Electrician Pay · Pennsylvania

Electrician Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

Real pay by career stage, top employers, and apprenticeships — researched and maintained by a working journeyman. Updated 2026.

Pennsylvania electricians earn solid, dependable money — and the trade is one of the few six-figure-capable careers you can enter with zero student debt. Apprentices earn a paycheck from day one, journeymen handle independent work at full scale, and master electricians who run jobs or own a business sit at the top. Overtime (ot adds $12-25k) can push take-home well above the base figures.

Pennsylvania Electrician Pay Range

$58-105k

⏱ OT adds $12-25k

Pay by Career Stage in Pennsylvania

Here's how electrician pay progresses in Pennsylvania, from your first year as an apprentice to journeyman and master. Apprentices earn while they learn — no tuition, no student debt.

Apprentice$27/hr

Journeyman$50/hr

Master$60/hr

Before You Decide

Is Electrician Work Worth It vs College?

See how a Pennsylvania electrician career stacks up against a four-year degree — lifetime earnings, debt, and net worth, side by side.

Run the Wealth Calculator → See the pay map →

Top Electrical Employers in Pennsylvania

These are electrical contractors and firms Pennsylvania electricians rate highly, based on field reviews. Pay, overtime, and culture vary between shops — ask around before you sign on.

IBEW Local 5 contractors★ 4.0 (18 reviews)

Electric Power Services★ 3.9 (12 reviews)

Apprenticeships & Training in Pennsylvania

You don't pay your way into this trade — you get hired into it. These are the apprenticeship programs and schools that feed Pennsylvania's electrical workforce. IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) and IEC chapters are the main routes; community and technical colleges offer pre-apprentice electrical programs.

IBEW Local 5 JATCApprenticeship (Pittsburgh)

Pennsylvania College of TechElectrical Technology

How to Become an Electrician in Pennsylvania

The path is the same proven route used across the country, applied locally: get your high school diploma or GED, work on the basics (math, mechanical aptitude, a clean driving record), and apply to an apprenticeship through one of the programs above. You'll spend roughly 4–5 years as a paid apprentice before testing out as a journeyman at full Pennsylvania scale — then you can pursue a master electrician license.

For the complete step-by-step — aptitude tests, what the work is actually like, and how to stand out on an application — read our full guide to becoming an electrician.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, electrician pay ranges roughly $58-105k depending on career stage. Apprentices start lower and journeymen earn the middle of that range, with master electricians and overtime pushing total pay higher. OT adds $12-25k.

How long does it take to become an electrician in Pennsylvania?

Most electrician apprenticeships in Pennsylvania run about 4 to 5 years. You earn a paycheck the entire time — apprentices are paid employees, not students paying tuition. By the end you test out as a journeyman, and can later pursue a master electrician license.

Do you need a degree to be an electrician in Pennsylvania?

No. You need a high school diploma or GED and acceptance into an apprenticeship (IBEW/NECA or IEC). No four-year degree and no student debt. You'll also need to pass your state licensing exam to work as a journeyman or master.

Where do Pennsylvania electricians find apprenticeships?

Through IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs), IEC (Independent Electrical Contractors) chapters, and community/technical college programs in Pennsylvania. Top local employers include IBEW Local 5 contractors, Electric Power Services.