Salary Outlook
This can be a lucrative career. In 2013, the median wage for an electrician was $50,510. The highest-paid earned north of $80,000, while the lowest-paid electricians earned around $30,000 that year. An apprentice usually makes between 30 percent and 50 percent less than someone who is fully trained. The best-paying industries include motion pictures (where electricians are known as gaffers) and natural gas distribution. The best-paying cities include San Francisco; Oakland, California; and New York City.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | $44,610 |
| 2006 | $46,080 |
| 2008 | $49,390 |
| 2010 | $51,450 |
| 2012 | $53,030 |
Average Electrician Pay vs. Other Best Jobs
The mean salary for an electrician was $53,560 in 2013, more than that of a carpenter ($44,980) and construction worker ($35,020). Construction managers, however, earn far more than electricians, with an average salary of $92,700 a year. Cost estimators earn a mid-level salary of $63,660.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager | $84,410 |
| Cost Estimator | $59,460 |
| Electrician | $50,510 |
| Carpenter | $40,500 |
| Construction Worker | $30,460 |
Best Paying Cities for Electricians
The highest paid in the electrician profession work in the metropolitan areas of Rockford, Illinois, San Francisco, and Fairbanks, Arkansas. The Oakland, California area also pays well, as does the city of New York City.
Rockford, Illinois
The average salary of an electrician working in Rockford, Illinois is $75,250.
San Francisco
The average salary of an electrician working in San Francisco is $83,230.
Fairbanks, Arkansas
The average salary of an electrician working in Fairbanks, Arkansas is $76,940.
Oakland, California
The average salary of an electrician working in Oakland, California is $79,950.
New York City
The average salary of an electrician working in New York City is $77,870.
How much do electricians make in your city?
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Last updated by Casey Quinlan.
$32,890 Average Salary
