Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship, but some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require electricians to be licensed. PayThe median annual wage for electricians was $63,190 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of electricians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 72,700 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for electricians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of electricians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about electricians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Learn about training pathways and use the career details above to identify the type of apprenticeship or technical preparation to research.
Pay
The median annual wage for electricians was $63,190 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of electricians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 72,700 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for electricians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of electricians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about electricians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of electricians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 72,700 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for electricians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of electricians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about electricians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.
Work Environment
Almost all electricians work full time. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends. Overtime is common.
How to Become an Electrician
Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship, but some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require electricians to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for electricians was $63,190 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of electricians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 72,700 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for electricians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of electricians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about electricians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Almost all electricians work full time. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends. Overtime is common.
How to Become an Electrician
Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship, but some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require electricians to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for electricians was $63,190 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of electricians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 72,700 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for electricians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of electricians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about electricians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for electricians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of electricians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about electricians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about electricians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Apprenticeship & Training
Learn about training pathways and use the career details above to identify the type of apprenticeship or technical preparation to research.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.