SOC 47-2111.00Bright outlook

    Electricians

    Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.

    Median pay
    $63,190
    Growth
    +9.2%
    Much faster than average
    Openings a year
    72,700
    Typical education
    High school diploma

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $42,640
    Median
    $63,190
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $108,510
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    757,220 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems and equipment while ensuring compliance with safety codes. The career offers a median annual pay of $63,190, with opportunities in construction, maintenance, and specialized systems.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What electricians do

    Job Zone 3: Medium preparation

    Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

    Usually vocational training, an associate degree or related experience.

    What the work is like

    Electricians spend their days working with electrical wiring, fixtures, and control systems. This is a highly realistic career that requires performing physical activities, handling materials, and inspecting equipment to ensure safety and functionality. On any given day, these professionals gather information, plan their work, and monitor their surroundings to maintain public safety and security.

    Success in this field relies on strong troubleshooting, repairing, and critical thinking skills. Electricians must use mathematics, mechanical knowledge, and building and construction principles to solve complex problems. Because they often coordinate with others and serve clients, they need strong communication skills, active listening, and a customer service orientation. Key work styles for this job include dependability, cautiousness, and high attention to detail.

    How to get there

    To enter this field, individuals typically need a high school diploma. Many people prepare through vocational training, an associate degree, or related practical experience. Students often major in electrical and power transmission installation programs.

    While some states list a license for this work, professionals can also earn various industry certifications to demonstrate their skills. Available certifications include Greenlee credentials in Basic Electrical Installation, Advanced Conduit Bending, Basic Conduit Bending, and 3-Phase Sequencing and Motor Rotation. Other options include becoming a Certified Electrical Inspector - Residential through the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, or a Certified Lighting Controls Professional through the International Association of Lighting Management Companies.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for electricians is $63,190. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% earning less than $42,640 and the highest 10% earning more than $108,510. The field employs 757,220 people. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 9.2%, which is much faster than average. This growth is expected to result in 72,700 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    100 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    28 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    4 / 100
    Social (S)
    5 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    14 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    52 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RCI. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Performing General Physical Activities
    93
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    91
    Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
    88
    Getting Information
    87
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    86
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    84
    Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    83
    Handling and Moving Objects
    82
    Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
    81
    Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    80
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Troubleshooting
    • Repairing
    • Active Listening
    • Critical Thinking
    • Speaking
    • Active Learning
    • Installation
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Complex Problem Solving

    Knowledge

    • Building and Construction
    • Administration and Management
    • Mechanical
    • Mathematics
    • Design
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Psychology
    • English Language
    • Production and Processing

    Abilities

    • Near Vision
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Information Ordering
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Visual Color Discrimination
    • Extent Flexibility

    Work styles

    • Dependability
    • Attention to Detail
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Perseverance
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Self-Control
    • Adaptability
    • Self-Confidence

    Also called

    Airport Electrician · Antenna Installer · Antenna Rigger · Commercial Electrician · Conduit Installer · Conduit Mechanic · Construction Electrician · Control Electrician · Conventional System Lightning Protection Technician · Diesel Electrician

    Career pathway

    From your interests to electricians

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Electricians$63,190 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Alpena Community College logo
      Alpena Community College

      Alpena, MI · Electrical and Power Transmission Installers · Associate

      1 yr after
      $59,252
      4 yrs after
      $108,690
      Median debt
      $9,564
    2. 2Texas State Technical College logo
      Texas State Technical College

      Waco, TX · Electrical and Power Transmission Installers · Associate

      1 yr after
      $78,758
      4 yrs after
      $107,186
      Median debt
      $9,168
    3. 3Richmond Community College logo
      Richmond Community College

      Hamlet, NC · Electrical and Power Transmission Installers · Associate

      1 yr after
      $71,836
      4 yrs after
      $102,948
      Median debt
      Not reported
    4. 4
      Ivy Tech Community College

      Indianapolis, IN · Electrical and Power Transmission Installers · Associate

      1 yr after
      $85,737
      4 yrs after
      $93,860
      Median debt
      $5,483
    5. 5Minnesota State Community and Technical College logo
      Minnesota State Community and Technical College

      Fergus Falls, MN · Electrical and Power Transmission Installers · Associate

      1 yr after
      $63,636
      4 yrs after
      $90,982
      Median debt
      $12,000
    6. 6State Technical College of Missouri logo
      State Technical College of Missouri

      Linn, MO · Electrical and Power Transmission Installers · Associate

      1 yr after
      $61,782
      4 yrs after
      $90,503
      Median debt
      $12,000
    7. 7
      Metropolitan Community College Area-Nebraska

      Omaha, NE · Electrical and Power Transmission Installers · Associate

      1 yr after
      $77,958
      4 yrs after
      $90,225
      Median debt
      $5,500
    8. 8Dakota County Technical College logo
      Dakota County Technical College

      Rosemount, MN · Electrical and Power Transmission Installers · Associate

      1 yr after
      $55,089
      4 yrs after
      $82,544
      Median debt
      $12,000

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What electricians may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work. Showing 12 of 19.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Electrician

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    46 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about electricians

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for electricians?

    People in this occupation are also called commercial electricians, construction electricians, control electricians, and conduit installers. Other titles include airport electricians, diesel electricians, and conventional system lightning protection technicians.

    What is the job outlook for this career?

    The field is expected to grow much faster than average, with a projected employment increase of 9.2% from 2025 to 2035. This growth will generate about 72,700 job openings every year.

    What certifications can an electrician earn?

    Electricians can obtain certifications such as the Certified Electrical Inspector - Residential or the Certified Lighting Controls Professional. Technical certifications are also available in conduit bending, electrical installation, and motor rotation.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.