BLS OEWS May 2025
Electrician Salary in Pennsylvania 2026
Updated 22 June 2026
$67,600/yr median · $32.50/hr
State Median
$68k
vs. National
+$4k
Top 10%
$123k
COL-Adjusted
$69k
Electrician Salary Range in Pennsylvania
The full wage spread for electricians (occupation 47-2111) in Pennsylvania, 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
$45,600/yr
Lowest-paid 10%
Median (50th)
$68k
$67,600/yr
Typical electrician
90th percentile
$123k
$122,620/yr
Highest-paid 10%
An electrician in the bottom 10% of Pennsylvania earners makes about $45,600/yr, while the top 10% earn $122,620/yr or more — a range of $77,020. 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 Pennsylvania Ranks
Pennsylvania ranks #21 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $63,190 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Pennsylvania pays $4,410 above the national average.
Pennsylvania's cost-of-living index is 98 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $68,980/yr in national-average dollar terms. Cost of living is near the national average.
Pay by Metro Area
Estimated median pay for the top 5 metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania, modelled from the state median and regional cost differentials (not BLS metro estimates).
| Metro Area | Median Annual | vs. State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Metro | $66,400 | -1.2k |
| Pittsburgh Metro | $62,800 | -4.8k |
| Allentown-Bethlehem | $56,400 | -11.2k |
| Harrisburg | $54,400 | -13.2k |
| Scranton-Wilkes-Barre | $50,800 | -16.8k |
Pay by Experience Level
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $16 - $20/hr | $33,000 - $42,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $22 - $28/hr | $46,000 - $58,000 |
| Journeyman (Employee) | $28 - $40/hr | $58,000 - $83,000 |
| Master Electrician (Employee) | $35 - $50/hr | $73,000 - $104,000 |
| Self-Employed Contractor | $80 - $150/hr billed | $75,000 - $200,000 net |
Pennsylvania Licensing Requirements
See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing
Union Presence in Pennsylvania
IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 98 (Philadelphia - one of the most active IBEW locals), Local 5 (Pittsburgh), Local 743 (Allentown), Local 81 (Erie)
Union share: approximately 28% of electricians in Pennsylvania are union, with Philadelphia near 50%.
Union electricians in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania electricians have strong near-term prospects from Amazon and Google data center construction in the Lehigh Valley (one of the fastest-growing data center corridors in the US), Amtrak electrification work on the Northeast Corridor, and ongoing industrial modernisation in the Pittsburgh metro. Philadelphia's medical district remains a steady employer.
Major Employers in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Pennsylvania?
What is the salary range for electricians in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania rank for electrician pay?
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Pennsylvania?
Are union electricians better paid in Pennsylvania?
What is the job outlook for electricians in Pennsylvania?
Related Pages
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.