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 New Jersey 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$67,200/yr average · $32.31/hr

State Median

$67k

vs. National

+$6k

Top 10%

$102k

COL-Adjusted

$54k

Where New Jersey Ranks

New Jersey ranks #9 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). New Jersey pays $5,610 above the national average.

New Jersey's cost-of-living index is 124 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $54,194/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 New Jersey.

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Newark Metro$73,600++6.4k
Jersey City / Hudson County$76,800++9.6k
Trenton-Princeton$64,800-2.4k
Atlantic City$58,400-8.8k
Camden / South Jersey$62,400-4.8k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$18 - $24/hr$37,000 - $50,000
Apprentice (Year 4-5)$26 - $36/hr$54,000 - $75,000
Journeyman (Employee)$32 - $46/hr$67,000 - $96,000
Master Electrician (Employee)$40 - $56/hr$83,000 - $116,000
Self-Employed Contractor$95 - $175/hr billed$95,000 - $260,000 net

New Jersey Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityNew Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
Journeyman RequirementNew Jersey does not issue a state journeyman electrician license. Apprentices register through the NJ Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship and serve under a licensed Electrical Contractor.
Master RequirementNJ Electrical Contractor license required for any contracting work: 5 years of practical experience under a licensed electrical contractor, pass the Business and Law exam and the Electrical Contractor exam (PSI Exams), $100,000 liability insurance plus $1,000 bond.
Fee$200 application + $50 exam fee; $360 initial 2-year license
ReciprocityLimited; some bilateral agreements - verify with the Board

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

Union Presence in New Jersey

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 102 (Northern NJ - Paterson), Local 351 (Southern NJ / Atlantic), Local 269 (Trenton / Mercer), Local 400 (Asbury Park / Monmouth), Local 456 (New Brunswick / Central Jersey)

Union share: approximately 34% of electricians in New Jersey are union, among the highest rates in the Northeast.

Union electricians in New Jersey 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 New Jersey

New Jersey electricians benefit from the NYC metro spillover (NJ Transit, Hudson rail tunnels, Newark / Jersey City high-rise construction) plus a strong state push on offshore wind (Ocean Wind, Atlantic Shores) requiring port and substation electrical work. Pharma and biotech in Central Jersey (Princeton, New Brunswick, Bridgewater) drive steady commercial demand. The Meadowlands data center cluster (Carlstadt, Secaucus, Edison) is expanding through 2030.

Major Employers in New Jersey

PSE&G (Public Service Electric and Gas)Atlantic City ElectricJersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L)Skanska USA (NJ electrical subs)Turner Construction (NJ electrical subs)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in New Jersey?
Electricians in New Jersey earn $67,200/yr ($32.31/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $42,800/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $102,400/yr.
How does New Jersey rank for electrician pay?
New Jersey ranks #9 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 124), the real purchasing power is $54,194/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not issue a state journeyman electrician license. Apprentices register through the NJ Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship and serve under a licensed Electrical Contractor.. For master level: NJ Electrical Contractor license required for any contracting work: 5 years of practical experience under a licensed electrical contractor, pass the Business and Law exam and the Electrical Contractor exam (PSI Exams), $100,000 liability insurance plus $1,000 bond..
Are union electricians better paid in New Jersey?
Yes. IBEW Local 102 (Northern NJ - Paterson), Local 351 (Southern NJ / Atlantic), Local 269 (Trenton / Mercer), Local 400 (Asbury Park / Monmouth), Local 456 (New Brunswick / Central Jersey) operate in New Jersey, with approximately 34% of electricians in New Jersey are union, among the highest rates in the Northeast. 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey electricians benefit from the NYC metro spillover (NJ Transit, Hudson rail tunnels, Newark / Jersey City high-rise construction) plus a strong state push on offshore wind (Ocean Wind, Atlantic Shores) requiring port and substation electrical work. Pharma and biotech in Central Jersey (Princeton, New Brunswick, Bridgewater) drive steady commercial demand. The Meadowlands data center cluster (Carlstadt, Secaucus, Edison) is expanding through 2030.

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