🔌 How much does an electrician make?
U.S.: the median electrician earns $63,190 a year; the lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,640, and the top 10% earn over $108,510. Japan’s 2025 official average is about ¥6.28 million.
Experience and location affect pay; U.S. figures show wage percentiles, while Japan’s figure is a survey average.
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Typical full-time electrician (median) | $63,190 | BLS median wage, May 2025 |
| Top 10% (above this threshold) | $108,510 | BLS 90th-percentile cutoff, May 2025 |
Electrician salary in Japan: about $42K a year
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical full-time electrician (median) | $5,266 | $173 |
| Top 10% (above this threshold) | $9,043 | $297 |
About $30 an hour
Where does the money come from?
- Regular wages: The 2025 typical yearly pay for electricians in the United States was $63,190. Source
- Overtime: Overtime is common, and schedules may include evenings and weekends. Source
- Union benefits: For example, IBEW Local 236 lists health coverage, pensions, and an annuity alongside hourly wages. Source
How do you become an electrician?
In the United States, finish high school or an equivalent, then apply for an electrician apprenticeship. Most programs take 4–5 years and combine paid work training with classes. Check local rules and pass the required licensing exam where needed; rules vary.
- Earn a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Apply for an electrician apprenticeship.
- Complete the 4- to 5-year training program.
- Pass the required exam and get licensed where required.
Qualifications and exams
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Most states require electricians to pass an exam and get a license; rules vary by state and locality.
A day as an electrician
At a home or building site, an electrician checks the plan, runs wires through protective tubing, and installs lights or outlets. Wearing safety gear, they test the circuits, find faults, and repair parts that do not work.
Common questions
What's the typical electrician wage in New Jersey?
The 2025 typical yearly pay for electricians in New Jersey was $77,250. Source
Does pay differ across New Jersey?
It can. In 2025, the typical pay was $98,210 around Trenton-Princeton and $65,710 around Atlantic City-Hammonton. Source
Do apprentices get raises as they learn?
Yes. The BLS says apprentices earn less than fully trained electricians, and their pay rises as they learn more. Source
Is overtime common for U.S. electricians?
Yes. Overtime is common, and work schedules may include evenings and weekends. Extra hours depend on the job and employer. Source
Do union electrician jobs include benefits?
Some do. IBEW Local 236 lists health coverage, pensions, and an annuity as benefits in addition to wages; packages vary by union agreement. Source
Does electrician pay vary by industry?
They can. The BLS explains that wages in the same occupation may differ by industry, including because of working conditions and union presence. Source
This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.
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In Japan
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Official average estimate for electrician work | $41,873 | MHLW job-tag estimate, 2025 |
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Related questions
Jobs in the same group
Data table and sources
- www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/46
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/topics/detail/584
- www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?cycle=0&tclass=000001229512
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/47-2111.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/47-2111.00?st=NJ
- www.ibew236.org/join-us
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm