What does an electrician do?
- Read blueprints and technical diagrams to plan wiring and circuits.
- Install wiring, outlets, lighting, panels and control systems.
- Find and fix electrical problems using testing equipment.
- Follow electrical codes so the work is safe and passes inspection.
Where do electricians work?
- New homes and renovations
- Offices, stores, schools and hospitals
- Factories, plants and other industrial sites
- On job sites, often on ladders, in attics or in tight spaces
Is a career as an electrician right for you?
It could be a good fit if:
- You like solving problems and working with your hands.
- You're careful and like getting the details right.
- You want a skill that almost every building needs.
How to become an electrician
Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship that typically lasts 4 or 5 years: paid, on-the-job training under a licensed electrician, plus classroom instruction. Some start at a trade school first. Each state sets its own licensing rules.
- 1
Learner
Learning the basics in high school, a trade school, a training program or a pre-apprenticeship.
- 2
Apprentice
Working under a licensed professional while taking classroom training. Apprentices are paid while they learn.
- 3
Journeyman (journey level)
Licensed to do the work on your own, usually after years of apprenticeship hours and passing an exam.
- 4
Master
The top license in most trades. Masters can pull permits, supervise others and often run their own business.
Each state sets its own licensing rules, hours and exams. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.
How much do electricians make?
The median pay for electricians in the U.S. was $63,190 a year in May 2025, and most earned between $42,640 to $108,510 a year. Median pay describes the whole trade, not a first-year wage: pay usually rises with experience, licenses and specialty.
Electrician pay by state
| State | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| United States | $63,190 |
| Alabama | $55,690 |
| Alaska | $89,440 |
| Arizona | $61,060 |
| Arkansas | $49,070 |
| California | $76,160 |
| Colorado | $62,230 |
| Connecticut | $77,540 |
| Delaware | $63,700 |
| District of Columbia | $78,970 |
| Florida | $57,250 |
| Georgia | $58,320 |
| Hawaii | $96,460 |
| Idaho | $63,000 |
| Illinois | $99,560 |
| Indiana | $68,490 |
| Iowa | $60,860 |
| Kansas | $65,860 |
| Kentucky | $59,720 |
| Louisiana | $61,540 |
| Maine | $75,380 |
| Maryland | $73,490 |
| Massachusetts | $79,420 |
| Michigan | $76,270 |
| Minnesota | $78,160 |
| Mississippi | $60,860 |
| Missouri | $65,410 |
| Montana | $76,760 |
| Nebraska | $60,820 |
| Nevada | $73,570 |
| New Hampshire | $62,840 |
| New Jersey | $77,250 |
| New Mexico | $58,390 |
| New York | $78,750 |
| North Carolina | $56,800 |
| North Dakota | $65,710 |
| Ohio | $64,700 |
| Oklahoma | $61,010 |
| Oregon | $101,310 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,600 |
| Rhode Island | $74,090 |
| South Carolina | $58,740 |
| South Dakota | $61,390 |
| Tennessee | $61,090 |
| Texas | $58,570 |
| Utah | $62,000 |
| Vermont | $63,430 |
| Virginia | $62,900 |
| Washington | $95,220 |
| West Virginia | $64,810 |
| Wisconsin | $76,540 |
| Wyoming | $76,120 |
Job outlook for electricians
U.S. employment of electricians is projected to change by +9% (much faster than average) from 2025 to 2035, with about 72,700 openings each year on average. There were 821,000 electrician jobs in the U.S. in 2025.
Where can a career as an electrician lead?
A trade isn't a job, it's a career with branches. Here's where electricians commonly go next.
Specialties
- New constructionInstalling electrical systems in newly built homes, businesses and factories.
- Maintenance and repairMaintaining and repairing electrical equipment in existing buildings, which BLS notes is often more complicated than new installation.
Leadership and other roles
- Supervisor or foremanElectricians may advance to supervisor or to other roles in project management.
- Project managerPlanning, coordinating, budgeting and supervising construction projects from start to finish. Firms sometimes hire managers with many years of experience in a construction trade.
- EstimatorWorking out the time, money, materials and labor a job needs. Workers with several years of construction experience sometimes qualify without a degree.
- Electrical inspectorExamining installed electrical systems to make sure they meet the codes and work properly. Employers may prefer applicants with experience in a construction trade.
Owning a business
- Contractor or business ownerRunning your own electrical business. BLS counts 7% of electricians as self-employed (2025). The license needed is set by each state; see the business license in your state guide.
Related trades
Things to know
- Median pay describes the whole trade, not a first-year wage. Pay rises with experience and each license you earn.
- The work carries real electrical safety risk, which is why apprentices train under licensed electricians.
- Overtime is common, and schedules can include evenings and weekends.
Electrician FAQ
What does an electrician do?
Electricians install, maintain and repair the wiring and electrical systems in homes, businesses and industrial sites. Typical work includes: read blueprints and technical diagrams to plan wiring and circuits; install wiring, outlets, lighting, panels and control systems; find and fix electrical problems using testing equipment; follow electrical codes so the work is safe and passes inspection.
How do you become an electrician?
Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship that typically lasts 4 or 5 years: paid, on-the-job training under a licensed electrician, plus classroom instruction. Some start at a trade school first. Each state sets its own licensing rules.
How much do electricians make?
The median pay for electricians in the U.S. was $63,190 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025)). Most earn between $42,640 to $108,510 a year. Pay varies by state, experience and specialty.
Are electricians in demand?
U.S. employment of electricians is projected to change by +9% (much faster than average) from 2025 to 2035, with about 72,700 job openings each year on average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Which states pay electricians the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest-paying states for electricians were Oregon ($101,310), Illinois ($99,560), Hawaii ($96,460), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Construction Managers
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Cost Estimators
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Construction and Building Inspectors
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians, Work Environment
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians, Similar Occupations
Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wayforge is a career-planning tool, not an official licensing source; always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.