Journeyman Electrician Salary Calculator

Below is a complete guide to every section covered on this Journeyman Electrician Salary Calculator page. Each section is structured as a question so you can jump directly to the answer most relevant to your situation.

1. What Are the Salary Ranges for a Journeyman Electrician?
2. What Is the Entry Level Salary for a Journeyman Electrician?
3. How Much Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn at Entry Level vs Senior Level?
4. What Are the Best Job Markets for Journeyman Electricians?
5. Which Employers Hire Journeyman Electricians and What Do They Pay?
6. What Job Responsibilities Affect Journeyman Electrician Salary?
7. What Factors Push Journeyman Electrician Salary Higher?
8. What Factors Lead to Lower Journeyman Electrician Salary?
9. What Benefits Do Journeyman Electricians Typically Receive?
10. What Skills Influence Journeyman Electrician Salary?
11. How Does Journeyman Electrician Salary Vary by Different States and Cities?

The salary calculator uses a national median hourly base pay of $29.50 as its reference point for journeyman-level electricians. Under a standard full-time assumption of 40 hours per week, this translates to approximately $61,360 per year at the midpoint. However, the calculator produces low and high ranges to reflect real-world variation.

At the low end, journeyman electricians in smaller markets or non-union shops may see hourly rates in the range of $22.00–$26.00, yielding annual earnings between roughly $45,760 and $54,080. At the high end, union journeymen in large metro areas with prevailing wage projects can command $38.00–$48.00 per hour, pushing annual gross pay to $79,040–$99,840 or higher with overtime.

The calculator lets you adjust hours per week, so if you typically work 45 or 50 hours on commercial job sites, your weekly, monthly, and annual estimates scale accordingly. Selecting part-time reduces all projections proportionally. Toggling the union membership option adds the approximate 15% hourly uplift before any of these conversions are made.

In the electrical trade, "entry level" corresponds to the apprentice stage rather than a vague count of years on a resume. The salary calculator models this through its apprenticeship stage selector. When you select the apprentice tier, the calculator applies a significant downward adjustment from the $29.50 journeyman base rate to reflect the structured pay progression embedded in electrical apprenticeship programs.

First-year electrical apprentices typically earn between $16.00 and $20.00 per hour, which works out to roughly $33,280–$41,600 annually at 40 hours per week. Most apprenticeship programs — whether administered through the IBEW/NECA joint apprenticeship, the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), or a state-registered program — structure pay increases at defined intervals, often every six months or 1,000 hours of on-the-job training. By the fourth year of a typical five-year apprenticeship, hourly rates often reach $24.00–$27.00, approaching but not yet matching journeyman scale.

The calculator also factors in location and union status at the apprentice level. A first-year IBEW apprentice in New York City starts meaningfully higher than a non-union apprentice in a small market in North Carolina due to prevailing wage requirements and local cost of living. Use the calculator's apprenticeship stage, market size, and location inputs together to get an accurate entry-level estimate for your situation.

The salary calculator's apprenticeship stage model makes the gap between entry level and senior level concrete and measurable. At the apprentice stage, hourly rates start in the $16.00–$20.00 range. At the journeyman stage, the calculator centers on $29.50 per hour. At the master electrician stage, the calculator applies an upward adjustment that typically places hourly rates between $36.00 and $52.00, depending on market size and union status.

The union toggle amplifies this gap further. A union master electrician in a large metro area like Chicago or Boston will see the 15% union uplift applied to an already elevated base rate, pushing top-end hourly pay above $55.00. Meanwhile, a non-union apprentice in a small market may be looking at $16.00 flat. The calculator lets you compare these scenarios side by side by changing the stage selector, union toggle, and market size inputs.

This progression is not hypothetical — it mirrors the actual pay scales published by IBEW locals and state licensing boards. The jump from apprentice to journeyman represents the single largest pay increase in the trade, typically a 40–60% bump once a state journeyman license is obtained.

The strongest job markets for journeyman electricians combine high construction volume, strong union presence, prevailing wage requirements on public projects, and elevated cost of living that pushes base rates upward. The salary calculator's market size adjustment reflects this — large metro areas consistently produce higher salary estimates than small or mid-sized markets.

Markets like San Francisco and New York City produce the highest gross numbers, but the calculator's after-tax module reveals that state income tax and cost of living can significantly reduce take-home pay. Houston and Dallas offer lower gross rates but zero state income tax in Texas, which closes the gap on a net-pay basis. Use the calculator to compare gross and after-tax outcomes across these markets.

Journeyman electricians are hired by a wide range of employers, from large national electrical contractors to regional firms and industrial facilities, with pay varying significantly based on the type of work and employer scale.

