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 Maryland 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$58,600/yr average · $28.17/hr

State Median

$59k

vs. National

$3k

Top 10%

$89k

COL-Adjusted

$52k

Where Maryland Ranks

Maryland ranks #17 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Maryland pays $2,990 below 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 $51,858/yr in national-average dollar terms. The high cost of living significantly reduces the real value of nominal wages.

Pay by Metro Area

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

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Baltimore Metro$62,400++3.8k
Washington DC Suburbs (Montgomery, Prince George County)$64,800++6.2k
Annapolis$60,400++1.8k
Frederick$56,800-1.8k
Salisbury (Eastern Shore)$50,400-8.2k

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 $58,600/yr ($28.17/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $37,200/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $88,800/yr.
How does Maryland rank for electrician pay?
Maryland ranks #17 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 113), the real purchasing power is $51,858/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

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

Updated 2026-04-27