Updated 29 June 2026
Journeyman Electrician Salary 2026: $63,190 Median
$28-$48/hr depending on state and union status
A licensed journeyman can work independently, pull permits, and supervise apprentices. Pay varies more by geography and union status than any other factor.
BLS Median (all electricians)
$63,190/yr
BLS Mean
$71,490/yr
Union (Top Market)
$74.94/hr
Top 10%
$108,510/yr
What the Journeyman License Means
A journeyman electrician license is the first fully independent license tier. Unlike an apprentice, who must work under direct supervision, a licensed journeyman can work alone, make code interpretations on site, and pull individual permits in most jurisdictions.
The license requires completing 8,000-10,000 hours of documented on-the-job training through a registered apprenticeship (IBEW JATC, IEC, or employer-sponsored), plus passing a state exam covering the National Electrical Code (NEC), electrical theory, and local amendments. Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York have local-only licensing with no statewide journeyman exam.
Most electricians spend the majority of their career at the journeyman level. The step to master electrician requires 2-4 more years plus the master exam, and is only essential if you want to start a business or advance to foreman or superintendent on large projects.
Pay by Years of Journeyman Experience
| Experience | Hourly Range | Annual Range |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1-2 (New Journeyman) | $25 - $33/hr | $52,000 - $69,000 |
| Year 3-4 | $28 - $38/hr | $58,000 - $79,000 |
| Year 5-6 | $31 - $42/hr | $64,000 - $87,000 |
| Year 7-8 | $33 - $46/hr | $69,000 - $96,000 |
Journeyman Pay by Top States
Union local rates from IBEW local agreements 2025-2026. Non-union markets shown where applicable.
| State / Market | Hourly | Annual (Base) |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (Chicago) | $52.10 | $108,400+ |
| Washington (Seattle) | $74.94 | $155,000+ |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $68.78 | $143,000+ |
| New York (NYC) | $64.00 | $133,000+ |
| California (Bay Area) | $54 - $60+ | $113,000+ |
| New Jersey | $42 - $50 | $87,000 - $104,000 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $42 - $48 | $87,000 - $100,000 |
| Alaska | $42 - $48 | $87,000 - $100,000 |
Specialty Premiums Above Base Journeyman Rate
| Specialty / Certification | Premium |
|---|---|
| Controls / PLC Programming | +$3 - $8/hr |
| Instrumentation / Process | +$4 - $8/hr |
| Arc-Flash Qualified (NFPA 70E) | +$2 - $3/hr |
| Solar PV Installer (NABCEP) | +$2 - $5/hr |
| EV Charging (EVITP) | +$1 - $3/hr |
| High Voltage (138kV+) | +$5 - $12/hr |
Overtime and Emergency Premium
Overtime Income
Federal: 1.5x after 40 hrs/week. Union contracts often: 1.5x after 8 hrs/day, 2x Sundays and holidays.
Base $32/hr = $48/hr OT
10 hrs/wk OT = +$24,960/yr extra
Emergency Call-Out
1.5x-2x normal rate plus 2-4 hour minimum guarantee. Industrial sites: $80-$150/hr. Linemen on storm work earn even more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average journeyman electrician salary?
How long does it take to reach journeyman electrician?
What specialty adds the most to a journeyman electrician's pay?
How much do union journeyman electricians make vs non-union?
Can a journeyman electrician start their own business?
What is the next step after journeyman electrician?
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 (occupation 47-2111, Electricians; median $63,190, mean $71,490, 90th percentile $108,510), IBEW local agreements 2025-2026 via unionpayscales.com.