US Trends

how much does a electrician make

An electrician in the U.S. in 2026 typically makes around $60,000–$65,000 per year on average , with a rough overall range from about $40,000 for beginners to well over $100,000 for highly experienced or specialized electricians.

Quick Scoop: What Electricians Earn

  • Average U.S. electrician salary is about $57,000–$62,000 per year , or roughly $27–$30 per hour.
  • Many guides for 2026 put the typical overall range at $39,000–$106,000 per year , depending heavily on experience, location, and employer.
  • Some 2026 trade pay guides say working electricians commonly fall between $62,000 and $92,000 once you factor in experience and specialization.
  • Top earners (master electricians, foremen, or specialists) can reach or exceed $95,000–$115,000+ per year in the U.S., and even higher if they run their own business.

By Experience Level

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how much an electrician makes at different stages in the U.S.

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Level / Role Typical Annual Salary Typical Hourly Rate
Entry-level / apprentice $40,000 – $55,000 $20 – $26/hour
Early career (0–2 years) ≈ $47,000 ≈ $23/hour
Journeyman $60,000 – $80,000 $28 – $38/hour
Intermediate (2–4 years) ≈ $68,000 ≈ $33/hour
Senior electrician (4+ years) ≈ $80,000 ≈ $38–$40/hour
Master electrician $85,000 – $115,000 $40 – $60/hour
Electrical foreman / supervisor $95,000 – $130,000 $45 – $65/hour
A simple example: an experienced journeyman making $35\$35$35 per hour and working full time (about 2,000 hours a year) would earn roughly $70,000\$70,000$70,000 annually before overtime or side work (2,000 × 35).

Other Big Factors (Location, Specialty, Business)

Electrician pay isn’t just about years of experience; where and how you work matters a lot.

  • Location (country and state/region)
    • In the U.S., average annual pay from various sources falls around $56,000–$62,000 , with higher ranges in states like Oregon, Washington, and Illinois.
* In the UK, 2026 data points to a **median of about £39,000** , with many electricians sitting in the **£35,000–£42,000** band and top roles in utilities/high-voltage work reaching **£60,000–£85,000+**.
  • Type of work / specialization
    • Residential work often runs around $25–$35 per hour.
* Commercial and industrial electricians can make **$35–$55 per hour** , especially in complex or high-risk environments.

* Emergency and after-hours callouts can jump to **$65+ per hour** , and overtime can significantly boost yearly income.
  • Running your own business
    • Many salary guides highlight that electricians who start their own service company or build a strong client base can push their earnings well above the standard wage ranges, especially when combining regular work with higher-priced emergency jobs.

What This Means If You’re Considering the Trade

Putting it all together, being an electrician in 2026 is generally considered a solid, in-demand trade with room to move up in pay over time.

  • Starting out, you’re likely in the low-to-mid $40Ks in the U.S., or mid-£20Ks in the UK.
  • With a few years’ experience and a journeyman license, many people land in the $60K–$80K (or £35K–£45K in the UK) zone.
  • With a master license, supervision responsibilities, or a successful business, pay can climb into six figures in the U.S. and £60K+ in the UK.

If you tell me your country or state, I can narrow the numbers down to a more specific range for where you live.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.