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 Nevada 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$59,800/yr average · $28.75/hr

State Median

$60k

vs. National

$2k

Top 10%

$90k

COL-Adjusted

$59k

Where Nevada Ranks

Nevada ranks #15 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Nevada pays $1,790 below the national average.

Nevada's cost-of-living index is 102 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $58,627/yr in national-average dollar terms. Cost of living is near the national average.

Pay by Metro Area

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

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Las Vegas-Henderson Metro$61,200++1.4k
Reno-Sparks$60,400++0.6k
Carson City$56,800-3.0k
Laughlin / Pahrump$52,400-7.4k
Elko$64,800++5.0k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$17 - $22/hr$35,000 - $46,000
Apprentice (Year 4-5)$25 - $33/hr$52,000 - $69,000
Journeyman$31 - $44/hr$64,000 - $91,000
Master Electrician (Lic Qualifier)$38 - $54/hr$79,000 - $112,000
Self-Employed Contractor (C-2)$95 - $170/hr billed$95,000 - $240,000 net

Nevada Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityNevada State Contractors Board (NSCB)
Journeyman RequirementNevada has no state Journeyman Electrician license. Workers commonly hold Clark County or Washoe County Journeyman cards (separate exams). Most require 8,000 hours documented OJT through registered apprenticeship
Master RequirementNevada C-2 Electrical Contractor license (NSCB): 4 years experience as foreman or higher in last 10 years + pass NSCB Trade and Business and Law exams + financial-capacity proof + bond
Fee$300 application + $80 trade exam + $80 law exam (NSCB fee schedule)
ReciprocityLimited; Nevada NSCB has bilateral arrangements with Arizona, California, and Utah for some contractor classifications (verify with NSCB)

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

Union Presence in Nevada

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 357 (Las Vegas), Local 401 (Reno), Local 396 (line/utility outside)

Union share: approximately 33% of electricians in Nevada are union, with Las Vegas above 45%.

Union electricians in Nevada 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 Nevada

Nevada electricians benefit from sustained Las Vegas Strip construction (Fontainebleau opened 2023, Hard Rock Sahara rebuild, MSG Sphere ongoing maintenance), Tesla Gigafactory continued expansion in Sparks, lithium-ion battery and rare-earth processing plants in Northern Nevada, and military electrical work at Nellis AFB and Naval Air Station Fallon. Elko-area gold mining adds industrial electrical demand at premium rates with remote-site lodging.

Major Employers in Nevada

Helix Electric (Nevada office)Bombard ElectricCupertino Electric (Tesla Gigafactory)NV EnergySturgeon Electric

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Nevada?
Electricians in Nevada earn $59,800/yr ($28.75/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $38,400/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $90,400/yr.
How does Nevada rank for electrician pay?
Nevada ranks #15 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 102), the real purchasing power is $58,627/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Nevada?
Nevada has no state Journeyman Electrician license. Workers commonly hold Clark County or Washoe County Journeyman cards (separate exams). Most require 8,000 hours documented OJT through registered apprenticeship. For master level: Nevada C-2 Electrical Contractor license (NSCB): 4 years experience as foreman or higher in last 10 years + pass NSCB Trade and Business and Law exams + financial-capacity proof + bond.
Are union electricians better paid in Nevada?
Yes. IBEW Local 357 (Las Vegas), Local 401 (Reno), Local 396 (line/utility outside) operate in Nevada, with approximately 33% of electricians in Nevada are union, with Las Vegas above 45%. 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 Nevada?
Nevada electricians benefit from sustained Las Vegas Strip construction (Fontainebleau opened 2023, Hard Rock Sahara rebuild, MSG Sphere ongoing maintenance), Tesla Gigafactory continued expansion in Sparks, lithium-ion battery and rare-earth processing plants in Northern Nevada, and military electrical work at Nellis AFB and Naval Air Station Fallon. Elko-area gold mining adds industrial electrical demand at premium rates with remote-site lodging.

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