Electrician Salary 2026 — What Electricians Make in Every State
Electrician pay varies dramatically by state and union status. This page consolidates BLS data and IBEW journeyman scale to give you a working picture of what to expect — and which states pay the most.
Why Electrician Pay Varies by State
- Cost of living differences (NYC vs. rural Tennessee)
- Union vs. non-union presence in the state
- Construction demand (booming Phoenix vs. flat smaller cities)
- State licensing requirements and reciprocity
State-by-State Pay Ranges
Ranges below reflect typical IBEW journeyman scale and non-union shop rates. BLS median wage cited per state.
| State | IBEW Journeyman (avg) | Non-Union (avg) |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $52+/hr | $35-45/hr |
| California | $50+/hr | $32-45/hr |
| Illinois | $52-58/hr | $28-40/hr |
| Massachusetts | $48+/hr | $32-42/hr |
| Hawaii | $48+/hr | $35-45/hr |
| Alaska | $45+/hr | $35-45/hr |
| Washington | $45+/hr | $30-42/hr |
| New Jersey | $45+/hr | $28-40/hr |
| Oregon | $42+/hr | $28-38/hr |
| Texas | $35-42/hr | $24-35/hr |
| Florida | $28-35/hr | $20-32/hr |
| Georgia | $32-38/hr | $22-32/hr |
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Electricians
- New York
- California
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
- Alaska
- Washington
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Minnesota
IBEW Apprentice Pay Scale
Apprentice pay is a percentage of journeyman rate that increases each year. Typical progression:
- Year 1: ~40-50% of journeyman ($18-25/hr in most locals)
- Year 2: ~50-55%
- Year 3: ~60-70%
- Year 4: ~75-85%
- Year 5: 100% (journeyman scale)
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Take the Free Practice TestFrequently Asked Questions
What is the average electrician salary?
The U.S. median electrician salary is roughly $61,000 per year per BLS data, with the top 10% earning over $100,000. Hourly wages vary widely — IBEW journeyman scale runs $30-$60+/hour depending on the local.
What state pays electricians the most?
New York, California, Illinois, Hawaii, and Alaska consistently appear at the top of state pay rankings for electricians, driven by high IBEW journeyman rates and strong union presence.
How much do IBEW journeymen make?
IBEW journeyman rates vary by local — typical scale ranges from $30/hour in smaller Southern locals to $55+/hour in major urban locals like Chicago 134 or NYC 3, plus pension and benefits.
Do electricians make more than plumbers?
On average, electrician and plumber wages are comparable. Both trades require apprenticeships and licensing. Geographic and union differences usually outweigh trade differences in pay comparison.
Related Resources
Michael B.
IBEW Local 134 Journeyman Electrician · Licensed Electrical Contractor
Michael is a licensed electrical contractor and IBEW Local 134 journeyman with years of field experience. He built Sparky AI after ChatGPT gave him wrong NEC code information on a job — costing him $800 in callbacks. Every answer in Sparky AI is verified against the actual NEC.