IBEW signatory contractors typically set the ceiling for journeyman pay because their rates are negotiated through collective bargaining agreements that include automatic wage increases and benefit contributions. Non-union firms like Helix Electric and Pike Corporation remain competitive in markets with lower union density. The calculator's union toggle directly models this distinction — selecting it applies the 15% uplift that approximates the difference between union scale and open-shop rates in most regions.

A journeyman electrician's daily responsibilities directly shape their earning potential, and the salary calculator's adjustments reflect the complexity and risk associated with different types of electrical work.

The core scope of a journeyman electrician includes installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. This covers running conduit and wire, terminating panels and switchgear, installing lighting and power distribution systems, troubleshooting faults using meters and diagnostic equipment, and reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, and NEC code requirements.

Journeyman electricians who work on industrial and high-voltage systems — such as motor control centers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), 480V three-phase distribution, and medium-voltage switchgear — consistently command higher rates than those focused on residential rough-in and finish work. Hospital, data center, and pharmaceutical facility work carries additional code compliance requirements (NFPA 70E, NFPA 99) that further justify premium pay.

Foreman and general foreman responsibilities, while still under a journeyman license, add supervisory duties such as managing apprentices, coordinating with general contractors, and tracking material and labor budgets. These roles typically add $3.00–$8.00 per hour above base journeyman scale and are reflected when you select the upper range in the salary calculator's output.

Several concrete factors elevate a journeyman electrician's salary estimate in the calculator, each tied to measurable inputs or market conditions.

Union membership is the single most impactful toggle in the calculator. Activating it applies an approximate 15% hourly uplift, which compounds across weekly, monthly, and annual estimates. In practice, IBEW journeyman scale in cities like Chicago (Local 134) and New York City (Local 3) includes not only higher base wages but also employer-paid pension, annuity, and health fund contributions that do not appear in non-union paychecks.

Large metro market size triggers the calculator's highest geographic adjustment factor. Construction volume in large metros sustains demand that keeps wages elevated, particularly when prevailing wage laws apply to public infrastructure, schools, and government buildings.

Advancement to master electrician stage in the calculator applies the highest tier adjustment. Holding a master electrician license allows you to pull permits, supervise multiple journeymen, and bid on projects independently — all of which translate to higher compensation whether you work for a contractor or operate your own shop.

Specialized certifications such as OSHA 30, NFPA 70E arc flash safety, EPA Section 608, and fire alarm (NICET) credentials signal competency in higher-risk and higher-margin work segments. Employers in California and Connecticut are particularly likely to pay premiums for these credentials due to stringent state licensing and safety requirements.

Overtime and shift differentials are common on commercial and industrial projects. While the calculator lets you input hours above 40 per week, in practice, many collective bargaining agreements mandate time-and-a-half after 8 hours daily or on Saturdays, and double-time on Sundays and holidays.

The salary calculator also reveals conditions that reduce earning potential for journeyman electricians, and understanding these is essential for accurate planning.

Small market size applies the calculator's lowest geographic adjustment. Rural areas and small towns have fewer large-scale commercial or industrial projects, and the absence of prevailing wage requirements means contractors set rates based on local competition rather than negotiated scale. A journeyman working in a small market in Indiana or Ohio may see hourly rates 20–30% below what the same credentials command in a large metro.

Non-union employment removes the 15% uplift entirely. In states with lower union density — such as Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia — the majority of electrical work is performed open-shop, and base rates tend to cluster in the $24.00–$30.00 range even for experienced journeymen.

Residential-only focus limits earning potential because residential electrical work carries lower material costs, simpler code requirements, and tighter profit margins for contractors compared to commercial or industrial projects. This translates directly to lower hourly rates offered to journeymen.

Part-time hours or underemployment reduces all calculator outputs proportionally. Seasonal slowdowns in northern states during winter months can effectively reduce annual earnings even if the hourly rate remains constant. The calculator's hours-per-week input lets you model these scenarios accurately.

1099 classification without adjustment can mislead. If you are classified as an independent contractor (1099), the calculator's after-tax module shows the impact of self-employment tax, which adds roughly 7.65% on top of income tax compared to W-2 employment where the employer covers half of FICA.

Benefits for journeyman electricians vary dramatically based on whether they are W-2 employees, 1099 independent contractors, or working under a union collective bargaining agreement, and the salary calculator's after-tax module helps quantify these differences.

Union journeyman electricians (W-2) typically receive a comprehensive benefits package funded by employer contributions negotiated into the collective bargaining agreement. This includes a defined-benefit pension, an annuity or 401(k) with employer match, family health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), paid holidays, vacation fund contributions, and access to JATC continuing education at no personal cost. In many IBEW locals, the total package value — wages plus benefits — exceeds the base wage by 40–60%.

