Electrician pay
What electricians earn — and keep — in 2026
Electrical work is one of the best-paid skilled trades you can enter through an apprenticeship rather than college. The BLS puts the median electrician at $62,350 (May 2024). Pay rises through the apprentice-to-journeyman-to-master ladder, and industrial, lineman and union electricians sit at the top — the highest 10% earn over $104,000.
Where an electrician's paycheck goes
On the $62,350 median, a single electrician pays federal income tax mostly in the 12%–22% brackets after the standard deduction, plus 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare. Union members may also see dues and a pension contribution on the stub, which lower take-home but build benefits.
The highest-paying states for electricians
Wages run highest in Illinois, New York, California, Oregon and Washington. Washington pairs strong electrician pay with no state income tax, while California taxes more of it — so compare net, not gross, when weighing a move.
Compare the trade with other careers
See how electrician pay compares with a welder or truck driver, or check your exact net in Texas.
Questions
Electrician Salary Calculator FAQ
How much does an electrician make in 2026?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $62,350 for electricians (May 2024). Apprentices start lower and earn raises as they log hours; journeymen and master electricians, plus those in industrial, lineman or union roles, can earn well over $80,000. The top 10% exceed $104,000.
What is an electrician's take-home pay on $62,350?
A single electrician earning the $62,350 median takes home roughly $50,000 to $51,000 a year after federal income tax and FICA in a no-income-tax state, less where state tax applies. Overtime — common in construction and industrial work — is taxable but boosts gross and therefore net pay.
Do apprentice and journeyman electricians earn the same?
No. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that rises with each completed year (often 40%–50% to start, reaching the full rate at completion). Master electricians and those who run their own contracting business can earn substantially more. Enter your actual hourly or annual figure for your stage.
Which states pay electricians the most?
Electricians earn the highest wages in states with strong construction and industrial demand and active unions — including Illinois, New York, California, Oregon and Washington. Pair a high wage with a no-income-tax state like Washington or Texas and your take-home climbs further.
- Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Electricians (median $62,350, May 2024) · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · SSA 2026 wage base · State departments of revenue.
- 🔄 Last updated June 9, 2026 · Tax year 2026
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