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 North Carolina 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$52,400/yr average · $25.19/hr

State Median

$52k

vs. National

$9k

Top 10%

$82k

COL-Adjusted

$56k

Where North Carolina Ranks

North Carolina ranks #31 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). North Carolina pays $9,190 below the national average.

North Carolina's cost-of-living index is 94 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $55,745/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 North Carolina.

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Charlotte Metro$56,800++4.4k
Raleigh-Durham (Research Triangle)$58,400++6.0k
Greensboro / Winston-Salem$52,400++0.0k
Asheville$48,800-3.6k
Wilmington$50,400-2.0k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$14 - $18/hr$29,000 - $37,000
Apprentice (Year 4)$20 - $26/hr$42,000 - $54,000
Journeyman (Employee)$25 - $36/hr$52,000 - $75,000
Master Electrician (Employee)$31 - $44/hr$64,000 - $92,000
Self-Employed Contractor$70 - $135/hr billed$65,000 - $175,000 net

North Carolina Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityNorth Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC)
Journeyman RequirementNC does not issue a state journeyman license. Workers train as apprentices through registered programs (IEC Carolinas, IBEW-NECA JATC) and gain documented OJT.
Master RequirementLimited (L), Intermediate (I), or Unlimited (U) Electrical Contractor classification, each with rising experience and financial-capacity requirements. Pass the NCBEEC qualifying exam. The Unlimited license requires demonstrated electrical contracting experience as a project superintendent.
Fee$135 application + $135 exam fee for Limited; higher for Intermediate and Unlimited (NCBEEC fee schedule 2026)
ReciprocityReciprocity with South Carolina for SC Class B and similar Tennessee BLC equivalents; case-by-case

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

Union Presence in North Carolina

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 379 (Charlotte), Local 553 (Raleigh-Durham), Local 342 (Greensboro), Local 776 (Wilmington), Local 238 (Asheville)

Union share: approximately 7% of electricians in North Carolina are union (one of the lowest rates in the US).

Union electricians in North Carolina 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 North Carolina

North Carolina electricians benefit from the Research Triangle data center expansion (Wake County and Durham County), Apple's Research Triangle campus build, and a continued banking-sector commercial presence in Charlotte. Toyota's $13.9 billion battery plant in Liberty (Randolph County) and the Wolfspeed silicon-carbide chip campus in Chatham County are creating multi-year industrial electrical demand. Wilmington benefits from offshore wind staging and the Brunswick Nuclear Station.

Major Employers in North Carolina

Duke Energy CarolinasDominion Energy North CarolinaBrasfield & Gorrie (electrical subs)Choate ConstructionWatson Electrical (NC-based contractor)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in North Carolina?
Electricians in North Carolina earn $52,400/yr ($25.19/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $33,200/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $82,000/yr.
How does North Carolina rank for electrician pay?
North Carolina ranks #31 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 94), the real purchasing power is $55,745/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in North Carolina?
NC does not issue a state journeyman license. Workers train as apprentices through registered programs (IEC Carolinas, IBEW-NECA JATC) and gain documented OJT.. For master level: Limited (L), Intermediate (I), or Unlimited (U) Electrical Contractor classification, each with rising experience and financial-capacity requirements. Pass the NCBEEC qualifying exam. The Unlimited license requires demonstrated electrical contracting experience as a project superintendent..
Are union electricians better paid in North Carolina?
Yes. IBEW Local 379 (Charlotte), Local 553 (Raleigh-Durham), Local 342 (Greensboro), Local 776 (Wilmington), Local 238 (Asheville) operate in North Carolina, with approximately 7% of electricians in North Carolina are union (one of the lowest rates in the US). 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina electricians benefit from the Research Triangle data center expansion (Wake County and Durham County), Apple's Research Triangle campus build, and a continued banking-sector commercial presence in Charlotte. Toyota's $13.9 billion battery plant in Liberty (Randolph County) and the Wolfspeed silicon-carbide chip campus in Chatham County are creating multi-year industrial electrical demand. Wilmington benefits from offshore wind staging and the Brunswick Nuclear Station.

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