Non-union W-2 journeyman electricians at mid-size and large contractors typically receive employer-sponsored health insurance, a 401(k) with a 3–6% match, paid time off, and sometimes a company vehicle or tool allowance. The salary calculator's 401(k) input lets you model how contributions affect your take-home pay under this arrangement.

1099 independent contractors receive no employer-provided benefits and are responsible for their own health insurance, retirement savings, and self-employment taxes. The calculator's W-2 vs 1099 toggle makes this visible — switching to 1099 increases the tax burden shown in the after-tax estimate, reflecting the full 15.3% FICA obligation plus the absence of employer benefit contributions.

When comparing job offers, the calculator's after-tax output helps you evaluate whether a higher 1099 hourly rate actually produces more take-home pay than a lower W-2 rate with full benefits — a critical calculation in the electrical trade where both arrangements are common.

The skills a journeyman electrician brings to a job site directly influence where they land within the salary calculator's low-to-high range, and certain competencies consistently correlate with the upper end of estimates.

NEC code fluency and blueprint reading are baseline requirements, but electricians who can interpret complex one-line diagrams, control schematics, and coordination study documents for commercial and industrial systems are positioned for higher-paying projects. This is the foundational skill set that separates journeymen working $35+/hour industrial shutdowns from those doing $25/hour residential service calls.

Motor controls and PLC programming open the door to industrial maintenance and automation work, which commands premium rates. Facilities in Michigan (automotive manufacturing), Ohio (steel and chemical processing), and Texas (petrochemical) specifically seek journeymen with these capabilities.

Medium-voltage and high-voltage experience — including splicing, termination, and testing of cables rated 5kV and above — is a skill set that fewer journeymen possess and that carries higher pay and higher responsibility.

Fire alarm and low-voltage systems proficiency, including NICET certification, adds a secondary revenue stream and makes a journeyman more valuable to employers who perform integrated electrical and life safety work.

Conduit bending precision — particularly with rigid metal conduit (RMC) and intermediate metal conduit (IMC) in exposed commercial applications — remains a hands-on skill that distinguishes highly productive journeymen and contributes to foreman-track advancement.

Estimating and project coordination skills position a journeyman for supervisory roles. Employers pay more for electricians who can manage material takeoffs, labor tracking, and subcontractor coordination, as these responsibilities reduce overhead and improve project margins.

The salary calculator adjusts estimates based on location, incorporating differences in state income tax, cost of living, union density, licensing requirements, and local demand. Below are location-specific breakdowns for key states and cities.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in New York?

New York has some of the highest journeyman electrician wages in the country, driven by strong IBEW presence, prevailing wage requirements on public projects, and massive ongoing construction in the New York City metro area. The calculator's large metro and union settings produce top-tier estimates here. However, New York's state income tax is among the highest in the nation, and New York City adds its own local income tax, which the after-tax module captures when you select this location. Upstate markets like Buffalo and Syracuse produce lower gross estimates due to smaller market size and reduced construction volume.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in California?

California consistently ranks among the top-paying states for journeyman electricians. The state's aggressive building codes, seismic requirements, Title 24 energy compliance, and massive infrastructure spending sustain elevated demand. IBEW locals in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego negotiate some of the highest scales nationally. California's state income tax is progressive and high at upper brackets, which the calculator reflects in after-tax estimates. The state also requires a separate certification for journeyman electricians (C-10 license for contractors), adding a credentialing layer that supports wage premiums.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Florida?

Florida has no state income tax, which meaningfully boosts take-home pay in the calculator's after-tax output. Gross hourly rates tend to be moderate — typically $24.00–$34.00 for journeymen — reflecting lower union density and a competitive open-shop market. However, sustained population growth, hurricane-related rebuilding, and commercial development in South Florida and the Tampa–Orlando corridor keep demand steady. Florida requires a state journeyman license, and electricians with both residential and commercial endorsements access a wider range of projects.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Texas?

Texas combines zero state income tax with massive industrial and commercial construction activity, particularly in the Houston petrochemical corridor and the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The calculator shows strong after-tax outcomes despite moderate gross rates because no state tax is deducted. Union presence is lower than in northeastern states but significant in industrial sectors, particularly through IBEW locals serving refineries, power plants, and LNG facilities. Texas requires a state journeyman electrician license administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Michigan?

