Hourly wages for electricians vary by experience, location, and whether you work union or non-union

Electrician hourly rates depend on three main factors: how long you've been working, where you live, and whether you belong to a union. A first-year apprentice might earn $15 to $18 per hour in a low-cost region, while a licensed journeyman in a major city can make $28 to $50 per hour. Union electricians typically earn more than non-union workers in the same area, sometimes by $10 to $15 per hour or more.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks electrician wages, but the numbers shift by state and metro area. Cost of living matters: an electrician in rural Mississippi earns less per hour than one in San Francisco, even if their actual purchasing power is similar. Self-employed electricians and those who run their own shops often charge higher rates but also cover their own overhead, taxes, and insurance.

Key Takeaways

  • Apprentices typically earn $15 to $25 per hour depending on region and union status, with raises built into multi-year apprenticeship contracts.
  • Licensed journeyman electricians generally earn $25 to $50 per hour, with union shops paying significantly more than non-union in most regions.
  • Master electricians and shop owners often charge $40 to $75 per hour or more, though they may also bill by the job rather than hourly.
  • Geographic location and union membership create the largest wage differences — the same experience level can mean a $15 per hour gap between regions.
  • Overtime, prevailing wage jobs, and specialty work (like high-voltage or industrial) can push hourly earnings substantially higher.

What apprentices earn during training

Apprenticeships typically last four to five years and combine classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training. During this time, you earn while you learn. Non-union apprentices often start at $15 to $18 per hour in lower-cost states and $18 to $25 in higher-cost areas. Union apprentices usually start higher — often $18 to $22 per hour — with scheduled raises every six months or annually as you progress through the program.

By the final year of a union apprenticeship, you might earn $22 to $35 per hour. The exact amount depends on your local union's contract. Non-union apprentices may see slower wage growth and less predictable raises. Once you complete the apprenticeship and pass the journeyman exam, your hourly rate typically jumps by $5 to $10 per hour when ready.

Journeyman electrician wages

A licensed journeyman electrician — someone who has completed an apprenticeship and passed the state licensing exam — is the standard working electrician. Non-union journeymen typically earn $25 to $40 per hour depending on region and employer size. Union journeymen in the same region often earn $35 to $50 per hour or more, with additional benefits like health insurance, pension contributions, and paid time off built into the contract.

Major metropolitan areas pay more. A journeyman in New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago might earn $45 to $55 per hour union-side, while the same person in a smaller city might earn $28 to $35. Rural areas generally pay less. Experience matters too: a journeyman with 10 years on the job may earn $5 to $10 more per hour than someone newly licensed, even within the same shop.

Master electrician and business owner rates

A master electrician has additional licensing (requirements vary by state) and often runs a business or supervises other electricians. Master electricians typically charge $40 to $75 per hour for labor, though many bill by the job rather than hourly. If you own the business, you also collect markup on materials and subcontractor work, which can significantly increase your take-home.

Self-employed electricians and shop owners set their own rates but must account for overhead: vehicle maintenance, tools, insurance, taxes, and time spent on estimates and paperwork that don't bill directly. A master electrician who charges $60 per hour might net $35 to $45 after expenses, depending on how efficiently they run the business.

How location affects hourly pay

Electrician wages vary widely by state and city. The highest-paying states for electricians are generally California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, where journeymen often earn $45 to $55 per hour. Lower-paying states include Mississippi, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming, where journeymen might earn $28 to $35 per hour. These differences reflect both cost of living and the strength of union presence in each region.

Within a state, major cities pay more than rural areas. An electrician in Denver earns more than one in a small Colorado town. However, the cost of living difference is usually smaller than the wage difference, meaning electricians in high-wage cities often have higher real purchasing power. Some electricians relocate or travel to high-wage regions for temporary work to boost their annual income.

Union versus non-union wage differences

Union electricians earn significantly more than non-union electricians in most regions. The gap ranges from $8 to $20 per hour depending on location and experience level. Union contracts set minimum wages, may provide raises on a schedule, and include benefits like health insurance, pension plans, and paid vacation. Non-union shops offer more flexibility in hiring and scheduling but typically pay less and offer fewer benefits.

Union apprenticeships are also more structured and often easier to enter if you meet basic requirements, whereas non-union apprenticeships depend on individual employers. Some regions have strong union presence (the Northeast, parts of California, the Great Lakes) where union wages dominate. Other regions are mostly non-union (the South, parts of the Mountain West), where union shops are rare and non-union rates are the standard.

Overtime, prevailing wage, and specialty work

Many electricians earn overtime pay, which is typically time-and-a-half (1.5 times the hourly rate) or double-time for hours over 40 per week or 8 per day. Overtime is common in construction and emergency repair work. An electrician earning $40 per hour might make $60 per hour for overtime, significantly boosting annual income during busy seasons.

Prevailing wage jobs — public construction projects funded by government — pay set rates that are usually higher than market rates. These jobs are often union-only and can pay $50 to $70 per hour or more depending on the state and project type. Specialty work like high-voltage systems, industrial controls, or renewable energy installation can also command premium rates. Self-employed electricians who develop informed in a high-demand specialty often charge 20 to 40 percent more than general electricians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do electricians make more than plumbers or HVAC technicians?

Wages are roughly comparable across the three trades. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians typically earn within $2 to $5 per hour of each other at the journeyman level, though this varies by region and union status. In some areas electricians earn slightly more; in others, plumbers do. The difference is usually smaller than the difference between union and non-union in the same trade.

What's the difference between hourly wage and what I actually take home?

If you're an employee, your take-home is your hourly wage minus taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and any benefits you pay for. If you're self-employed, you also subtract the employer's share of payroll taxes (15.3 percent), business expenses, and overhead. A self-employed electrician charging $50 per hour might net $30 to $35 after all costs.

Do electricians get paid more for night or weekend work?

Some employers pay shift differentials — extra pay for evening, night, or weekend hours — but this is not standard across the trade. Union contracts sometimes include shift premiums. Emergency repair work often pays more per hour or includes a service call fee on top of hourly labor. Ask potential employers directly whether they offer shift pay.

Can I earn more as a self-employed electrician than working for a company?

Potentially, but it depends on how efficiently you run the business and how much work you can book. Self-employed electricians set higher hourly rates but lose paid time off, benefits, and steady paychecks. You also spend time on estimates, invoicing, and marketing that don't bill directly. Many electricians earn more working union than self-employed when you account for benefits and job security.

How much do electricians earn in their first year after getting licensed?

A newly licensed journeyman typically earns $25 to $35 per hour non-union and $35 to $45 per hour union, depending on region. This is usually a $5 to $10 per hour jump from the final year of apprenticeship. Raises continue as you gain experience, though the pace slows after the first few years.