Electricians are in high demand across the United States, with wages varying significantly depending on the state and metropolitan area. Factors such as union strength and the combination of industries can play a major role in determining electricians' salaries. For example, Alaska, the fourth highest paying state for electricians, has one of the highest unionization rates in the country, along with a large oil and gas extraction industry that requires highly qualified electricians. Meanwhile, states in the South with lower wages have much weaker unions, and economies are more likely to be based on agriculture or other industries.
To get a better understanding of where electricians are in highest demand, Construction Coverage researchers analyzed data from the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The researchers ranked metropolitan areas based on the average annual wage adjusted for the cost of living of electricians.
Places in Illinois such as Chicago, Peoria, Decatur and Champaign stand out for offering one of the best compensation for electricians in the country. On the other hand, among the 15 states that pay electricians the worst, about half are in the South. The strength of the electrician profession is not uniform across all demographic groups, and the biggest gap in this regard is by gender. Despite growth opportunities offered by the future, employment of electricians is closely related to broader economic trends. When the economy is booming, demand for electricians increases as activity increases in industry and especially in construction. Electricians can enter the field without having to earn a four-year degree, and instead they can opt for an education at a cheaper trade school or an internship that allows them to earn money while honing their skills.
From appliances that store food to phones that keep us in contact with other people no matter where they are, people depend on electricity, making an electrician a very valuable and lucrative job. For more information on where electricians are in highest demand, see our methodology section. Here's a full cost-of-living wage breakdown for electricians in more than 300 metropolitan areas (grouped by size) and in all 50 states.
Where Are Electricians In Highest Demand?
Electricians are highly sought after professionals across the United States due to their expertise in electrical systems and wiring. The demand for electricians varies significantly depending on location and other factors such as union strength and industry composition. For instance, Alaska is one of the highest paying states for electricians due to its high unionization rate and its large oil and gas extraction industry which requires highly skilled electricians. On the other hand, states located in the South tend to have lower wages for electricians due to weaker unions and economies based on agriculture or other industries.To determine which metropolitan areas offer the best compensation for electricians, Construction Coverage researchers analyzed data from the U. The researchers ranked metropolitan areas based on average annual wages adjusted for cost of living. Illinois cities such as Chicago, Peoria, Decatur and Champaign stand out as some of the best paying locations for electricians. On the flip side, 15 states pay electricians some of the lowest wages in the country with about half located in the South.
Factors Affecting Electrician Demand
The strength of the electrician profession is not uniform across all demographic groups with gender being one of the biggest disparities. Despite growth opportunities offered by future trends, employment of electricians is closely related to broader economic trends such as when there is an increase in activity within industry or construction.Electricians can enter this field without having to earn a four-year degree by opting for cheaper trade schools or internships which allow them to earn money while honing their skills. With appliances that store food to phones that keep us connected no matter where we are, people rely heavily on electricity making an electrician a very valuable and lucrative job.