Michigan has historically strong union representation in the electrical trade, particularly in the Detroit metro area where IBEW Local 58 is one of the largest locals in the country. Automotive manufacturing facilities, EV battery plant construction, and ongoing infrastructure investment drive demand for journeymen with industrial experience. The calculator produces above-average estimates when union and large metro settings are selected. Michigan's state income tax is a flat rate, which the after-tax module applies uniformly.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Georgia?

Georgia's electrical market is centered on the Atlanta metro area, where commercial and data center construction has grown substantially. Outside Atlanta, smaller markets in Georgia produce lower salary estimates in the calculator due to reduced demand and limited union presence. Georgia does not require a statewide journeyman electrician license — licensing is handled at the local level — which creates variability in credentialing standards. The state has a moderate income tax rate that the calculator factors into after-tax projections.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Ohio?

Ohio offers a solid middle ground with moderate cost of living and active union locals in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Industrial maintenance work in manufacturing, steel, and chemical processing provides consistent employment for journeymen with controls and motor experience. Ohio's state income tax is graduated, and the calculator applies the appropriate bracket based on estimated annual earnings. Selecting a mid-sized or large metro in Ohio produces noticeably higher estimates than small-market inputs.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in North Carolina?

North Carolina is a right-to-work state with low union density, which generally places journeyman wages in the lower half of the national range. The Research Triangle (Raleigh–Durham) and Charlotte are the strongest markets, driven by tech campus construction, data centers, and hospital expansion. North Carolina requires a state electrical license and has a moderate state income tax. The calculator reflects the combination of lower gross pay and moderate taxes, producing after-tax estimates that are competitive relative to higher-tax northeastern states for similar take-home purchasing power.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Illinois?

Illinois, driven almost entirely by the Chicago metro, is one of the strongest markets for union journeyman electricians in the United States. IBEW Local 134 negotiates a journeyman inside wireman scale that consistently ranks among the top five nationally. Prevailing wage requirements on public projects in Illinois further elevate pay. The state has a flat income tax, and the calculator's after-tax module shows that while gross pay is high, Illinois taxes do reduce take-home relative to zero-tax states. Downstate Illinois markets are significantly weaker and produce lower calculator estimates.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Maryland?

Maryland benefits from proximity to the Washington, DC federal construction market, which sustains demand for journeyman electricians on government facilities, military bases, and cleared contractor projects. The Baltimore metro adds industrial and port-related electrical work. Maryland has a progressive state income tax plus county-level income taxes, which the calculator accounts for in after-tax estimates. Union presence is moderate but significant on prevailing wage projects. A master electrician license is required to pull permits in Maryland, which incentivizes journeymen to advance their credentials.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Indiana?

Indiana is a right-to-work state with a mixed union and non-union market. Indianapolis and the northwest Indiana region (adjacent to Chicago) have the strongest demand, with the Gary–Hammond area benefiting from spillover IBEW work from Illinois. The state has a flat income tax that is among the lower rates nationally, which helps take-home pay. Manufacturing and logistics facility construction provide steady work for journeymen. The calculator produces moderate estimates that improve when the large metro and union inputs are selected for the Indianapolis or northwest Indiana areas.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Virginia?

Virginia's strongest market is the Northern Virginia corridor adjacent to Washington, DC, where data center construction (particularly in Loudoun County) has created enormous demand for journeyman electricians with medium-voltage and critical power experience. Hampton Roads adds military and shipyard-related electrical work. Virginia is a right-to-work state with lower union density, but the sheer volume of large-scale projects in NoVA sustains competitive wages. Virginia's state income tax is moderate, and the calculator reflects this in after-tax outputs.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Connecticut?

Connecticut has strong prevailing wage laws and active IBEW locals that support above-average journeyman rates, particularly in the Fairfield County area near New York City and in the Hartford–New Haven corridor. The state requires a journeyman electrician license (E-2 level) and has among the higher state income tax rates in the country. The calculator's after-tax module shows that Connecticut's high gross wages are partially offset by taxes, but net pay still exceeds many lower-wage, lower-tax states for journeymen working full-time hours.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in New Jersey?

New Jersey offers strong journeyman electrician wages driven by proximity to New York City, active IBEW locals (particularly Local 164), prevailing wage requirements, and substantial pharmaceutical, data center, and industrial construction. The state's licensing requirements are rigorous, and its income tax is progressive with higher rates at upper brackets. The calculator produces high gross estimates for large metro inputs in New Jersey, but the after-tax module reveals that combined state and local taxes reduce take-home pay meaningfully compared to nearby Pennsylvania or zero-tax states.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Chicago?

