Independent salary reference. Not affiliated with BLS, IBEW, NECA, or any electrical contractor. All wage figures cite the source; individual earnings vary by employer, certifications, and market.
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BLS OES May 2024

Electrician Salary in Georgia 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$50,200/yr average · $24.13/hr

State Median

$50k

vs. National

$11k

Top 10%

$79k

COL-Adjusted

$54k

Where Georgia Ranks

Georgia ranks #34 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Georgia pays $11,390 below the national average.

Georgia's cost-of-living index is 93 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $53,978/yr in national-average dollar terms. The below-average cost of living means electricians here retain more purchasing power than the nominal wage suggests.

Pay by Metro Area

BLS OES May 2024 MSA-level data. Top 5 metropolitan areas in Georgia.

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Atlanta Metro$56,400++6.2k
Savannah$50,800++0.6k
Augusta$47,200-3.0k
Macon$44,800-5.4k
Columbus$43,600-6.6k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$13 - $17/hr$27,000 - $35,000
Apprentice (Year 4)$18 - $23/hr$37,000 - $48,000
Journeyman (Employee)$24 - $34/hr$50,000 - $71,000
Master Electrician (Employee)$30 - $42/hr$62,000 - $87,000
Self-Employed Contractor$65 - $130/hr billed$60,000 - $170,000 net

Georgia Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityGeorgia Secretary of State - Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (ECLB)
Journeyman Requirement4 years (8,000 hours) OJT + pass journeyman exam (administered by PSI Exams); $65 exam fee
Master Requirement2 years as licensed journeyman + pass master electrician exam; $65 exam fee. Required for electrical contractor license.
Fee$65 exam fee for both journeyman and master exams (PSI Exams on behalf of ECLB)
ReciprocityGeorgia participates in an SE states reciprocity compact (NC, SC, LA, MS, AL); verify specific states with ECLB

See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing

Union Presence in Georgia

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 613 (Atlanta), Local 508 (Savannah), Local 1579 (Augusta)

Union share: approximately 10% of electricians in Georgia are union.

Union electricians in Georgia typically earn 20-35% more in total compensation than non-union electricians, when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.

Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis

Job Outlook in Georgia

Georgia benefits from one of the most active corporate relocation and data center markets in the Southeast. The Atlanta metro is a top-five data center market nationally. Electric vehicle manufacturing (Rivian in Jefferson, Hyundai IONIQ in Savannah) is creating significant industrial electrical demand. Georgia Power's nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle created years of high-voltage electrical employment.

Major Employers in Georgia

Georgia Power / Southern CompanyBrasfield & Gorrie (electrical subs)Holder ConstructionIEC Georgia membersRosendin Electric (Atlanta office)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Georgia?
Electricians in Georgia earn $50,200/yr ($24.13/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $32,000/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $79,200/yr.
How does Georgia rank for electrician pay?
Georgia ranks #34 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 93), the real purchasing power is $53,978/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Georgia?
4 years (8,000 hours) OJT + pass journeyman exam (administered by PSI Exams); $65 exam fee. For master level: 2 years as licensed journeyman + pass master electrician exam; $65 exam fee. Required for electrical contractor license..
Are union electricians better paid in Georgia?
Yes. IBEW Local 613 (Atlanta), Local 508 (Savannah), Local 1579 (Augusta) operate in Georgia, with approximately 10% of electricians in Georgia are union. Union electricians earn 20-35% more in total compensation when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
What is the job outlook for electricians in Georgia?
Georgia benefits from one of the most active corporate relocation and data center markets in the Southeast. The Atlanta metro is a top-five data center market nationally. Electric vehicle manufacturing (Rivian in Jefferson, Hyundai IONIQ in Savannah) is creating significant industrial electrical demand. Georgia Power's nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle created years of high-voltage electrical employment.

Related Pages

Source: BLS OES May 2024 (47-2111), MERIC 2026 COL Index, IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.