Skilled trades
Electricians
Electricians install and maintain electrical systems, most often entering through a paid apprenticeship instead of a degree. Earnings build with licensure and specialisation, and the day-to-day work leans heavily on methodical troubleshooting and safety discipline.
- May 2025 U.S. median annual pay
- $63,190
- Projected employment growth, 2025–2035
- 9%
Education and licensing
Typically an apprenticeship rather than a degree pathway.
Most states require licensing.
Where people work
- Electrical contractors
- Manufacturing
- Government
Skills that matter day to day
- Troubleshooting
- Reading technical plans
- Safety practice
Caveats on these figures
- Apprentice pay is typically well below the national median shown here, and rises over the apprenticeship.
- Licensing rules differ substantially between states and some municipalities.
- Projected growth is not a count of current vacancies.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm. Pay figures are May 2025 national medians; growth projections cover 2025–2035. Retrieved September 27, 2026 and refreshed manually.