Becoming a journeyman electrician is a powerful career move, offering a blend of hands-on work, problem-solving, and significant earning potential. For those considering this skilled trade, one of the most pressing questions is: "What can I expect to earn?" While the answer varies, a qualified journeyman electrician can build a financially stable and rewarding career. This guide will illuminate the average journeyman electrician salary and the key factors that determine your income.
What Does a Journeyman Electrician Do?
A journeyman electrician is a skilled tradesperson who has completed a formal apprenticeship program and is licensed or certified by their state. They are qualified to work independently to install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Their responsibilities are vast and critical, including:
- Reading and interpreting blueprints and technical diagrams.
- Installing wiring, control, and lighting systems.
- Inspecting electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers.
- Identifying and repairing electrical problems using a variety of testing devices.
- Ensuring all work complies with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local building codes.
- Often, training and supervising apprentices who are just starting in the trade.
In short, a journeyman is the backbone of the electrical industry—a fully qualified professional trusted to power our world safely and efficiently.
Average Journeyman Electrician Salary
On average, a journeyman electrician in the United States can expect to earn an annual salary between $65,000 and $75,000. However, this is just a baseline, with the full range stretching from approximately $55,000 for those in lower-paying regions or with less experience, to over $95,000 for highly experienced professionals in specialized, high-demand fields.
Here’s a breakdown from leading salary and labor data sources:
- Salary.com reports that the median salary for a Journeyman Electrician in the U.S. is $68,367 per year as of early 2024, with a typical range falling between $60,088 and $77,157.
- Payscale estimates the average base salary at around $29.61 per hour, which translates to an annual salary of approximately $61,500 before overtime. Their data shows a total pay range, including bonuses and overtime, from $46,000 to $95,000.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides data for all electricians, including apprentices, journeymen, and masters. For May 2022 (the most recent comprehensive data), the median pay for electricians was $60,240 per year or $28.96 per hour. The top 10% of electricians earned more than $102,100. The BLS figure is a broad industry average, and a certified journeyman's salary is typically higher than this median.
*Note: Many electricians are paid hourly and have significant opportunities for overtime, which can substantially increase their annual income.*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your specific salary as a journeyman electrician isn’t set in stone. Several key factors can dramatically impact your earning potential.
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Level of Education and Certifications
While a four-year college degree isn't required, your level of training is paramount. A completed apprenticeship, which typically involves 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and over 500 hours of classroom instruction, is the gold standard. Beyond this, additional certifications can boost your value. Certifications in high-demand areas like fiber optics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), or specific solar energy systems can make you a more attractive candidate and justify a higher salary.
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Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most significant drivers of salary growth. A newly licensed journeyman is valuable, but an electrician with 10-15 years of experience has seen a wider range of complex problems and can work more efficiently.
- Entry-Level Journeyman (0-3 years): Typically earns at the lower end of the national range, around $55,000 to $65,000.
- Mid-Career Journeyman (4-9 years): Can expect to earn closer to the national average, from $65,000 to $75,000.
- Senior/Experienced Journeyman (10+ years): Often moves into supervisory roles or highly specialized work, commanding salaries of $80,000 to $95,000 or more.
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Geographic Location
Where you work matters—a lot. Salaries vary significantly between states and even between metropolitan and rural areas, largely due to differences in cost of living, union presence, and regional demand.
According to the BLS, the top-paying states for electricians include:
1. Illinois: Average annual salary of $89,970
2. District of Columbia: Average annual salary of $86,820
3. New York: Average annual salary of $86,410
4. Oregon: Average annual salary of $85,820
5. Alaska: Average annual salary of $84,950
Conversely, states in the Southeast and rural Midwest tend to have lower average salaries, though the lower cost of living can partially offset this difference.
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Company Type and Union Membership
The type of employer you work for plays a crucial role. Working for a large industrial contractor will almost always pay more than working for a small residential service company due to the complexity and scale of the work.
Furthermore, union membership is a major factor. Electricians who are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) often earn higher hourly wages and receive more comprehensive benefits packages, including pensions and healthcare. Non-union ("merit shop") roles may offer more flexibility or performance-based bonuses but can have lower base wages.
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Area of Specialization
Not all electrical work is the same. Specializing in a high-demand or high-risk niche can lead to a much higher salary.
- Industrial Electrician: Works in manufacturing plants, power plants, and other industrial facilities. This is often the highest-paid specialty due to the complexity of high-voltage systems and automation controls.
- Commercial Electrician: Focuses on office buildings, retail stores, and large-scale residential complexes. This is a large and stable field with solid earnings.
- Renewable Energy Technician: Specializes in solar panel and wind turbine installation and maintenance. This is a rapidly growing field with increasing earning potential.
- Lineman (High-Voltage): While sometimes considered a separate trade, these electricians work on the power grid itself and are among the highest earners due to the inherent danger and skill required.
Job Outlook
The future for journeyman electricians is bright. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for electricians will grow by 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
This growth is driven by several factors:
- The transition to clean energy is creating a surge in demand for electricians to install solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
- An aging power grid and buildings require constant maintenance and upgrades.
- As technology advances, more homes and businesses require complex wiring for smart systems and automation.
- A large number of current electricians are nearing retirement age, creating a strong demand for new, skilled workers to replace them.
This outlook suggests long-term job security and continued opportunities for career and salary growth.
Conclusion
A career as a journeyman electrician is a smart choice for individuals seeking a profession that is in high demand, mentally stimulating, and financially rewarding. While the national average salary provides a solid benchmark, your ultimate earning potential is in your hands.
By focusing on continuous learning, gaining diverse experience, and considering high-paying specializations and locations, you can build a career that not only meets but exceeds the average. For anyone looking to enter a stable and respected trade, the path of a journeyman electrician is an electrified route to success.