How Much Do Electricians Make? (Hourly, Per Year, and by Level)
6 min read·Updated June 2026
The short answer
Electrician pay rises sharply with license level. Apprentices commonly earn $18 to $25 an hour, journeymen $25 to $40, and master electricians more. Self-employed electricians and business owners who bill $60 to $150 an hour can clear $80,000 to well over $150,000 a year.
By level
- Apprentice: roughly $18 to $25 per hour while training.
- Journeyman: roughly $25 to $40 per hour.
- Master / licensed contractor: higher, plus the ability to run jobs and crews.
Employed vs. self-employed
An employed electrician earns a wage; a licensed electrician running their own business bills the full job and keeps the margin. That is the jump from a good hourly wage to six figures, especially once they hire other electricians.
How electricians earn more
- Advance from apprentice to journeyman to master license.
- Go self-employed and bill jobs, not just hours.
- Use flat-rate pricing and charge a service-call fee.
- Win recurring commercial and contractor relationships.
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