Electricians
SOC code 47-2111 · O*NET-SOC 47-2111.00 · Medium preparation needed · Skilled trades
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth and numerous job openings for this occupation
Electricians are paid to learn: a registered apprenticeship combines a wage from day one with classroom hours, ending in a journeyman licence. The trade is licensed state by state, and the top of the pay range typically belongs to supervisors, specialists and contractors running their own crews.
Electricians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$63,190
a year
Hourly
$30.38
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$71,490
$34.37 per hour
Middle 50%
$49,430 – $83,940
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$42,640 – $108,510
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
757,220
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $42,640
- $20.50/hr
- 25th percentile
- $49,430
- $23.76/hr
- Median percentile
- $63,190
- $30.38/hr
- 75th percentile
- $83,940
- $40.36/hr
- 90th percentile
- $108,510
- $52.17/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+9%
Growing much faster than average
818,700
jobs in 2024
896,100
projected for 2034
About 77,400 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does an electrician do?
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
- Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
- Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
- Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
- Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
- Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
- Maintain current electrician's license or identification card to meet governmental regulations.
- Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.
How to become an electrician
Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 62% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Secondary Certificate62%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)31%
- Less than a High School Diploma2%
- Some College Courses2%
Common questions
How much does an electrician earn?
The national median is $63,190 a year. The full range runs from $42,640 at the 10th percentile to $108,510 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an electrician without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is electrician in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 9% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.4/5
- Speaking3.4/5
- Critical Thinking3.4/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
- Mechanical3.4/5
- Mathematics3.4/5
- Design3.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
- Public Safety and Security2.9/5
- Psychology2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Troubleshooting, Repairing, Installation, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making.