Commercial and industrial electricians consistently out-earn their residential counterparts. Enter your city, state, job title, and years of experience for a personalized 2026 estimate, then use the breakdowns below to see exactly what drives the number.
Several variables decide where any individual electrician falls within those ranges: license level, city and state, union affiliation, employer type, and specialization. The sections below break down each factor with 2026 data so you can see what moves your number, not just the average.
Experience is the most direct driver of pay in this trade. Here is how earnings typically progress from apprentice through master license in the commercial and industrial sectors.
| Level | Experience | Avg Annual | Avg Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / Helper | 0–2 yrs | $40,000–$55,000 | $19–$26 |
| Journeyman | 2–7 yrs | $60,000–$80,000 | $29–$38 |
| Senior Journeyman | 7–12 yrs | $75,000–$92,000 | $36–$44 |
| Master Electrician | 10+ yrs | $80,000–$110,000+ | $38–$53+ |
| Foreman / Supervisor | Varies | $85,000–$115,000 | $41–$55 |
| Project Manager | Varies | $95,000–$130,000 | $46–$62 |
Pay varies significantly by title and licensing tier even within the commercial and industrial category. Figures below are national averages drawn from BLS, Salary.com, and ZipRecruiter data as of early 2026.
| Job Title | National Avg Annual |
|---|---|
| Electrician Helper | $45,000–$55,580 |
| Apprentice (Commercial) | $48,000–$55,600 |
| Electrician I | $55,579 |
| Electrician II | $64,670 |
| Commercial Journeyman | $62,000–$70,000 |
| Industrial Journeyman | $65,000–$80,000 |
| Electrician III | $71,275 |
| Electrician IV | $83,386 |
| Master Electrician (Commercial) | $80,000–$100,000+ |
| Master Electrician (Industrial) | $85,000–$115,000+ |
| Electrical Foreman | $85,000–$110,000 |
| Electrical Superintendent | $95,000–$130,000 |
| Electrical Project Manager | $100,000–$135,000 |
These are the 15 largest U.S. cities by population, with ranges for commercial and industrial electricians. Union density and cost of living drive most of the spread within each market.
| City | Avg Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $78,000–$98,000 | High union density; NYC prevailing wage rates apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $72,000–$95,000 | Strong IBEW presence; renewables push higher |
| Chicago, IL | $75,000–$97,000 | Among the highest COL-adjusted wages nationally |
| Houston, TX | $60,000–$78,000 | Energy and industrial demand; non-union dominates |
| Phoenix, AZ | $58,000–$75,000 | Rapid growth; data center expansion lifting demand |
| Philadelphia, PA | $65,000–$85,000 | Strong union market; prevailing wage on public work |
| San Antonio, TX | $56,000–$72,000 | Military and commercial construction drive demand |
| San Diego, CA | $70,000–$90,000 | Defense and biotech add industrial volume |
| Dallas, TX | $60,000–$80,000 | One of the fastest-growing commercial markets in the U.S. |
| San Jose, CA | $78,000–$105,000 | Tech and data center buildout; top pay in the state |
| Austin, TX | $60,000–$78,000 | Semiconductor fabs and tech campuses driving demand |
| Jacksonville, FL | $52,000–$68,000 | Growing market; lower COL offsets wage gap |
| Fort Worth, TX | $58,000–$76,000 | Industrial and logistics growth; near Dallas rates |
| Columbus, OH | $58,000–$76,000 | Strong union market; manufacturing and data centers |
| Charlotte, NC | $55,000–$72,000 | Finance and logistics driving commercial growth |
State averages flatten out the metro extremes, but they still show where the trade pays best and where it lags. Here are the top 10 and the bottom 5 for commercial electricians.
| State | Avg Annual |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68,779 |
| California | $68,518 |
| Massachusetts | $67,605 |
| Washington | $67,356 |
| New Jersey | $67,331 |
| Alaska | $67,244 |
| Connecticut | $66,387 |
| New York | $66,039 |
| Hawaii | $64,927 |
| Rhode Island | $64,405 |
| State | Avg Annual |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | ~$50,000–$56,000 |
| Arkansas | ~$51,000–$57,000 |
| West Virginia | ~$52,000–$58,000 |
| South Carolina | ~$54,000–$59,000 |
| Alabama | ~$53,000–$58,000 |
Union membership has a measurable impact on total compensation, especially in major metro markets.
Non-union commercial electricians typically earn 10–25% less than union counterparts in the same city. Union journeymen in Chicago, New York, and Seattle often run $40–$55/hr on base wages before overtime, benefits, and pension.
Wages plus benefits plus pension for union electricians in top markets can exceed $100,000 annually even at the journeyman level.
Illinois, Washington, Oregon, New York, Massachusetts, and California carry the strongest union influence and the highest wages.
Beyond experience and location, these factors consistently push commercial and industrial pay higher.
Programmable logic controller work is one of the highest-value industrial add-ons.
Systems certification that opens commercial and life-safety scopes.
Renewable demand keeps this premium climbing.
Growing fast; commands a premium in many markets.
Premium pay in industrial settings where the risk and skill bar are higher.
Specialist-level pay for controls and integration work.
Utilities and large industrial contractors pay more than small commercial shops. Federal and prevailing-wage projects guarantee minimums above market. Data center and semiconductor builds are among the highest-paying work available right now.
Many industrial electricians run 50–60 hour weeks during active phases. OT at 1.5x can add $10,000–$25,000 to base for full-time industrial workers.
Demand for commercial and industrial electricians is outpacing supply, which keeps pushing wages up nationally.
The national median for a commercial electrician sits around $71,300/year, or about $34.28/hr, while the broader all-sector electrician average lands near $62,000 to $68,000. Industrial electricians in manufacturing, utilities, and large facilities often earn at the top of that range or above, especially with overtime and union agreements factored in.
Industrial electricians working in plants, refineries, data centers, and utilities typically earn $5,000 to $15,000 more per year than commercial counterparts at the same experience level. The premium reflects higher-voltage systems, PLC work, and stricter safety environments.
Apprentices and helpers generally run $40,000 to $55,000 per year, while journeymen land in the $60,000 to $80,000 range. The move from apprentice to journeyman is typically a 30 to 50% raise, the single biggest jump in the trade.
The highest state averages for commercial electricians include the District of Columbia, California, Massachusetts, Washington, and New Jersey, each near or above $67,000. Strong union influence in states like Illinois, Washington, Oregon, New York, Massachusetts, and California tends to track with the highest wages.
Yes. Non-union commercial electricians typically earn 10 to 25% less than union counterparts in the same city. Union journeymen in top markets like Chicago, New York, and Seattle often run $40 to $55/hr on base wages, and total packages including benefits and pension can exceed $100,000 annually even at the journeyman level.
PLC programming is one of the highest-value add-ons, worth roughly $5,000 to $15,000 per year. Solar PV installation adds about $4,000 to $12,000, low-voltage and fire alarm certification adds $3,000 to $8,000, and EV charging infrastructure can carry a 10 to 20% premium in many markets.
Enter your city, state, title, and years of experience in the estimator above for a personalized 2026 figure.
Use the EstimatorBrowse commercial and industrial openings with contractors that pay at these ranges.
Journeyman Electrician JobsData sourced from BLS, ZipRecruiter, Salary.com, and PayScale, early 2026. Figures are estimates and vary by employer, project, and local market.