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.
Home/By State/Maryland

BLS OEWS May 2025

Electrician Salary in Maryland 2026

Updated 22 June 2026

$73,490/yr median · $35.33/hr

State Median

$73k

vs. National

+$10k

Top 10%

$118k

COL-Adjusted

$65k

Electrician Salary Range in Maryland

The full wage spread for electricians (occupation 47-2111) in Maryland, from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%. All three figures are reported directly by the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (May 2025).

10th percentile

$46k

$46,450/yr

Lowest-paid 10%

Median (50th)

$73k

$73,490/yr

Typical electrician

90th percentile

$118k

$118,370/yr

Highest-paid 10%

$46,450$73,490 median$118,370

An electrician in the bottom 10% of Maryland earners makes about $46,450/yr, while the top 10% earn $118,370/yr or more — a range of $71,920. The 10th-percentile figure is a real BLS wage observation (it typically reflects apprentices and newly-licensed journeymen), distinct from the modelled apprentice-entry estimate shown in the experience table below.

Where Maryland Ranks

Maryland ranks #19 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $63,190 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Maryland pays $10,300 above the national average.

Maryland's cost-of-living index is 113 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $65,035/yr in national-average dollar terms. The high cost of living significantly reduces the real value of nominal wages.

Pay by Metro Area

Estimated median pay for the top 5 metropolitan areas in Maryland, modelled from the state median and regional cost differentials (not BLS metro estimates).

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Baltimore Metro$62,400-11.1k
Washington DC Suburbs (Montgomery, Prince George County)$64,800-8.7k
Annapolis$60,400-13.1k
Frederick$56,800-16.7k
Salisbury (Eastern Shore)$50,400-23.1k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$16 - $21/hr$33,000 - $44,000
Apprentice (Year 4)$23 - $30/hr$48,000 - $62,000
Journeyman$29 - $42/hr$60,000 - $87,000
Master Electrician$36 - $52/hr$75,000 - $108,000
Self-Employed Contractor$90 - $160/hr billed$85,000 - $220,000 net

Maryland Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityMaryland Department of Labor - State Board of Master Electricians
Journeyman RequirementMaryland does not issue a state Journeyman license. Apprentices typically complete a registered apprenticeship (IBEW-NECA JATC or IEC Chesapeake) of 8,000 hours OJT + 576 hours classroom. Some counties (Montgomery, Prince George) issue local journeyman cards. Maryland regulates only at the Master level statewide
Master RequirementMaryland Master Electrician (statewide): 7 years experience (minimum 2 as journeyman/equivalent) + pass Maryland Master Electrician exam administered by PSI Services
Fee$71 exam fee (PSI) + $25 application + $169 license issuance (Maryland DOL schedule)
ReciprocityMaryland reciprocates with West Virginia and some Delaware counties for master credential; case-by-case with other states

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

Union Presence in Maryland

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 24 (Baltimore), Local 26 (Washington DC, serves DC plus Maryland and Northern Virginia), Local 70 (Eastern Shore), Local 1900 (Calvert County / Bechtel sites)

Union share: approximately 28% of electricians in Maryland are union.

Union electricians in Maryland 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 Maryland

Maryland electricians benefit from federal building work (NIH Bethesda expansion, NSA Fort Meade, NASA Goddard), Johns Hopkins medical and research facility expansion in Baltimore, BWI Marshall airport modernisation, and the offshore wind staging port at Sparrows Point supporting US Wind and Orsted Maryland projects. IBEW Local 26's Washington DC scope extends across Montgomery and Prince George counties, giving Maryland workers access to federal prevailing-wage rates.

Major Employers in Maryland

BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric)Pepco (Exelon)Truland Group successorsM.C. DeanLimbach Holdings

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Maryland?
Electricians in Maryland earn a median of $73,490/yr ($35.33/hr) per BLS OEWS May 2025. Apprentices start at around $37,200/yr and top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $118,370/yr (these apprentice and top-end figures are estimates, not BLS).
What is the salary range for electricians in Maryland?
BLS OEWS May 2025 puts the wage range at $46,450/yr (10th percentile, lowest-paid 10%) to $118,370/yr (90th percentile, highest-paid 10%), with a median of $73,490/yr — a spread of $71,920.
How does Maryland rank for electrician pay?
Maryland ranks #19 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 113), the real purchasing power is $65,035/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Maryland?
Maryland does not issue a state Journeyman license. Apprentices typically complete a registered apprenticeship (IBEW-NECA JATC or IEC Chesapeake) of 8,000 hours OJT + 576 hours classroom. Some counties (Montgomery, Prince George) issue local journeyman cards. Maryland regulates only at the Master level statewide. For master level: Maryland Master Electrician (statewide): 7 years experience (minimum 2 as journeyman/equivalent) + pass Maryland Master Electrician exam administered by PSI Services.
Are union electricians better paid in Maryland?
Yes. IBEW Local 24 (Baltimore), Local 26 (Washington DC, serves DC plus Maryland and Northern Virginia), Local 70 (Eastern Shore), Local 1900 (Calvert County / Bechtel sites) operate in Maryland, with approximately 28% of electricians in Maryland 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 Maryland?
Maryland electricians benefit from federal building work (NIH Bethesda expansion, NSA Fort Meade, NASA Goddard), Johns Hopkins medical and research facility expansion in Baltimore, BWI Marshall airport modernisation, and the offshore wind staging port at Sparrows Point supporting US Wind and Orsted Maryland projects. IBEW Local 26's Washington DC scope extends across Montgomery and Prince George counties, giving Maryland workers access to federal prevailing-wage rates.

Related Pages

All StatesLicensing RequirementsJourneyman SalaryMaster Electrician SalaryUnion vs Non-Union

State 10th-percentile, median, and 90th-percentile (top 10%) wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (47-2111). COL index: MERIC 2026. Metro, apprentice, and contractor figures are modelled estimates (not BLS). IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.

Updated 2026-04-27