Electrician Pay Across Major U.S. Markets (2026)
Quick Answer
Journeyman electricians earn between $34/hr and $75/hr depending on market, with annual pay ranging from roughly $71,000 in lower-cost Sun Belt cities to $156,000 in San Francisco. Union markets in the Northeast and Pacific Coast pay the most. Open-shop markets in Texas, Arizona, and the Southeast pay less per hour but often offer more overtime. Foremen and general foremen add 10–25% on top of journeyman scale in most markets.
Why Electrician Pay Varies So Much Market to Market
If you're a journeyman electrician deciding where to work — or a foreman evaluating your next move — the market you're in can be worth $40,000 to $60,000 a year in take-home pay. That gap isn't random. It comes down to three things: local union agreements, cost of labor competition, and the type of work driving demand in that market.
Commercial and industrial electricians working union in gateway cities (San Francisco, New York, Chicago) operate under collective bargaining agreements that set base wages, benefits, and overtime rules. Workers in open-shop markets in Texas or the Southeast earn less per hour but may work more hours and face less dispatch uncertainty.
This article breaks down current pay across 12 major U.S. markets, compares union and non-union compensation, and explains what drives pay differences at each classification level — from apprentice to master electrician.
The pay gap between the highest-paying market (San Francisco) and the lowest-paying major market (Atlanta) is roughly $40–$45/hr for journeyman work — nearly $80,000–$90,000 per year.
Electrician Pay by Market: 2026 Snapshot
The figures below reflect current prevailing wages and market survey data for commercial and industrial electricians. Union markets reflect IBEW journeyman scale plus benefits. Non-union markets reflect competitive market rates.
| Market | Journeyman Hourly | Journeyman Annual | Foreman Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco / Bay Area | $62–$75/hr | $129K–$156K | $145K–$170K | Union scale; IBEW Local 6 |
| New York City | $60–$72/hr | $125K–$150K | $140K–$165K | IBEW Local 3; high COL |
| Chicago | $52–$62/hr | $108K–$129K | $120K–$145K | IBEW Local 134 |
| Los Angeles | $52–$65/hr | $108K–$135K | $125K–$150K | IBEW Local 11 |
| Seattle | $52–$63/hr | $108K–$131K | $122K–$148K | Strong commercial pipeline |
| Boston | $50–$62/hr | $104K–$129K | $118K–$140K | IBEW Local 103 |
| Las Vegas | $42–$54/hr | $87K–$112K | $100K–$125K | IBEW Local 357; casino/resort work |
| Houston | $38–$50/hr | $79K–$104K | $92K–$115K | Largely open-shop market |
| Denver | $38–$50/hr | $79K–$104K | $92K–$115K | Tight labor market |
| Dallas / Fort Worth | $36–$48/hr | $75K–$100K | $88K–$110K | Rapid industrial growth |
| Phoenix | $35–$46/hr | $73K–$96K | $85K–$108K | Large data center buildout |
| Atlanta | $34–$45/hr | $71K–$94K | $83K–$105K | Expanding industrial sector |
Annual figures assume 2,080 straight-time hours. Foreman figures assume 110–115% of journeyman scale. Benefits (health, pension, annuity) not included — add $8–$15/hr in total compensation for full union packages.
Annual figures assume 2,080 straight-time hours. Foreman figures assume 110–115% of journeyman scale. Benefits (health, pension, annuity) are not included in hourly figures above. Add $8–$15/hr in total compensation for full union packages.
In IBEW Local 3 (New York City), total compensation including benefits for a journeyman wireman exceeds $95/hr when pension, annuity, and health contributions are included.
