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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Updated 17 April 2026 · BLS OES 2024

Commercial vs Residential vs Industrial Electrician Salary 2026

Industrial electricians earn 30-40% more than residential. Here is why.

Residential JW

$22-$32/hr

Commercial JW

$26-$40/hr

Industrial JW

$30-$48/hr

Marine JW

$28-$45/hr

Pay Comparison Table: All Four Segments

LevelResidentialCommercialIndustrial
Apprentice (Year 1)$15-$18/hr$16-$20/hr$17-$22/hr
Apprentice (Year 4)$21-$27/hr$23-$30/hr$25-$33/hr
Journeyman$22-$32/hr$26-$40/hr$30-$48/hr
Master / Supervisor$28-$40/hr$34-$50/hr$38-$56/hr

Why Industrial Pays the Most

Industrial electricians maintain and install electrical systems in manufacturing plants, oil refineries, power generation facilities, semiconductor fabs, and food processing plants. The work involves systems unavailable in commercial or residential contexts: motor control centres, variable frequency drives, PLCs (programmable logic controllers), distributed control systems, and often hazardous location wiring under NFPA 70 Article 500.

The pay premium reflects three factors. First, technical complexity: industrial systems require ongoing diagnostic and programming skills beyond most commercial work. Second, criticality: production downtime costs manufacturers $1,000-$100,000 per hour. An industrial electrician who can fix a critical VFD failure at 2am on a Sunday commands premium emergency rates. Third, hazardous conditions: refineries and chemical plants require documented training in hazardous atmosphere classification, intrinsically safe equipment, and hot-work permits.

The highest-paid industrial specialty is controls and instrumentation: PLC programming, SCADA integration, and process instrument calibration. A journeyman with 3-5 years of PLC experience can earn $42-$58/hr in industrial manufacturing markets.

Day in the Life: Each Segment

Residential

Mon-Fri, 7am-3:30pm typical

Service calls (outlet repairs, panel upgrades, EV charger installs), new home wiring, addition rough-ins. Work is largely solo. Good entry path to self-employment. Common jobs: 200A panel upgrade ($1,500-$3,500), generator install ($3,000-$8,000), EV charger ($600-$1,500).

Commercial

Mon-Fri, standard hours on active construction

Tenant fit-outs, retail, offices, schools, hospitals. More blueprint complexity, conduit systems at scale, fire alarm and low-voltage integration. Steady employment. Union commercial journeymen in major metros earn $38-$58/hr base.

Industrial

Shift work: days, nights, weekends

Plant maintenance: replacing motors, troubleshooting PLCs, maintaining MCC (motor control centre) equipment. Shutdown work (scheduled plant turnarounds) pays overtime rates for 2-6 weeks of intensive maintenance. Industrial linemen in refineries earn $40-$58/hr plus shift differentials.

Marine / Shipyard

Project-based, offshore travel possible

Electrical systems on ships, offshore platforms, and submarines. Shipyard work is project-based (drydock maintenance cycles). Offshore platforms pay travel premium. NFPA 303 and NFPA 70 Article 553 are the relevant codes. Marine journeymen earn $28-$45/hr depending on contractor and project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do commercial electricians make more than residential?
Yes. Commercial electricians earn approximately 15-20% more than residential electricians at the journeyman level. Commercial work involves more complex code requirements, higher voltage systems, and greater liability, which commands higher pay. Commercial journeymen earn $26-$40/hr versus $22-$32/hr for residential journeymen.
Why do industrial electricians make the most?
Industrial electricians work on complex motor controls, PLCs, variable frequency drives, high-voltage switchgear, and hazardous environment systems in manufacturing plants, refineries, and power generation facilities. The higher technical complexity, continuous production requirements (no downtime tolerance), and hazardous conditions command 30-40% more than residential electricians and 15-25% more than commercial electricians.
What is the typical salary for an industrial electrician?
Industrial electricians earn $28-$48/hr ($58,000-$100,000/yr) at the journeyman level depending on location and specialisation. PLC/controls specialists earn $35-$55/hr. Industrial union electricians in manufacturing states (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois) often earn $40-$55/hr base through local IBEW agreements.
Is residential electrician work a good career?
Residential electrician work is a solid entry path and offers the fastest route to self-employment. While base pay is 15-25% below commercial, residential service electricians who go self-employed can earn $65,000-$120,000 net as a solo operator with low overhead. The schedule is also more predictable (Mon-Fri service calls) than commercial construction or industrial shift work.
Can you switch from residential to commercial or industrial?
Yes, with the same journeyman license. The switch requires learning commercial code (NFPA 70 commercial applications), blueprint reading at scale, and larger system knowledge. Many residential electricians transition after 2-3 years by applying to commercial contractors. Industrial often requires additional training in PLC programming, motor controls, and hazardous location wiring (NFPA 70 Article 500).
Journeyman SalarySelf-Employed IncomeUnion vs Non-UnionLineman Salary