Where you live has a real effect on electrician pay. Cost of living, union density, and local demand all play into it. For current, state-by-state wage figures sourced to BLS data, see our full breakdown: Journeyman Electrician Salary by State.
National median wage: $63,190 (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). State-level figures vary and are covered in the linked article above rather than duplicated here, so this page always reflects the most current numbers.
What Drives State-to-State Differences
Union density, cost of living, and local demand are the biggest factors in why electrician pay varies by state. Areas with strong union representation and high construction demand tend to report higher wages, but the size of that gap varies by market and isn't a fixed percentage.
States With Strong Growth Outlooks
Career Path to Higher Earnings
Pay typically rises as electricians move from apprentice to journeyman to master electrician or contractor, though the exact dollar amounts at each stage vary widely by local market, union status, and specialty. Apprentice wages are commonly set as a percentage of the local journeyman rate that increases through the program; check your specific apprenticeship sponsor's published wage schedule for exact figures rather than relying on a national average.
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