Required |
| Oregon | Required | Required | Not required |
How to Become an Electrician
1. Education
Start with a high school diploma or GED. Courses in algebra, physics, and shop/trades classes are helpful. Some community colleges offer pre-apprenticeship programmes that give you a head start, though they are not required.
2. Apprenticeship
Apply to a registered apprenticeship programme. The two main paths are the IBEW/NECA (union) Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) and the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) programmes. Apprenticeships last 4-5 years and combine paid on-the-job training (8,000-10,000 hours) with classroom instruction (576-1,000 hours).
3. Journeyman Licence
After completing your apprenticeship, take and pass the journeyman electrician exam. The exam covers the National Electrical Code (NEC), electrical theory, and local amendments. Most states require this licence to work independently.
4. Master Licence (Optional)
After 2-4 years as a journeyman, you can sit for the master electrician exam. A master licence lets you design electrical systems, bid on projects, pull permits, and (in most states) start your own contracting business.
5. Continuing Education
Many states require continuing education credits to maintain your licence. The NEC is updated every three years, and electricians need to stay current on code changes, safety standards, and new technologies like solar, EV charging, and smart-home systems.