how much does a electrician make
An electrician in the U.S. in 2026 typically makes around $60,000β$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 $57,000β$62,000 per year , or roughly $27β$30 per hour.
- Many guides for 2026 put the typical overall range at $39,000β$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 $95,000β$115,000+ per year in the U.S., and even higher if they run their own business.
By Experience Level
Hereβs a more detailed breakdown of how much an electrician makes at different stages in the U.S.
| Level / Role | Typical Annual Salary | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level / apprentice | $40,000 β $55,000 | [3]$20 β $26/hour | [3]
| Early career (0β2 years) | β $47,000 | [5]β $23/hour | [5]
| Journeyman | $60,000 β $80,000 | [3]$28 β $38/hour | [3]
| Intermediate (2β4 years) | β $68,000 | [5]β $33/hour | [5]
| Senior electrician (4+ years) | β $80,000 | [5]β $38β$40/hour | [5]
| Master electrician | $85,000 β $115,000 | [3]$40 β $60/hour | [3]
| Electrical foreman / supervisor | $95,000 β $130,000 | [3]$45 β $65/hour | [3]
Other Big Factors (Location, Specialty, Business)
Electrician pay isnβt 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 $56,000β$62,000 , with higher ranges in states like Oregon, Washington, and Illinois.
* In the UK, 2026 data points to a **median of about Β£39,000** , with many electricians sitting in the **Β£35,000βΒ£42,000** band and top roles in utilities/high-voltage work reaching **Β£60,000βΒ£85,000+**.
- Type of work / specialization
- Residential work often runs around $25β$35 per hour.
* Commercial and industrial electricians can make **$35β$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 Youβre 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, youβre likely in the low-to-mid $40Ks in the U.S., or mid-Β£20Ks in the UK.
- With a few yearsβ experience and a journeyman license, many people land in the $60Kβ$80K (or Β£35KβΒ£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 Β£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.