Electricians are one of the career options that will never disappear. According to recent stats, employment of electricians is projected to grow 6% by 2032. On average, about 73,500 electrician jobs are generated each year.
You might be familiar with these stats. But do you know how much do electricians make? Well, the average pay for an electrician is around $61,391 per year. However, it varies depending on qualifications, skill sets, experience, and location.
Let’s discuss more about electricians’ salaries and the factories affecting them.
How Much Do Electricians Earn?
As we have already mentioned, an electrician can earn around $61,391 per year, up to $98,000, depending on their experience, location, and skill set.
Factors Influencing Electricians’ Salaries
Below, we’ll discuss some key factors influencing the earrings of electricians.
1. Experience
Earnings can vary from a beginner-level to a highly experienced electrician.
- Beginner-Level: An electrician at the beginner level can make between $21,000 and $56,000. This tradesperson is still learning skills or taking training under an experienced electrician.
- Journeyman: A journeyman is someone whose training has been completed, and now they are taking a qualification test to verify their knowledge. They can earn between $43,113 and $71,200.
- Highly Experienced: A highly experienced electrician who passed the qualification exam and is now working alone or has formed a business can make between $48,411 and $90,882.
2. Location
Another factor contributing to electricians’ salaries is location, based on the cost of living and demand in different regions. Urban areas obviously offer higher salaries than rural areas. Below, we have curated a list of yearly earnings depending on different locations.
- New York:- $71,936
- Alabama:- $46,383
- Illinois:- $75,820
- Hawaii:- $75,810
- Florida:- $42,319
- Georgia:- $48,166
- Minnesota:- $70,410
- Louisiana:- $50,480
3. Education
An electrician with a degree has the highest income level compared to one who doesn’t have any degree. A lowest-earning electrician can also have a high school diploma.
4. Type of Job
Electricians with different types of jobs earn differently.
There are different types of electricians, each with its own specialties, such as residential, commercial, industrial, maintenance, marine, automotive, renewable energy, low-voltage, and high-voltage electricians.
However, each professional does almost similar jobs, but their workplace and equipment differ. An electrician working in a high-risk area and using more advanced tools often receives a higher salary than others.
- Residential Electricians:- $62,468 yearly or $30.03 per hour
- Commercial Electricians:- $47,037 yearly or $26.79 hourly
- Industrial Electricians:- $70,897 per year or $30.35 per hour
- Maintenance Electricians:- $63,591 per year or $30.80 per hour
- Marine Electricians:- $59,661 yearly or $28.24 an hour
- Automotive Electricians:- $78,945 per year or $35.58 hourly
- Renewable Energy Electricians:- $74,370 yearly or $32.31 per hour
- Low-Voltage Electricians:- $35,000 per year or $25.1 per hour
- High-Voltage Electricians:- $85,000 per year or $40.42 per hour
Is Electrician the Highest-Paying Job?
An electrician is not typically the highest-paying job. While they earn competitive wages due to their specialized skills and technical knowledge, other roles often surpass them in terms of salary. Plumbers contractors and HVAC contractors often have comparable or slightly higher earnings.
Other high-paying contractor jobs include general contractors. Those overseeing large-scale construction projects earn higher wages due to the complexity of their work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the average salary for an electrician in the United States?
The average salary for an electrician in the United States is around $56,900 per year.
2. Do electrician salaries vary by state?
Yes, electrician salaries can vary significantly by state due to cost of living and demand for electricians.
3. Which states pay the highest salaries for electricians?
States like California, New York, and Alaska tend to offer higher salaries for electricians.
4. How much do apprentice electricians earn?
Apprentice electricians typically earn between $30,000 and $40,000 per year, depending on location and experience.
5. What is the salary range for journeyman electricians?
Journeyman electricians usually earn between $45,000 and $75,000 annually.
6. Can electricians earn more with certifications?
Yes, electricians with additional certifications and specialized skills often earn higher salaries.
7. How does experience affect an electrician’s salary?
Electricians with more experience generally earn higher salaries, with significant increases seen after 5, 10, and 20 years of experience.
8. Do union electricians earn more than non-union electricians?
Typically, union electricians earn higher wages and have better benefits compared to non-union electricians.
9. Are there salary differences between residential and commercial electricians?
Yes, commercial electricians often earn higher salaries compared to residential electricians due to the complexity of the work.
10. How do electrician salaries compare to other trades?
Electrician salaries are generally competitive with other skilled trades, often higher due to the technical expertise required.
Wrapping Up
Hope the information in the article is enough for you to know how much electricians make. Whether you’re an aspiring electrician or someone evaluating career options, understanding factors influencing earnings is essential.