Pay by Classification: Apprentice to Master Electrician
Your classification level is as important as your market. Here's how pay tracks across the career ladder.
| Classification | Hourly Range | Annual Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice — 1st Year | $18–$28/hr | $37K–$58K | 50–60% of journeyman scale (union) |
| Apprentice — 4th / 5th Year | $32–$48/hr | $67K–$100K | 80–90% of journeyman scale |
| Journeyman Wireman | $38–$75/hr | $79K–$156K | Wide range by market and union/open-shop status |
| Foreman | $45–$85/hr | $94K–$177K | Typically 110–115% of journeyman scale |
| General Foreman | $50–$92/hr | $104K–$191K | Oversees multiple foremen; project-based role |
| Master Electrician (field) | $55–$100/hr | $114K–$208K | State license required; often supervisory |
Annual figures assume 2,080 straight-time hours. Union apprentice scale percentages vary by local agreement.
A 5th-year apprentice in a top-tier IBEW local earns more than a journeyman wireman in many open-shop Southern markets as classification and market interact directly.
Union vs. Non-Union: Compensation Comparison
The union vs. non-union question is the most common pay comparison electricians face. Here's a direct breakdown.
| Category | Union (IBEW) | Non-Union / Open Shop | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly wage | $45–$75/hr | $28–$52/hr | Union higher in most major markets |
| Benefits package | Full: health, pension, annuity | Varies widely; often minimal | Union packages add $8–$15/hr in total comp |
| Overtime access | High — commercial/industrial projects | Moderate | Both paths offer OT on large projects |
| Job security | Dispatch through hall; layoff risk real | Depends on employer | Neither guarantees long-term stability |
| Apprenticeship | Joint apprenticeship (JATC) — paid | Non-union programs vary | Both lead to journeyman status |
| Top-end earnings | $155K+ in gateway markets | $100K–$120K open shop | Gap widens at foreman/superintendent level |
In Sun Belt markets, open-shop workers frequently log more overtime hours, which narrows the annual pay gap versus union counterparts.
The union premium is real in high-cost markets. In gateway cities, a union journeyman's total package with wages, pension, health and annuity often exceeds what open-shop workers earn by 30–40% when fully loaded. In Sun Belt markets, the gap is narrower, and open-shop workers frequently log more overtime hours, which closes the annual pay gap.
In markets like Houston and Dallas, open-shop electricians often work 50–55 hour weeks on industrial projects, pushing annual earnings above $90,000 even at lower base rates.
What Drives Pay in Each Market
Project Type Matters as Much as Location
Commercial, industrial, and civil work each carry different pay norms within the same market. Industrial shutdowns and maintenance contracts on refineries, chemical plants and data centers often pay above standard commercial rates due to hazard, shift work, or specialized certifications (QC, 10-hour OSHA, arc flash). Civil work (transit, infrastructure) typically tracks prevailing wage and can exceed standard commercial rates in Davis-Bacon jurisdictions.
Data Centers Are Reshaping Pay in Secondary Markets
Phoenix, Northern Virginia, and Dallas have seen significant wage pressure due to data center construction booms. Electricians with low-voltage, controls, or mission-critical experience command premiums of $3–$8/hr above standard journeyman scale in these markets. If you have that background, it's worth knowing and worth listing on your Skillit worker profile or resume.
Mission-critical and data center electricians in Phoenix, Dallas, and Northern Virginia are commanding $48–$60/hr in a market where standard journeyman scale sits at $35–$48/hr.
Shift Work and Overtime Premiums
Night shift, weekend shift, and overtime rates apply in most markets regardless of union status. Standard overtime is 1.5x after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week. Double-time kicks in on many union agreements at 10+ hours or on Sundays. In industrial markets with 24/7 operations, a journeyman earning $45/hr base can clear $120,000+ annually by working standard industrial schedules.
Before You Relocate: What to Check
Moving to a higher-paying market is a legitimate strategy, but do the math before committing.
Reciprocity agreements: IBEW locals have reciprocity rules. Traveling cards allow you to work in another local's jurisdiction, but check whether your hours count toward your home local's pension.
Cost of living offset: A San Francisco journeyman earning $140K takes home less than a Houston journeyman earning $95K when housing and taxes are factored in. Use a net pay calculator before comparing offers.
Market demand cycles: Industrial markets in Texas and the Gulf Coast run in cycles tied to energy prices. Strong in 2025–2026; historically volatile. Commercial work in gateway cities is more stable but harder to break into.
