What to Pay Electricians in 2024: A Complete Guide

The electrical industry is still growing. Between 2022 and 2032, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be 6% more job openings. As demand for skilled electricians rises, it's beneficial for electrical specialty contractors to know how much electricians are making today so that they can offer competitive wages to attract and retain skilled workers. Electricians will likely compare your offer to other contractors, so paying competitive wages helps you secure the top talent that’s out there.

A clear understanding of the market rate for electrician salaries also helps you accurately budget for labor costs when bidding on projects and managing your electrical business’ finances. This allows you to price jobs appropriately while staying profitable.

This guide gives you an in-depth look at electrician pay rates in 2024, the factors that affect salaries, and how to best negotiate pay.

Websites that actively host new job listings for electricians have shared their data on the average electrician salary in the United States for 2024:

• $61,391 per year or $29.51 per hour (ZipRecruiter)
• $60,024 per year or $28.86 per hour (Talent.com)
• $57,470 per year or $27.63 per hour (Workiz.com)

While these figures provide a general benchmark, it's important to note that electrician salaries can range widely based on several factors. ZipRecruiter reports a salary range from $32,000 to $98,000, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the top 90th percentile of electricians (those with the most experience) earned an average annual wage of $104,180 in 2023.

Electrician Pay by Industry

In 2023 there was an estimated 712,580 electrician employments (not including self-employed workers).

Which Industries Employ the Most Electricians?

Here are the industries with the highest levels of employment for electricians:

Which Industries Pay the Highest Salaries for Electricians?

Here are the top paying industries for Electricians:

• Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Factors That Influence Electrician Pay

Experience Level

As with most professions, an electricians earnings are largely based on their experience. Here's a breakdown of average salaries based on experience:

• Entry-level (0-1 year): $16.46 per hour
• Early career (1-4 years): $20.54 per hour
• Mid-career (5-10 years): $60,000 to $70,000 per year
• Experienced (10+ years): $70,000 to $80,000+ per year’

As your “mid-career to experienced” level workers, Journeyman electricians have specific pay expectations.

Geographic Location

Electrician salaries can vary significantly by state and city. For example:

• San Francisco, CA: $102,230 per year
• Memphis, TN: $56,700 per year

Metropolitan areas with higher cost of living will show a higher pay rate for electricians compared to nonmetropolitan areas where cost of living is lower. You can quickly check what the average pay for electricians are for your state and area to make sure you’re offering a competitive wage to your electricians. For example, in Texas, each major metroplex has differing average pay rates.

Specialization and Industry Sector

As mentioned in the chart above electricians working in specific industries or specializations may command higher salaries:

• Residential construction: $55,000 per year
• Power generation: $76,000 per year
• Information industry: $81,690 per yea

Certifications and Licenses

Certified electricians earn an average of $63,000 per year, compared to $59,000 for non-certified electricians. Additionally, many states require electricians to hold a license, which can impact how much they make.

Future Salary Trends for Electricians

The electrical industry is trending upwards and has seen steady growth in recent years:

• Salaries have increased by an average of 36.59% nationwide since 2004
• The median annual wage for electricians was $61,590 in May 2023.
• Approximately 73,500 job openings for electricians are projected each year over the next decade

Electrician Bonuses and Benefits

When deciding on what to set wages for your electricians, it's important to consider the full compensation package, which may include:

• Overtime pay
• Bonuses and profit-sharing
• Health insurance
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Training and career development opportunities

By denoting these benefits clearly on your job listings, you can effortlessly increase the value of your job offer to top-tier electrical talent. The more you show what you’re willing to do for your current or future employees beyond base pay, the more likely you are to attract the kinds of electricians who are fiercely loyal and will stick around for the long haul.

Tips for Negotiating Electrician Pay

When you're negotiating electrician pay, make sure you're clear about your pay structure and why you chose it. This will help your team trust you. Also, think about giving electricians performance based rewards tied to quality work done at a projects completion which is very motivating. Lastly, be intentional about how you negotiate by focusing on the total pay package instead of just hourly rates. This will help you make offers that are competitive and attractive to skilled electricians.

Knowing the average pay for electricians is crucial for electrical specialty contractors. It allows you to offer competitive wages, attracting skilled workers and keeping them on your team. This knowledge also helps you budget accurately for labor costs when bidding on jobs, ensuring you price projects correctly while maintaining profits. Fair pay leads to satisfied employees who are more likely to stick around, reducing turnover costs. By understanding market rates, you can strike a balance between fair compensation and business success, creating a win-win situation for both you and your electricians.