Considering a career as an inside wireman? You're exploring a path known for its stability, hands-on challenges, and significant earning potential. For skilled professionals, this trade offers more than just a job—it provides a lucrative and in-demand career. So, what can you actually expect to earn? While entry-level apprentices start with modest wages, a licensed journeyman inside wireman can expect to earn an average salary between $65,000 and $95,000 per year, with top earners in high-demand areas exceeding $120,000 annually.
This guide will break down the salary you can expect at every stage of your career and explore the key factors that will influence your total compensation package.
What Does an Inside Wireman Do?
Before we dive into the numbers, let's clarify the role. An inside wireman is a specialized electrician who installs, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs all electrical systems *inside* of buildings. Unlike outside linemen who work on the high-voltage distribution grid, inside wiremen focus on the wiring and electrical infrastructure within commercial, industrial, and large-scale residential structures.
Their responsibilities are critical and diverse, including:
- Installing lighting, power outlets, and control systems.
- Connecting machinery and equipment in industrial plants.
- Reading and interpreting complex blueprints and technical diagrams.
- Running conduit and pulling electrical wire.
- Installing and maintaining fire alarm systems, communication networks, and energy management systems.
- Ensuring all work complies with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local regulations.
It's a physically and mentally demanding job that requires precision, strong problem-solving skills, and a deep commitment to safety.
Average Inside Wireman Salary
The salary for an inside wireman varies widely based on several factors, but we can establish a solid baseline using data from authoritative sources.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups inside wiremen under the broader category of "Electricians." As of May 2023, the BLS reports the following national data for electricians:
- Median Pay: $60,240 per year or $28.96 per hour.
- Top 10% Earners: More than $102,940 per year.
- Bottom 10% Earners: Less than $39,180 per year.
While the BLS provides a great overview, salary aggregators offer data more specific to the "Inside Wireman" title, which often reflects the higher wages associated with specialized commercial and industrial work.
- Salary.com reports the average inside wireman salary in the United States is $70,178 per year, with a typical range falling between $61,794 and $79,936.
- Payscale indicates an average hourly wage for a Journeyman Electrician (a common title for a licensed wireman) of $30.15 per hour, with total pay ranging from $49,000 to $99,000 annually when overtime is included.
- Glassdoor places the estimated total pay for an Inside Wireman at $84,685 per year in the United States, with a likely range between $70,000 and $103,000.
Key takeaway: An apprentice starts at a lower training wage (often 40-50% of a journeyman's rate), but a fully qualified journeyman inside wireman can comfortably earn in the $65,000 to $95,000 range, with significant upward mobility.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your salary isn't a single, fixed number. It's a dynamic figure influenced by your choices, location, and expertise. Here are the most critical factors.
### Level of Education and Training
For an inside wireman, "education" almost exclusively refers to a formal apprenticeship. This is the single most important factor in establishing your career and long-term earning potential. A registered apprenticeship, often co-sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), is considered the gold standard.
- Apprenticeship: This is an "earn while you learn" model. Apprentices work full-time under the supervision of journeymen and attend supplemental classroom instruction. Apprentices receive scheduled pay raises as they accumulate on-the-job hours and complete classroom modules.
- Journeyman License: Upon completing an apprenticeship (typically 4-5 years), an individual becomes a journeyman wireman. This license is proof of expertise and immediately elevates earning power to the full scale for the region.
- Master Electrician: With additional years of experience and by passing a rigorous exam, a journeyman can become a master electrician. This status allows them to pull permits, own a contracting business, and supervise other electricians, commanding the highest salaries in the field.
### Years of Experience
Experience directly correlates with pay in the skilled trades. The career progression and its impact on salary generally look like this:
- Apprentice (0-5 Years): Starts at 40-50% of a journeyman’s wage, with increases every 6-12 months.
- Journeyman (5-10 Years): A newly-licensed journeyman earns the full union scale or competitive market rate. With 5+ years of experience, they are highly proficient, command respect, and are often tapped for more complex jobs.
- Senior/Foreman (10+ Years): Highly experienced wiremen can advance to foreman or general foreman roles, where they supervise crews, manage project logistics, and earn a premium above the journeyman rate.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. High-demand areas with a high cost of living and strong union presence typically offer the highest wages. According to the BLS (May 2023 data for Electricians), the top-paying states are:
1. Illinois: $88,910 (Annual Mean Wage)
2. District of Columbia: $86,050
3. Hawaii: $84,930
4. Oregon: $83,380
5. New York: $82,900
Conversely, states in the Southeast and rural Midwest tend to have lower average wages, though this is often offset by a lower cost of living. Researching the local IBEW wage scales in your target city is the best way to find precise local salary data.
### Company Type (Union vs. Non-Union)
The decision to join a union is one of the most significant financial choices an inside wireman will make.
- Union (IBEW): Inside wiremen who are members of the IBEW work for signatory contractors. Their wages are set by a collective bargaining agreement and are typically higher on an hourly basis. More importantly, union packages include comprehensive benefits like family health insurance, pensions, and annuity plans, which are not reflected in the hourly wage but add immense value to total compensation.
- Non-Union (Open Shop): Non-union contractors set their own wages based on market demand and employee skill. While the hourly rate might sometimes be competitive with the union scale, the benefits packages are often less robust. However, some prefer non-union shops for perceived flexibility or different career path opportunities.
### Area of Specialization
As technology evolves, so does the electrical trade. Developing expertise in a high-demand niche can significantly boost your value and pay. Key specializations for inside wiremen include:
- Industrial Controls: Working with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and motor controls in manufacturing and automation.
- Fire Alarm Systems: Installing and certifying life-saving fire alarm and suppression systems.
- Data & Telecommunications: Installing structured cabling for voice and data networks (low-voltage work).
- Renewable Energy: Specializing in the installation and commissioning of solar panel arrays and battery storage systems for commercial buildings.
Job Outlook
The future for skilled 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:
- New construction of homes and commercial buildings.
- The need to maintain and upgrade aging electrical systems in existing structures.
- The increasing adoption of alternative energy sources like solar and wind.
The BLS anticipates about 79,900 openings for electricians each year over the decade, many resulting from the need to replace workers who retire or transfer to different occupations. This consistent demand ensures job security and strong wage prospects for qualified individuals.
Conclusion
A career as an inside wireman is a demanding but exceptionally rewarding path for those with the right skills and work ethic. While an apprenticeship requires years of dedication, the payoff is a stable, well-compensated career with a clear trajectory for growth.
Your earning potential is not set in stone. By pursuing a formal apprenticeship, gaining years of on-the-job experience, choosing to work in a high-demand location, and potentially specializing in a technical niche, you can maximize your salary and build a prosperous future. For anyone looking for a career that combines technical skill with tangible results, the role of an inside wireman is one of the most powerful opportunities available in the skilled trades today.