License portability: Master electrician licenses are state-specific. If you hold one, verify reciprocity before assuming you can work in a supervisory capacity in a new state.
Per diem and travel pay: Many industrial contractors offer $50–$90/day in per diem for travel assignments. This is tax-advantaged income that can significantly change total annual compensation. Factor it in.
Per diem on a 6-month industrial assignment at $75/day adds roughly $13,500 in tax-advantaged income — equivalent to a $2–$3/hr wage increase at standard journeyman hours.
FAQ: Electrician Pay by Market
What does a journeyman electrician make per hour in the U.S.?
Nationally, journeyman electricians earn between $34 and $75 per hour depending on market and union status. The median is roughly $46–$50/hr. Gateway union markets (San Francisco, New York, Chicago) sit at the top of that range; open-shop markets in the South and Mountain West sit lower.
Which U.S. city pays electricians the most?
San Francisco and New York City consistently lead for both hourly and annual pay. IBEW journeymen in San Francisco earn $62–$75/hr base, with total compensation packages exceeding $90/hr when benefits are included. New York City's IBEW Local 3 is comparable. Both cities have high costs of living that partially offset the wage premium.
Do union electricians make more than non-union electricians?
In most major markets, yes — especially when total compensation (wages + health + pension + annuity) is compared. Union journeymen in gateway markets earn 30–40% more in total compensation than open-shop counterparts. In Sun Belt markets, the gap is narrower. Non-union workers in high-overtime industrial environments can close the gap through hours worked.
What does an electrician foreman make?
Electrician foreman pay is typically 110–115% of journeyman scale in union markets, and negotiated directly in open-shop environments. In major markets, foremen earn $45–$85/hr, or $94,000–$177,000 annually at standard hours. General foremen add another 10–15% on top of foreman scale.
How much does an apprentice electrician make?
First-year IBEW apprentices typically start at 50–60% of journeyman scale — roughly $18–$28/hr depending on the local. Pay increases with each apprenticeship year. By the 4th and 5th years, apprentices earn 80–90% of journeyman scale, often $32–$48/hr. Non-union apprentice programs vary widely.
Is it worth moving to a higher-paying market as an electrician?
It depends on the cost-of-living offset, your union reciprocity status, and whether you have in-demand specializations. A worker moving from Atlanta ($45/hr) to San Francisco ($68/hr) gets a significant wage bump, but San Francisco's housing costs and California taxes can absorb much of the gain. Industrial travel work — going where the work is and collecting per diem — often produces better net income than relocating to an expensive market.
What electrician specializations pay the most?
Mission-critical and data center work, industrial controls, high-voltage transmission, and energy storage systems (battery backup, solar interconnect) command the highest premiums. Electricians with these specializations earn $3–$15/hr above standard journeyman scale in most markets. Certifications that support these specializations including NFPA 70E (arc flash), low-voltage licenses, and specific manufacturer training directly increase pay.
How does prevailing wage affect electrician pay on public projects?
Davis-Bacon Act requirements on federally funded construction projects require contractors to pay the locally prevailing wage, which is often set at or above union scale. This means electricians on public transit, infrastructure, and federal building projects may earn more than on private commercial jobs in the same market, regardless of union status. Check prevailing wage determinations for your county before pricing out a project or accepting an offer.
Know What You're Worth — Build Your Skillit Profile
The market data above is a benchmark. Your actual earning power depends on your classification, specializations, certifications, and the markets where you have experience and connections.
Skillit's worker profile lets you list all of it — your trade, your classification history, your certifications, and the markets where you've worked — so commercial and industrial contractors can find you when they need your specific skills.
Build your free Skillit profile and get in front of contractors hiring in your market.
Skillit is America's largest database of vetted craft and field professionals. Contractors hiring electricians for commercial, industrial, and civil projects use Skillit to find workers by trade, classification, market, and certification. Your profile is your record. Build it once and let it work for you.
