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 Pennsylvania 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$58,400/yr average · $28.08/hr

State Median

$58k

vs. National

$3k

Top 10%

$93k

COL-Adjusted

$60k

Where Pennsylvania Ranks

Pennsylvania ranks #19 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Pennsylvania pays $3,190 below 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 $59,592/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 Pennsylvania.

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Philadelphia Metro$66,400++8.0k
Pittsburgh Metro$62,800++4.4k
Allentown-Bethlehem$56,400-2.0k
Harrisburg$54,400-4.0k
Scranton-Wilkes-Barre$50,800-7.6k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
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

Licensing AuthorityPennsylvania has NO statewide electrician or electrical contractor licensing. Licensing is purely local (municipal). Philadelphia: City of Philadelphia Licenses & Inspections issues Master Electrician license. Pittsburgh has its own license. Many PA cities have no local license.
Journeyman RequirementNo state requirement. Philadelphia requires journeyman exam after 4 years experience. Pittsburgh has a local journeyman exam. Most PA jurisdictions have no requirement.
Master RequirementNo state master license. Philadelphia Master Electrician: 4 years as journeyman + exam + $100 filing. Pittsburgh similar.
FeePhiladelphia: approximately $100 for exam filing and license fee
ReciprocityNone (no state license to reciprocate)

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

PECO Energy (Exelon)PPL Electric UtilitiesGilbane Building Company (electrical subs)Toll Brothers (electrical subs)IEC PA members

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Pennsylvania?
Electricians in Pennsylvania earn $58,400/yr ($28.08/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $36,800/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $92,800/yr.
How does Pennsylvania rank for electrician pay?
Pennsylvania ranks #19 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 98), the real purchasing power is $59,592/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Pennsylvania?
No state requirement. Philadelphia requires journeyman exam after 4 years experience. Pittsburgh has a local journeyman exam. Most PA jurisdictions have no requirement.. For master level: No state master license. Philadelphia Master Electrician: 4 years as journeyman + exam + $100 filing. Pittsburgh similar..
Are union electricians better paid in Pennsylvania?
Yes. IBEW Local 98 (Philadelphia - one of the most active IBEW locals), Local 5 (Pittsburgh), Local 743 (Allentown), Local 81 (Erie) operate in Pennsylvania, with approximately 28% of electricians in Pennsylvania are union, with Philadelphia near 50%. 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 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.

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.