If you’re an electrician, you can expect a positive outlook as far as market growth is concerned. Electricians offer specialized skills by installing, maintaining as well as repairing electrical fixtures and appliances. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate of electricians is expected to increase at a faster than average rate.
They predicted that between 2018 and 2028, nearly 74,000 electrician jobs would be added to the market. This accounts for nearly 10% growth. If you want to be an electrician, then now is the time to enter the industry. Electricians offer specialized skills and work in everything from residential to commercial buildings.
Who is an electrician?
An electrician is a professional who has been given the license to install and repair electrical appliances and systems. In order to become an electrician, you’ll first need to complete your high school education. Alternatively, you will need your GED certificate. Then, you will need to apply to a technical school to accomplish the number of classroom hours you need towards getting your license.
You will also need to complete an apprenticeship, which can take anywhere between four to five years to complete. Electricians can start earning right from the time they are apprentices. After you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you’ll need to sit for your licensing exam. If you successfully pass your exam, then you’ll be licensed to work as a journeyman electrician.
As an electrician, you can either work for a business or by yourself. The amount you earn will depend on the number of projects you work on and the services you offer. Where you work will also have a role in determining how much you earn. This is as electricians tend to earn more in some states while earning less in others.
States where electricians make the most money
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage of an electrician is $59,190. This is somewhat higher than what similar tradespeople earn. Depending on the state where you live, how much you earn can vary greatly.
If you live in the state of New York, then you can expect to earn the most out of all the states in the country. In New York, electricians make an average annual salary of $77,810. This is followed closely by the state of Alaska, where electricians make an average salary of $76,330. Consider also that in the state of New York, how much an electrician makes has increased between the years 2013 and 2018. In that time, the average salary of an electrician in the state of New York went up by 10.3%
Third on the list is the state of Illinois, where electricians can expect to make an average annual salary of $75,820. Electricians can also make a lot of money in Hawaii. In the state of Hawaii, electricians make an average annual salary of $75,810. New Jersey is another state you can consider moving to if you want to live in a state where electricians earn more money. In New Jersey, you can expect to make around $71,660 in a year.
Another state that pays electricians well is Minnesota, where electricians earn an average annual salary of $70,410. You can also move to Oregon, where electricians earn around $69,330 every year. California also makes it to the list of highest paying states for electricians. You can expect to make around $69,320 in the state of California.
Washington is also great for electricians, and you can expect to make around $68,640 per year. Last on this list is the state of Massachusetts, where you can expect to make around $68,030.
States where electricians make the least money
Alongside knowing where electricians make the most money, you should also consider states where electricians make the least amount. It’s important to keep in mind that the cost of living should also be taken into consideration when thinking about how much an electrician earns. Where they earn more, the cost of living can also be higher. And in the states where electricians earn less, the cost of living will also be lower.
Electricians typically earn less money in the South, West, and upper Midwest regions of the country. First on the list of states where electricians earn less money is Arkansas. Here, an electrician can expect to make an average annual salary of $43,650. Next on the list of states where electricians earn less is North Carolina. Here, you can expect to make around $44,140 every year. South Carolina comes next on the list, and here, you can expect to make around $44,720 every year.
The state of Florida also makes it onto the list of least paying States for electricians in the US. In the state of Florida, electricians earn around $45,240 annually. South Dakota comes next on this list, where electricians also earn less on average. Here, electricians earn around $45,490. Another state where electricians earn less is Alabama. In the state of Alaba, an electrician can expect to make around $47,590 annually. Arizona comes next, and in this state, you can expect to make around $47,950 every year.
Mississippi also doesn’t pay electricians as well as many other states. Working as an electrician in the state of Mississippi, you can expect to make around $49,549. Idaho also doesn’t pay electricians as much as many other states in the country. If you were an electrician working in Idaho, you could expect to make around $50,170. The final state where electricians earn less in the country is Nebraska. In the state of Nebraska, electricians earn an average annual salary of $50,470.
Conclusion
Where you live and the kind of work you offer will have a say in how much you earn as an electrician. Aside from this, you’ll also have to take into account the growth rate for electricians in different states in the country. For example, between 2013 and 2018, Minnesota experienced the most growth for electricians. The growth rate in this state increased by nearly 24.2%.
The second greatest growth rate for electricians was seen in Vermont. In this state, the growth rate for electricians was as high as 23.4%. Electricians, in general, earn more than many other tradespersons. If you offer specialized skills, such as installing innovative products, you can expect to earn more as an electrician.
If you are an electrician, then you should also consider electricians insurance. This is as you’re exposed to certain career risks that could end up impacting your finances. You could get sued by a client who is unhappy with your work. If this happens, you’ll have to pay exorbitant amounts to represent and defend yourself in Court. If you had insurance for electrical contractors, however, then you can be financially covered.
Insurance for electrical contractors, such as electrician liability insurance, can provide coverage against common career risks. From being sued to experiencing business disruptions, electricians insurance can help you promote financial stability for yourself. If you would like to learn more about insurance for electrical contractors, then click here.
