In short
Electricians earned a median $63,190 a year in May 2025, about $30 an hour, according to BLS. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $42,640 and the top 10 percent more than $108,510. Apprentices start at a share of the journeyman rate, so first-year pay sits near the bottom of that range. Licenses, specialty work and overtime push pay up.
Yearly wages for electricians across the U.S., BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly figures divide by 2,080 hours, so overtime is not counted. New apprentices usually sit near or below the bottom-quarter line.
| Middle pay | $63,190 a year, roughly $30.38 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | High school or GED to start, then apprenticeship |
| People in the trade | About 821,000 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 9.2% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 72,700, counting retirements |
From the BLS Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.
Where electricians land on the ladder
| Stage | Where pay usually sits |
|---|---|
| First-year apprentice | Below the bottom 25 percent line ($49,430) |
| Final-year apprentice | Near the median |
| Licensed journeyman | Median to the top 25 percent ($83,940) |
| Master, foreman or industrial specialist | Top 25 percent and above |
What pays more
- Industrial and controls work: plants, data centers and process controls usually pay more than new home wiring.
- Union scale: in many cities the union inside wireman rate is above the local average, plus benefits.
- Licenses: a master license lets you pull permits and run jobs.
- Overtime: BLS wage figures leave out overtime, which can be a big share of pay on large projects.
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Straight answers
How much does an electrician make an hour?
The median works out to about $30 an hour. The top 10 percent earn more than about $52 an hour.
How much do electrician apprentices make?
Usually 40 to 50 percent of the journeyman rate to start, rising every six months or so. Try the apprentice pay calculator.
Can electricians make $100,000?
Yes. The top 10 percent earned more than $108,510 in May 2025, before overtime.
Is electrician pay growing?
BLS projects electrician jobs to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, with about 72,700 openings a year.