The federal government has directed nearly $400 billion to clean energy through the Inflation Reduction Act. However, as the nation increasingly embraces electrification, a crucial challenge has emerged: there's a shortage of qualified electricians to perform the work. On the positive side, skilled trades have become increasingly attractive career options, particularly for Gen Z, as alternatives to traditional four-year college paths. For instance, electricians can choose more affordable trade schools or apprenticeships that offer the opportunity to earn income while developing their skills. With the demand for electricians surging, wages are not only competitive but also rising rapidly. To better understand regional differences in electrician employment and pay, researchers analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The Best-Paying U.S. Cities for Electricians
Photo Credit: M2020 / Shutterstock
For anyone seeking a promising career option with plenty of opportunity in the next few decades, becoming an electrician would be a good choice.
Electricians can enter the field without four-year degrees and can instead opt for a less expensive trade school education or an apprenticeship that allows them to earn while they hone their skills. Demand for electricians’ services is already strong, but the field also has bright prospects given recent technology and policy shifts.
In the private sector, companies like Sunrun and Tesla are at the forefront of promoting new electric technologies to consumers. Simultaneously, the federal government has directed nearly $400 billion to clean energy through the Inflation Reduction Act. However, as the nation increasingly embraces electrification, a crucial challenge has emerged: the existing workforce of electricians may not be sufficient to meet the rising demand.
Strong Demand for Electricians
Electrician jobs are projected to grow 2.7X faster than average
Source: Construction Coverage analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Construction Coverage
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for electricians are projected to grow at a pace nearly three times faster than the national average in the coming decade. Electrician employment is expected to rise by 10.8% from 2023 to 2033, far exceeding the 4.0% growth rate projected for all U.S. jobs.
Electricians are also set to outpace their peers in related construction trades. While the overall construction trades sector is anticipated to grow by 6.2% by 2033, plumbers and roofers are projected to see more moderate gains of 5.6% and 5.8%, respectively. Painter and carpenter jobs are expected to experience slower growth, increasing by 4.0% and 4.2%, respectively—both in line with or just above the national average.
Electrician Salaries Compared
Electricians are well compensated compared to other skilled trade workers
Source: Construction Coverage analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Construction Coverage
In large part due to strong demand, electricians are well compensated compared to other skilled trade workers and to those with similar levels of required training. In 2023, the median annual wage for electricians was $61,590, approximately 28% higher than the median wage of $48,060 across all U.S. occupations.
Even within the skilled trades, electricians stand out for their pay. On average, electricians earn about 18% more than the broader group of construction trades workers. While plumbers have a similar median salary as electricians, other trades such as roofers and painters earn significantly less, with median wages of $50,030 and $47,700, respectively. Carpenters fall somewhere in between, with a median wage of $56,350.
Average Electrician Salary by State
Illinois offers the best compensation for electricians
Source: Construction Coverage analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data | Image Credit: Construction Coverage
Location plays a key role in the earning potential for electricians. Midwestern states, in particular, offer some of the highest wages when adjusted for cost of living, with Illinois leading the nation at an adjusted median annual wage of $93,910, followed by North Dakota at $85,860. While lower living costs in these states contribute to higher adjusted wages, industry mix and union strength are also significant factors.
For instance, Hawaii, despite being the second most expensive state, ranks third in electrician wages after cost-of-living adjustments. This is largely due to its top unionization rate, which drives wages higher. Similarly, Alaska, with above-average living costs, ranks sixth, thanks to its strong unions and a robust oil and gas industry that demands highly skilled electricians.
In contrast, Southern states generally offer lower wages for electricians, reflecting weaker unions and economies less reliant on industries that require skilled electrical work. Seven of the 10 worst-paying states for electricians are in the South.
The same factors are at play at the metro level, and accordingly, locations in Florida and Texas are overrepresented among the lowest-paying metropolitan areas for electricians, even when factoring in the states’ lower living costs. On the other hand, locations in Illinois—like Chicago, Decatur, and Champaign—stand out as offering some of the best compensation for the nation’s electricians.
Below is a breakdown of electrician wages for the top and bottom metropolitan statistical areas and states. The analysis was conducted by Construction Coverage, a website that provides construction software and insurance reviews, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information and complete results, see the original post The Best-Paying U.S. Cities for Electricians on Construction Coverage.
Highest-Paying Large Cities for Electricians
Highest-Paying States for Electricians
Originally published on constructioncoverage.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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