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Sector

Careers in Electrical Contractors

Electrical contractors wire the power systems that modern buildings depend on โ€” from residential outlets to industrial power distribution. It's technical trade work that typically requires licensing and offers strong wages.

1.1M
U.S. jobs
In this sector
$65K
Median salary
Across all roles
Electrical Contractors jobs by metro area
Bubble size = total employment
Electrical Contractors employment by metro ยท ~393 areas
1.New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ19K
2.Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA11K
3.Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX11K
4.Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX9K
5.Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN8K

Jobs per 100K workforce โ€” measures industry density

1.Kokomo, IN674.4
2.Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX528.3
3.Midland, TX506.4
4.Gulfport-Biloxi, MS461.8
5.Minot, ND450.5
BLS OEWS May 2024
Understanding this Sector
What it's like to work in Electrical Contractors

Electrical contracting draws people interested in power systems โ€” there's satisfaction in the technical knowledge required, solving complex wiring challenges, and being essential to every building project. Many find meaning in skilled work that combines mental and physical effort.

The challenge can come from the safety stakes and code complexity. Electrical work can be dangerous; mistakes have serious consequences. Codes change regularly, requiring ongoing education. Commercial work often means coordination with other trades and tight schedules. Apprenticeship is typically required.

The field varies by specialization. Residential work differs from commercial, industrial, or low-voltage systems. New construction has different rhythms than service and repair. Union versus non-union affects pay, training, and job access.

For those who thrive here, the rewards are substantial: strong wages in a skilled trade, work that stays engaging, job security as electrification expands, and pride in technical expertise. If you're drawn to electrical systems, safety-minded, and want a trade with growing demand, electrical work offers excellent long-term prospects.

How people break in

Apprenticeship is the standard entry. Programs are available through unions and contractors. Journeyman license enables independent work. Contractor license enables business ownership.

Work environment tends toward
Licensed tradeApprenticeship requiredStrong compensationUnion presenceTechnical skill
Industries it connects to
Commercial ConstructionResidential ConstructionEnergy & UtilitiesManufacturing
Salary vs. national average
-8%
$65K median vs. $71K national
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0K$16K$39K$150K$239K*387 metro areas across 50 states, sorted by salary level โ†’
Salary range across all electrical contractors roles
Where your dollar goes furthest
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$93K
2. Boulder$79K
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$76K
4. Durham-Chapel Hill$71K
5. Trenton-Princeton$71K
BLS OEWS May 2024
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.

Median salaries range from ~$71K in mid-market metros to ~$105K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap โ€” metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.

Highest paying
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ยท $105K
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont ยท $89K
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ยท $82K
Best purchasing power
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ยท $93K adj.
Boulder ยท $79K adj.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ยท $76K adj.
Most jobs
New York ยท 20M
Los Angeles ยท 13.2M
Chicago ยท 9.9M
BLS OEWS May 2024 ยท BEA Regional Price Parities

What the data says about this sector

Beyond salary and job counts โ€” signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in Electrical Contractors.

๐Ÿšช
Annual Quit Rate
Based on all Construction data
19%
People tend to stay in Construction. Lower turnover often indicates better working conditions or higher switching costs.
โ†“ 3%vs. 22% all industries
๐Ÿข
Typical Employer Size
Small-skewed
Small businesses dominate. More variety in roles but less formal structure and benefits.
96%
Small
<50
4%
Mid
50โ€“249
0%
Large
250+
๐Ÿ 
Remote / Hybrid Prevalence
Remote-friendly
Many roles can be done remotely. Location flexibility is a realistic expectation.
Mostly on-siteHybrid commonRemote-first
๐Ÿ“‹
Credential Density
Moderate
Most roles don't require formal credentials. Skills and experience matter more than certificates.
Few credentialsSome requiredMany required
๐Ÿค
Union Presence
Based on all Construction data
~12%
Moderate union coverage varies by employer and role. Some positions are covered, others aren't.
โ†‘ 12%vs. 11% all industries
BLS JOLTS 2024 ยท BLS QCEW 2024 ยท O*NET Work Context ยท BLS Union Members Summary 2024
Career Tracks

Career tracks in Electrical Contractors

How jobs in this sector break down by function, and what they typically pay.

Maintenance & Repair ยท Skilled trades in construction โ€” electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs. Union and non-union paths, licensing required, strong demand.
18%
$62K median
Explore โ†’
Construction ยท The heart of the industry. Residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. Union and non-union paths. Physical work with clear advancement.
17%
$64K median
Explore โ†’
Arts & Media ยท Architectural visualization, signage design, and construction documentation. Technical precision meets design skill. AutoCAD and 3D modeling valued.
13%
$65K median
Explore โ†’
Business Operations
6%
$74K median
Explore โ†’
Transportation ยท Construction transportation โ€” heavy equipment operators, material haulers, and the logistics keeping job sites supplied and moving.
6%
$65K median
Explore โ†’
Admin & Office
5%
$63K median
Explore โ†’
Median salary for occupations employed within Electrical Contractors. BLS OEWS May 2024.

Explore careers in Electrical Contractors

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) ยท BLS JOLTS 2024 ยท BLS QCEW 2024 ยท O*NET Work Context ยท BLS Employment Projections 2024โ€“2034
Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.