Electricians: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Electricians fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Electricians earn a median salary of $62,350 per year, ranking in the top 44% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +9.5% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do electricians earn?

The median annual wage for electricians is $62,350. That puts electricians at #353 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is electricians a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for electricians is +9.5%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 818K positions in 2024 to 896K in 2034, a net change of 78K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.

What do electricians do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working electricians, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
2. 2.Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
3. 3.Direct or train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
4. 4.Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.
5. 5.Provide preliminary sketches or cost estimates for materials or services.
6. 6.Perform business management duties, such as maintaining records or files, preparing reports, or ordering supplies or equipment.
7. 7.Perform physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches to lay conduit or moving or lifting heavy objects.
8. 8.Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.

Top skills for electricians

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become electrician?

Electricians typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
  $106,580 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
  $78,690 median
• Roof Bolters, Mining
  $76,640 median
• Boilermakers
  $73,340 median
• Construction and Building Inspectors
  $72,120 median
• Pile Driver Operators
  $70,510 median

Common questions parents ask about electricians