Trade Spotlight
Trade Spotlight: Electricians
A $63,190 median wage, 72,700 openings a year, and a paid path in. What the work is, what it pays, and how to start.
This is preview content for The Skilled Nation, ahead of Issue 1 on February 4, 2027.
Quick take
- Median pay: $63,190 a year.
- 72,700 openings a year, with 9% job growth from 2025 to 2035.
- Most electricians train through a 4- to 5-year paid apprenticeship.
Electricians install, maintain, and repair the wiring and equipment that power homes, hospitals, factories, and data centers. Every new building needs them. So does every upgrade to the electric grid.
The numbers
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Median annual pay | $63,190 |
| Openings per year | 72,700 |
| Job growth, 2025 to 2035 | 9% |
| Typical training | 4- to 5-year apprenticeship |
| Entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What the work looks like
Electricians read blueprints, run conduit and wire, install panels and fixtures, and test systems for safety. Some work in new construction. Others handle maintenance in a plant or service calls in homes. The work is physical, often indoors and outdoors, and it rewards people who like solving problems with their hands.
Common specialties include:
- Inside wireman: commercial and industrial buildings.
- Residential: homes and apartments.
- Maintenance: keeping plant and facility systems running.
- Line work: power lines and utility systems, often a separate apprenticeship.
The path in
Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship. You work for a contractor during the day and take related classroom instruction, often in the evening. You earn a wage from the first day, and your pay rises as you log hours and pass milestones.
- Finish high school or a GED. Algebra helps. So does a clean driving record.
- Consider a pre-apprenticeship or a short program to build basic skills. Some are now Workforce Pell eligible.
- Apply to an apprenticeship. Union programs and non-union contractor programs both exist. Search Apprenticeship.gov by ZIP code.
- Complete your hours and classroom instruction, usually over 4 to 5 years.
- Pass your state license exam. Most states license electricians. Requirements vary by state.
Money tip
Apprentice pay rises in steps. Build your budget on today’s wage, and send each raise straight to savings or debt until you hit your goals. Our Money Moves guide to your first paycheck walks through it.