Electrician Hourly Wages - What is the Salary Range

Knowing the electrician hourly wages is very important for those aspiring to become electricians. Electricians provide electrical installation and repair services to businesses, private homes and industries. In some states, no formal education is required beyond high school diploma to become an electrician. However, electricians are required to pursue a four or five year apprenticeship program to be allowed to practice as electricians. There are technical and trade schools that offer coursework that is related to basic knowledge and safety principles for electricians.

It is important to note that the job of an electrician can be dangerous in some parts because they usually work with electrical systems that have high voltage. The environment where they work from can also have cramped, tight indoor spaces or outdoor space that exposes them to dangerous elements.

Wages of an electrician vary significantly on the basis of their experience, employment type and geographical location. However, there are is a common range for electricians on the basis of their location and qualification levels.

Apprentice electrician: An apprentice electrician can earn wages that range from 30% to 50% of the wages of a journeyman electrician. According to the Tennessee Valley Authority Electrician Apprentice program, an entry level electrician apprentice earns $36,450 annually. Per hour, an apprentice woman earns $20.88 in the IBEW Local Union 302 Apprentice Electrician program. In Iowa, the Sioux City Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee paid $10.62 per hour as the starting wages for electrician apprentice with health insurance family cover which is equivalent to about 40 percent of the wage of a journeyman electrician.

National salary: Salaries for electricians vary depending on the country or geographical location. For instance, an electrician working in the U.S on average earns $52,910 every year. On average, the wage of an electrician is $25.44 per hour. This is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of May 2011. Half of all electricians in the US reported that they had hourly wages ranging from $18.06 to $31.38 while the yearly salary ranges from $37,570 to $65,260. The electricians who earn the least salary receive $82,680 or even more each year. Electrician apprenticeships get between 40 percent and 50 percent of the rate that a fully licensed electrician earns.

Geographical variances: Even in the same state or country, electricians earn varying salaries and wages. For instance, in the United States, an electrician in New York earns an average of $70,680 every year; those in Illinois earn a salary of about $70,430 while those in Alaska the highest paid electrician earns $72,030 every year. This salary varies with that of electricians in other states and countries. There are states or countries that have electricians earning as little as $39,640 annually.

Industrial variances: Salary and wages of electricians vary depending on the industry they work for. For instance, electricians in the building equipment construction who comprises of the majority of the employed electricians on average receive a salary of about $52,600 annually. Those in the building of non-residential construction have a comparable salary of $52,910 annually. The government’s employed electricians earn on average $57,580 annually. On average, those working in the generation of electric power, distribution and transmission industry earn on average a salary of $59,150 annually. Among the highest paid electricians are those in the distribution of natural gas sector who earn an average of $75,030 per year. Those working in the business schools are reportedly the highest paid earning a salary of $79,250 annually.

Apart from these factors that determine the salary and hourly wage of electricians, the number of electricians working in a country or geographical location will also determine their pay.  As an aspiring electrician, it is important to know the electrician hourly wages and what is the salary range. This will enable you to make an informed career decision.