Electrician Pay Ladder: Helper to Journeyman to Supervisor to Construction Manager
The electrical trade is one of the few career paths where you get paid while you train, and where the training itself leads to a license that raises your pay. Here is what each rung pays nationally, using the May 2025 federal wage survey, and what usually separates one rung from the next.
The pay ladder at a glance
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. | Typical entry education | Projected growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician helper | 63,630 | $33,020 | $42,670 | $58,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.6% |
| Electrician | 757,220 | $42,640 | $63,190 | $108,510 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.2% |
| Construction supervisor | 812,210 | $53,280 | $79,920 | $128,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.0% |
| Construction manager | 380,360 | $69,690 | $114,990 | $189,440 | Bachelor's degree | +9.1% |
Wages are May 2025 estimates from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; growth and education from BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. The 10th and 90th percentiles show the range from entry-level or lower-paying employers to the most experienced or best-paid workers. For comparison, the median for all U.S. occupations was $50,980.
Helper to electrician
Electrician helpers earn a median of $42,670. Most electricians train through an apprenticeship that combines paid on-the-job work with classroom instruction, and most states require a license, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. The median electrician earns $63,190, a gap of $20,520. BLS projects 9.2% job growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than the economy as a whole.
Electrician to supervisor
First-line supervisors of construction trades earn a median of $79,920. The move usually comes from running crews and jobs well: estimating labor, reading plans, keeping inspections on schedule and handling safety. A master or contractor license can help because many jurisdictions require a licensed person to be responsible for permits.
Supervisor to construction manager
Construction managers earn a median of $114,990, and the 90th percentile reaches $189,440. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical for entry, but notes that some firms promote people with many years of trade experience. Scheduling software, cost control and contract knowledge are what typically close the gap.
Where electricians earn the most
State medians for electricians vary widely. The five highest-paying states in the May 2025 survey:
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $101,310 | 10,590 |
| Illinois | $99,560 | 23,120 |
| Hawaii | $96,460 | 3,070 |
| Washington | $95,220 | 19,380 |
| Alaska | $89,440 | 1,870 |
Pay tips for electricians
- Know your apprenticeship wage schedule. Registered programs raise pay at set intervals as you complete hours and coursework, so ask for the written schedule.
- Industry matters. In the May 2025 data, electricians working for utilities had a median of $106,640, compared with $63,190 for all electricians. If you are licensed, compare offers across industries, not just contractors.
- Track your hours. Hourly electricians are generally owed overtime after 40 hours a week under federal law.
Published October 27, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original chart by JobPayRaise.com using BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
Comments (1)
If you work on federally funded construction, check the wage determination before you accept a rate. Under the Davis-Bacon Act, contractors on covered federal projects must pay at least the locally prevailing wage and fringe benefits for each craft, and the rates are published for every county. The Department of Labor's overview is here: Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (U.S. DOL).