Electrical industry statistics 2024
The U.S. runs on electricity. From outlets used to charge a phone to everyday home appliances to critical heating and cooling technology, electricity powers households and commercial buildings across the country. Electricians play a vital role in keeping these systems running.
Even as the industry of electrical contractors faces challenges, including a lack of qualified laborers, these workers serve in a variety of positions, from servicing electrical lines and installing solar panels to performing complex testing and maintenance on wiring inside buildings.
There were nearly 713,000 people employed as electricians in the U.S., as of May 2023.
Jump to insightThe average hourly pay for electricians in May 2023 was $32.60, slightly higher than the national average of $31.48 per hour.
Jump to insightThe median age of electricians in 2023 was 39.9 years old.
Jump to insightThe market size for electrical contractors was $225 billion in 2022.
Jump to insightGeneral electrical industry statistics
In an industry that sees upward of $225 billion in revenue annually, one of the biggest challenges is a lack of labor.
While more than 700,000 electricians are employed in the U.S., there is no shortage of work for these employees as the country transitions to renewable energy sources, invests in infrastructure development, and upgrades buildings. With many electricians nearing retirement age and the average electrician being about 40 years old, industry groups have focused on recruiting new workers.
Despite the labor challenges, the industry is expected to see continued growth in the coming years, and is projected to reach a market size of nearly $284 billion by 2028.
Occupational information for electricians
Electricians are responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining a variety of systems reliant on electrical power, including communications devices, control systems, and lighting equipment.
Alongside receiving a high school diploma or its equivalent, the path to becoming an electrician involves enrolling in an apprenticeship program that includes paid on-the-job training and technical instruction. Some electricians also start by attending a technical school to learn about the profession.
These programs can take four to five years to complete, and to advance to the next level — as a journeyman or electrical contractor — most states require a license, which come with different training requirements.
Depending on the state, electrical workers can earn a license as a master electrician with enough experience. They can also receive certificates for demonstrating competency in specialized areas such as electrical generating or lighting systems.
Electrician industry employment data
There were more than 700,000 electricians employed across the U.S. as of May 2023. The number of electricians has grown by about 8.7% nationally over the past five years, increasing from about 656,000 in May 2018.
Electricians earned an average wage of $32.60 per hour as of May 2023, about 3.6% higher than the national average of $31.48 per hour.
There are also thousands of workers employed in similar jobs within the electrical industry. As of 2023, there were nearly 69,000 people employed as electricians’ helpers, who assist electricians by performing duties requiring less skill, and close to 495,000 electrical or electronics installers and repairers. Another 120,000 workers were employed as electrical power-line installers and repairers.
Wages for these jobs varied from just $19.83 per hour for helpers to $41.30 per hour for power-line technicians.
Employment by state in electrical industry
California was home to more technicians than any other state as of May 2023, with nearly 73,000 employed in the state. The number of electricians by state aligns roughly with the population by state, with Texas in second (almost 71,000 electricians), and Florida in third (about 47,000 electricians).
Wyoming has the highest share of electricians per 1,000 jobs in the state (8.67), followed by North Dakota (7.61) and Utah (6.76).
Electricians along the West Coast and Northeast earn higher wages than their counterparts in the South. Electricians in Washington D.C. recorded the highest average pay as of May 2023 ($42.72 per hour), followed by Washington ($42.61 per hour) and Hawaii ($42.44 per hour).
Industry demographics
As of May 2023, about 39% of electricians were 45 years old or older. However, the median age of electricians, 39.9, was slightly lower than the median age of all workers nationally, about 42.1.
Electricians are also overwhelmingly male. In 2021, men made up nearly 98% of the workforce, compared to just above 2% for women.
The majority of electricians (77%) were white as of 2021, and about 20% of electrical workers were Hispanic.
Largest electrical contractor companies
There were about 239,000 electrician-based businesses in the U.S. as of 2023, marking an increase of about 2.1% over 2022.
Leading the pack, Texas-based Quanta Services recorded the highest revenue of any U.S. electrical contracting business in 2022, with nearly $17 billion in revenue. The next-closest contracting company was Colorado-based MYR Group, which recorded more than $3 billion in revenue in 2022. In a close third place was California-based electrical contractor Rosendin Electric.
A lack of electricians to meet rising demands
For years now, reports on the future of the electrical industry have focused on impending workforce issues, as more electricians retire and fewer enter the workforce. A 2020 report from Klein Tools and The Accelerate Group projected the difference between the actual size of the electrical workforce and the electrical workforce need will exceed 462,000 workers by 2040 — a gap that will lead to more frequent and longer-lasting power outages.
While the number of electricians has grown in recent years — from about 656,000 in 2018 to nearly 713,000 in 2023 — these concerns remain front and center for an industry that will depend on the availability of workers to support long-term national goals to transition to more vehicles, infrastructure, and buildings reliant on electricity.
The outlook remains strong for prospective electrical workers, though, with the employment of electricians expected to rise by 6% between 2022 and 2032, about double the national average for employment growth.
FAQ
How many electricians are there in the U.S.?
There were nearly 713,000 people employed as electricians as of May 2023.
What is the average pay for an electrician?
The average hourly pay for electricians in May 2023 was $32.60, slightly higher than the national average of $31.48 per hour. Electricians in the District of Columbia recorded the highest average pay as of May 2023 ($42.72 per hour), followed by Washington ($42.61 per hour) and Hawaii ($42.44 per hour).
What is the job outlook for electricians?
While industry groups are concerned about a lack of qualified workers, the demand for electricians remains strong, and employment of electricians is expected to rise by 6% between 2022 and 2032.
How can I become an electrician?
The basic requirements to become an electrician include a high school diploma or its equivalent and an apprenticeship with upwards of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. Other requirements vary by state, and may include additional training for advanced licenses.
References
- “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 47-2111 Electricians.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- “May 2023 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- “Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- “U.S. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS MARKET - INDUSTRY OUTLOOK & FORECAST 2023-2028.” Arizton. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- Klein Tools. "Dark by 2050." The Accelerate Group. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- Electricians Summary.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- “How to Become an Electrician.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- “OCCUPATIONAL EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES — MAY 2018.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- “Electricians.” Data USA. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- “Electricians in the US - Number of Businesses.” IBISWorld. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- “Largest companies in electrical contracting based on revenue in the United States from 2014 to 2022.” Statista. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- Lovely, L. “Electrician Shortage Is Ongoing, Despite Growing Demand.” Electrical Contractor Magazine. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
- “Electricians Job Outlook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated Apr. 10, 2024.Link Here
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