Becoming an electrician can be a rewarding career path. You’ll provide essential services to residential and commercial customers, helping build critical infrastructure to keep the world running. Naturally, electricians are in high demand across the United States. They also tend to enjoy competitive salaries that increase as their experience level does.
If you’re considering becoming an electrician, it’s essential to understand how much you’ll earn at all levels of your career journey.
To help you decide whether this career path suits your income needs, we’ve created this electrician salary guide.
How much does a licensed electrician make?
To maximize your earning potential and job growth, you’ll need to become a licensed electrician.
The requirements for licensing vary from state to state. As a rule of thumb, you’ll need to complete an electrical apprenticeship program and then pass a licensing exam to become a journeyman electrician.
Your salary will depend on how long you’ve been working and your job title. Usually, an apprenticeship lasts for two to four years before you can get your license.
Once you’re licensed, you can start earning a higher salary. A master electrician’s salary is about 20% higher than a journeyman’s and almost double that of an apprentice. The more specialized you become, the higher your earning potential.
To give you an idea of the salary you can earn at different stages throughout your career as an electrician, here are two comparison tables based on data from getjobber.com.
What is the average electrician’s salary?
| Electrician Average Salary | Apprentice Average Salary | Journeyman Electrician Starting Salary | Journeyman Electrician Average Salary | Master Electrician Average Salary |
| $53,136 | $35,851 | $38,244 | $58,180 | $69,385 |
Electrician Salary in the U.S. Based on Years of Experience
| < 3 Years | 3-6 Years | 7-10 Years | 11-17 Years | 18 Years |
| $38,244 | $48,626 | $54,951 | $59,727 | $64,130 |
These averages are just a starting point. Your industry, degree of specialization, and location will also impact your salary as an electrician.
Relationship between electrician salaries and U.S. Locations
Some areas of the country have higher than average salaries due to a higher cost of living or more demand for electricians. When considering the ten most populated states, electricians usually earn the most in New York and California. They earn the least in Florida and Georgia. If you plan on working close to home, it’s essential to research the numbers for your specific state and consider your cost of living.
How much do electricians make in California?
The average salary for electricians in California is $67,826 – 26% higher than the national average of $53,136.
How much do electricians make in Florida?
The average electrician salary in Florida is $46,265 – 15% lower than the national average.
Other factors affecting an electrician’s salary
Industry and sector
If you decide to work as an electrician in manufacturing, construction, or utilities, you’ll earn a higher salary than working on residential or smaller-scale projects.
Specialization
If you choose to work in industrial electrical work, renewable energy, or automation technology, your additional skills and expertise will help you earn even more money.
Economic factors
An electrician’s average salary will grow as the demand for skilled labor increases, likely during economic growth.
Keep an eye on local market trends. Research shows salaries in the U.S. are expected to grow by 13% over the next five years.
The bottom line
The average salary in the U.S. ranges from $35,851 for unlicensed apprentices to a master electrician salary of $69,385 after several years of experience.
Keep in mind that these numbers vary depending on location, industry, specialization, and economic factors. With this electrician salary guide, you can decide whether a career as an electrician is worth pursuing.
Once you start working as an electrician, you’ll need to grow your customer base. That’s where our receptionist team at AnswerForce can help you! We can manage your calls and chats, estimate scheduling, and even provide after-hours correspondence in case of emergencies.