Electrician pay varies significantly by location. The gap between the highest and lowest paying states exceeds $40,000 per year. This guide covers current salary data for all 50 states.

National Overview

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Median Salary: $61,590/year ($29.61/hour)
• Entry Level (10th percentile): $37,020/year
• Top Earners (90th percentile): $99,800/year
• Total Employed: 726,000 electricians

Highest Paying States

These states offer the best electrician salaries:

Rank	State	Median Salary	Top 10% Earn
1	Alaska	$87,950	$108,760+
2	New York	$79,640	$104,380+
3	Washington	$78,540	$103,560+
4	California	$75,820	$98,760+
5	Hawaii	$73,520	$95,780+
6	Illinois	$72,560	$95,280+
7	Massachusetts	$72,340	$94,860+
8	Oregon	$71,840	$94,280+
9	New Jersey	$71,580	$93,840+
10	Minnesota	$68,940	$90,420+

Why Pay Varies So Much

Several factors explain the state-by-state differences:

1. Cost of Living

High-paying states like Alaska, New York, and California also have high costs of living. A $75,000 salary in California doesn’t go as far as $55,000 in Texas.

2. Union Density

States with strong union presence (Illinois, New York, California) tend to have higher wages. IBEW contracts set wage floors that lift all electrician pay.

3. Demand and Growth

Fast-growing states with construction booms (Texas, Florida, Arizona) have high demand, but wages are still catching up.

4. Licensing Requirements

States with strict licensing tend to have higher wages. Limited supply of licensed electricians = higher pay.

Cost of Living Adjusted

When adjusted for cost of living, the picture changes:

State	Nominal Salary	COL Adjusted
Alaska	$87,950	~$68,000
Texas	$57,540	~$62,000
Minnesota	$68,940	~$67,000
Tennessee	$54,940	~$60,000
Nebraska	$56,420	~$63,000

Middle-America states often provide the best real purchasing power for electricians.

Pay by Experience Level

Regardless of state, experience dramatically affects pay:

Entry Level (0-2 years as Journeyman)

• National Average: $45,000-55,000
• High-paying states: $55,000-70,000

Mid-Career (3-10 years)

• National Average: $55,000-75,000
• High-paying states: $70,000-95,000

Experienced (10+ years)

• National Average: $70,000-90,000
• High-paying states: $85,000-110,000+

Master Electricians

• National Average: $75,000-95,000
• High-paying states: $90,000-130,000+

Specialization Premiums

Some electrical specializations command higher pay:

• Industrial Electricians: +10-20% over standard
• High Voltage/Linework: +20-40% (higher risk)
• Instrumentation: +15-25%
• Solar/Renewable: +10-15% and growing
• Controls/Automation: +15-25%

Overtime and Real Earnings

Base salary tells only part of the story. Many electricians work significant overtime:

• Standard week: 40 hours at straight time
• Overtime: 1.5x pay after 40 hours
• Double time: 2x pay on Sundays/holidays (union)

An electrician earning $35/hour base who works 50 hours/week earns:

• 40 hours × $35 = $1,400
• 10 hours × $52.50 = $525
• Weekly total: $1,925
• Annual (50 weeks): $96,250

That is 38% more than the base salary of $72,800.

Contractor vs Employee

Electricians who start their own business can earn significantly more:

• Employee Journeyman: $55,000-85,000
• Self-employed (small jobs): $70,000-120,000
• Electrical Contractor (with employees): $100,000-300,000+

Running a business adds overhead, insurance costs, and financial risk.

Where Should You Work?

The “best” state depends on your priorities:

For maximum raw pay: Alaska, New York, California, Washington

For best purchasing power: Texas, Tennessee, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio

For job availability: Texas, Florida, California (high growth)

For union work: Illinois, New York, California, New Jersey

For business ownership: Florida, Texas (business-friendly)

The Bottom Line

Electricians earn solid incomes nationwide. Experienced electricians make middle-class wages with benefits in every state. In higher-paying states and specializations, six-figure earnings are common.

Get licensed first. Location, specialization, and union decisions come after you have your journeyman card.