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 Virginia 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$58,400/yr average · $28.08/hr

State Median

$58k

vs. National

$3k

Top 10%

$92k

COL-Adjusted

$58k

Where Virginia Ranks

Virginia ranks #17 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Virginia pays $3,190 below the national average.

Virginia's cost-of-living index is 101 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $57,822/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 Virginia.

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Northern Virginia (NoVA / DC Suburbs)$72,400++14.0k
Richmond Metro$56,800-1.6k
Virginia Beach / Norfolk / Hampton Roads$54,400-4.0k
Charlottesville$52,800-5.6k
Roanoke$50,400-8.0k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$15 - $20/hr$31,000 - $42,000
Apprentice (Year 4)$22 - $28/hr$46,000 - $58,000
Journeyman (Employee)$27 - $40/hr$56,000 - $83,000
Master Electrician (Employee)$34 - $48/hr$71,000 - $100,000
Self-Employed Contractor$75 - $145/hr billed$70,000 - $190,000 net

Virginia Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) - Board for Contractors
Journeyman Requirement4 years (8,000 hours) documented OJT + pass Journeyman Electrician exam (PSI Exams). Tradesman license is the state-issued credential.
Master Requirement1 year (2,000 hours) as licensed journeyman + pass Master Electrician exam. Master license is required to qualify a Class A, B, or C contractor for electrical work.
Fee$120 journeyman application and exam; $130 master application and exam (DPOR fee schedule 2026)
ReciprocityVirginia has reciprocity for journeyman licenses with Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia (verify with DPOR for current list)

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

Union Presence in Virginia

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 26 (Washington DC area, covers NoVA), Local 666 (Richmond), Local 80 (Norfolk / Hampton Roads), Local 50 (Newport News)

Union share: approximately 14% of electricians in Virginia are union, concentrated in NoVA and Hampton Roads shipyards.

Union electricians in Virginia 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 Virginia

Virginia is the data center capital of the world. Loudoun County's 'Data Center Alley' (Ashburn, Sterling, Leesburg) hosts roughly 70% of global internet traffic and is in a multi-year construction expansion. Dominion Energy's offshore wind project off Virginia Beach is the largest US offshore wind build to date, requiring substantial transmission and substation electrical work through 2030. Newport News Shipbuilding employs marine electricians on submarine and carrier work.

Major Employers in Virginia

Dominion EnergyNewport News Shipbuilding (HII)Bechtel (data center electrical subs)Holder ConstructionM.C. Dean (NoVA mission-critical electrical specialist)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Virginia?
Electricians in Virginia 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 $92,000/yr.
How does Virginia rank for electrician pay?
Virginia ranks #17 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 101), the real purchasing power is $57,822/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Virginia?
4 years (8,000 hours) documented OJT + pass Journeyman Electrician exam (PSI Exams). Tradesman license is the state-issued credential.. For master level: 1 year (2,000 hours) as licensed journeyman + pass Master Electrician exam. Master license is required to qualify a Class A, B, or C contractor for electrical work..
Are union electricians better paid in Virginia?
Yes. IBEW Local 26 (Washington DC area, covers NoVA), Local 666 (Richmond), Local 80 (Norfolk / Hampton Roads), Local 50 (Newport News) operate in Virginia, with approximately 14% of electricians in Virginia are union, concentrated in NoVA and Hampton Roads shipyards. 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 Virginia?
Virginia is the data center capital of the world. Loudoun County's 'Data Center Alley' (Ashburn, Sterling, Leesburg) hosts roughly 70% of global internet traffic and is in a multi-year construction expansion. Dominion Energy's offshore wind project off Virginia Beach is the largest US offshore wind build to date, requiring substantial transmission and substation electrical work through 2030. Newport News Shipbuilding employs marine electricians on submarine and carrier work.

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