Chicago is one of the premier markets for union journeyman electricians nationally. IBEW Local 134's negotiated scale, combined with Illinois prevailing wage laws and massive ongoing infrastructure and commercial construction, places Chicago journeymen at the top of the calculator's output range when union and large metro are selected. The city's cost of living is lower than New York or San Francisco, which means the after-tax calculator often shows favorable net-pay outcomes relative to coastal metros.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a deep electrical construction market spanning entertainment, commercial high-rise, hospital, and infrastructure projects. IBEW Local 11 represents a large share of the commercial workforce. The calculator's large metro adjustment combined with the union toggle produces strong gross estimates. California's high state income tax reduces after-tax outcomes, but the volume and variety of available work make LA one of the most reliable large-market job sources for journeyman electricians.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in New York City (NYC)?

New York City produces the highest gross salary estimates for journeyman electricians in the calculator. IBEW Local 3's scale is among the highest in the nation, and virtually all major commercial and public construction in the five boroughs is performed under union agreements. The calculator's after-tax module adds NYC's local income tax on top of New York State's progressive rates, which significantly reduces take-home pay. Despite this, the sheer magnitude of the gross rate — often exceeding $50/hour on scale — means NYC journeymen still achieve strong annual earnings.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Houston?

Houston's electrical market is heavily influenced by the petrochemical, refining, and energy sectors. Journeyman electricians with industrial and instrumentation experience command the highest rates in the Houston market. The absence of state income tax in Texas makes the calculator's after-tax estimates particularly favorable here. Union work is concentrated in the industrial sector (IBEW Local 716), while commercial construction is predominantly open-shop. The calculator produces solid mid-range to high estimates for Houston when the large metro setting is used.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Phoenix?

Phoenix has experienced rapid growth in construction driven by semiconductor manufacturing (TSMC, Intel), data centers, and residential development. Demand for journeyman electricians has increased substantially, though the market remains predominantly non-union. Arizona's state income tax is low, and the calculator reflects this with relatively strong after-tax estimates despite moderate gross rates. The calculator's large metro adjustment applies to Phoenix, boosting estimates above what small Arizona markets would produce.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Atlanta?

Atlanta is Georgia's dominant market for journeyman electricians, with steady demand from data center construction, corporate campus buildouts, and film studio infrastructure. Union density is lower than in northern cities, which keeps the calculator's base estimates moderate. Georgia's income tax is moderate, and the cost of living in metro Atlanta is below that of comparably sized coastal cities, which means the calculator's after-tax output reflects reasonable purchasing power relative to gross earnings.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in San Diego?

San Diego offers strong journeyman wages supported by military base construction, biotech facility buildouts, and commercial development. IBEW Local 569 is active, and California's licensing and prevailing wage requirements apply. The calculator produces high gross estimates but, like all California locations, the after-tax module shows the impact of the state's progressive income tax. San Diego's cost of living is high, making the after-tax comparison especially important when evaluating offers against lower-cost markets.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Washington, DC?

Washington, DC has a concentrated market of federal, institutional, and commercial electrical construction. IBEW Local 26 covers the DC metro area and negotiates competitive scales. Prevailing wage requirements on federal projects — which constitute a large share of the local market — sustain elevated rates. DC has its own income tax structure separate from Maryland and Virginia, and the calculator applies the appropriate rate when DC is selected. The combination of high demand, union presence, and prevailing wage makes DC one of the stronger markets on the East Coast for journeyman electricians.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Boston?

Boston's electrical market benefits from strong union representation (IBEW Local 103), Massachusetts prevailing wage laws, and a construction pipeline driven by healthcare, higher education, and life sciences facilities. The calculator produces high gross estimates with the union and large metro inputs selected. Massachusetts has a flat state income tax, and the after-tax module shows that Boston's take-home pay, while reduced from gross, remains competitive nationally due to the high base rate.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Dallas?

Dallas–Fort Worth is one of the fastest-growing construction markets in the country, with extensive commercial, data center, and infrastructure development. The market is predominantly non-union, and gross rates tend to run slightly below Houston's industrial-influenced wages. However, zero state income tax in Texas produces favorable after-tax calculator estimates. The large metro adjustment applies to the DFW metroplex, and journeymen willing to work overtime on fast-track commercial projects can significantly exceed the base annual estimate.

What Does a Journeyman Electrician Earn in Seattle?

Seattle has emerged as one of the strongest West Coast markets for journeyman electricians, driven by tech campus construction, data center buildouts, and infrastructure investment. IBEW Local 46 negotiates competitive scales, and Washington State has no income tax, which makes the calculator's after-tax estimates among the most favorable for any large metro. The combination of high gross pay and zero state tax puts Seattle near the top nationally for journeyman electrician take-home earnings.