What Is the Average Electrician's Salary in Each State?
According to Zippia, the average annual salaries and hourly wages for electricians in every state, and the District of Columbia, as of February 2022 are:
How Does the Average Electrician Salary in Your State Compare to the National Average?
Zippia reports the average national salary for an electrician as $53,771. Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, and Massachusetts are the states which pay above the 90th percentile, or $75,000 and above. Seven southern states, along with Oklahoma, pay at or below the 10th percentile, or $38,000.
Which Cities Offer the Highest Wages to Electricians?
Unsurprisingly, cities on the West Coast and in the Northeast dominate the top ten in this list. The surprise is that it isn't the most prominent cities, such as New York and Los Angeles, seeking to fill the demand. Instead, it's the likes of Seattle, Buffalo, DC, Detroit, and no less than two Springfields (woo-hoo!) in Massachusetts and Oregon offering competitive wages.
Why Do Some States Pay More?
A higher average electrician salary in some states varies according to regional factors. Alaska is famous for paying high wages and bonuses to attract workers to its harsh, isolated climate. On the other hand, most people would love to live in lush, tropical Hawaii, which also compensates electricians handsomely. Why does Hawaii pay so well? While other local trades tend to earn less than the national average, there simply aren't enough electricians to fill the demand in the 50th state.
An electrician shortage explains the high wages in other top states, too. Studies show that high school students prefer a college education to a trade apprenticeship by an almost 5/1 margin. However, the shift in popularity from working with your hands to your fingers only increases the demand for electrical power. Someone has to run wiring to power and connect all those keyboards and install HVAC devices to keep offices heated or cool at work or home.
Why Do Some States Pay Less?
As noted above, states across the southern regions of the US tend to pay their electricians significantly less than the national average. It isn't due to climate conditions. While the weather isn't quite as lovely as in Hawaii, it isn't nearly as brutal as in Alaska. Nor is there less demand for qualified professionals. In fact, with so many businesses and people relocating to these states, it's as high or higher.
Why is everyone on the move? To paraphrase one famous southern politician, it's the economy. The lower cost of living appeals to workers, while fewer regulations and lower taxes attract businesses and keep the economy booming.
Has COVID Affected the Demand for Electricians?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics based its most recent projections on 2020 figures. The agency found that almost 10,000 fewer electricians were in the workplace in December 2020 than 12 months earlier. As in many other fields, people have been slower in returning to work than hoped. However, that doesn't reduce the demand for electricians in the marketplace. Due to that demand, the Bureau anticipates continued growth in the number of electricians over the coming years.
How Can Existing Businesses Cope With the Shortage of Electricians?
BLS statistics point to a rising population of electricians in virtually every sector, the lone exception being a downturn in major utilities. That follows the trend of small to midsize businesses succeeding in local markets. Vocational centers and high schools are the sources for future generations of electricians. Getting involved with career days and apprentice programs is a long-term solution to the dearth of qualified personnel, while professional staffing agencies can address more immediate needs.
In addition to filling the ranks, consider ways to better manage your current staff's time. Since the computer generation is driving the need for more electricians, let turnabout be fair play. Exploit the best software for handling price quotes, job orders, billing, maintenance schedules, payroll, and more. Increase your technicians' productivity by allowing them to focus on what they do best. Get in touch with ServiceBox today for a free demonstration.
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