Instead, factors such as the combination of industries and union strength may be the key factors driving electricians' salaries. For example, Alaska, the fourth highest-paying state for electricians, has one of the highest union rates in the country, along with a large oil and gas extraction industry that requires highly qualified electricians to keep equipment running safely and efficiently. The highest-paid states in the Midwest also have stronger unions and manufacturing-driven economies that rely on qualified industrial electricians. Meanwhile, lower-wage states in the South have much weaker unions and economies are more likely to be driven by agriculture or other industries where electricians' services are less critical.
Among the 15 states that pay electricians the lowest, roughly half are in the South. Below is a complete cost-of-living wage breakdown for electricians in more than 300 metropolitan areas (grouped by size) and in all 50 states. The analysis was conducted by Construction Coverage researchers using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Department of State and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics UU. For more information, see the methodology section. Read on as we delve into the world of electricians, we explore the highest-paying electrical jobs in the U.S.
Department of State and we are looking at other interesting career options. Whether you're attracted to practical work or enjoy the technical aspects of design, there's an electrical career that's perfectly suited to your skills and interests. The researchers ranked metropolitan areas based on the average annual wage adjusted for cost of living of electricians. CBT's Electrical Technology program prepares you for bachelor's exams and equips you with the skills needed to fill several electrician positions.
Despite future growth opportunities, one disadvantage of a career as an electrician is that employment in the profession is closely related to wider economic trends. Electricians can enter this field without a four-year degree and can instead opt for a less expensive professional education or apprenticeship that allows them to earn money while honing their skills. Similarly, the employment of electricians declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has since shown signs of recovery. The strength of the electrician profession is not uniform across all demographic groups, and the biggest gap in this regard is the gender gap.
For electricians who bid for large projects, having the right electrical takeoff software and estimation software is a must to create accurate cost estimates. For anyone looking for a promising career option with plenty of opportunities in the coming decades, becoming an electrician would be a good option. On the other hand, Illinois locations such as Chicago, Peoria, Decatur and Champaign stand out for offering some of the best compensation for electricians in the country. In the event of a tie, the place with the highest unadjusted average annual wage for electricians ranked higher.
When the economy is booming, the demand for electricians increases with increased activity in industry and especially in construction.
