Free financial calculators. No signup. 100% private. Data sourced from IRS.gov and BLS.gov.

Electrical Apprentice · 2026 salary + AI outlook

Electrical Apprentice salary — and how to earn like the top 1%

$38,000median / year · about $18 an hour (BLS)

The trade itself is automation-proof; apprentices who land a union slot, target data-center and EV-charging work, and finish the journeyman license fast out-earn peers for decades.

Entry level
$28,000
Top earners
$52,000
Job growth
+8%
AI exposure
Low
🏆 The Top 1% Playbook

How to reach the top 1% of Electrical Apprentices

Four moves, straight from how the highest-paid in this field use AI in 2026:

1
Land a union slot Compete for an IBEW / electrical training ALLIANCE inside-wireman apprenticeship. Union scale, benefits, and a pension outrun most non-union tracks, and your wage steps up automatically as you bank OJT hours.
2
Target data centers Steer OJT hours toward data-center, industrial-controls, and EV-charging or solar work. These sectors are hiring hard and pay journeymen well above residential — pick the specialty before you top out.
3
Pass the journeyman fast Every step-up and the license exam raises your wage, so don't stall. Use NEC code-lookup apps and AI exam-prep tools to master the code cycle and clear the journeyman test the first attempt.
4
Add NABCEP or controls Layer a solar (NABCEP), fire-alarm, or PLC/controls credential onto the license. Dual-skilled electricians command higher rates and stay booked when any one sector slows down.
💡 The move that pays: Getting into a union inside-wireman apprenticeship and finishing the journeyman license without delay is the biggest lever on lifetime electrician pay.
HomeJob Salaries › Electrical Apprentice Salary

Electrical Apprentice Salary in 2026

Electrical Apprentice pay, in real terms

Per hour
$18.27
Per week
$731
Every 2 weeks
$1,462
Per month
$3,167

At the national median of $38,000/year, a electrical apprentice earns $3,167/month before taxes. Over a 30-year career that's roughly $1,140,000 in gross earnings — and that's before raises, promotions, or bonuses.

That puts this role about 21% below the U.S. median wage for all workers (about $48,060/year, per BLS). Using the common rule of keeping housing under 30% of gross pay, this salary supports about $950/month in rent or mortgage.

Figures are gross (pre-tax) estimates from the national median; use the take-home and hourly calculators on PayCrunch for your exact state and situation.

Updated June 2026 · BLS Data
How much does an Electrical Apprentice make?
$38,000per year
National median salary · $18.27/hour · $3,167/month
Hourly
$18.27
Monthly
$3,167
Weekly
$731
Daily
$146
Estimated take-home
$28,880/yr
Adjust Your Market Position
$38,000/yr
Entry Level · $28,000 Top Earner · $52,000
IRS.gov data
BLS.gov verified
All 50 states
No signup required

What Does an Electrical Apprentice Do?

Electrical apprentices learn the electrical trade under licensed electricians, assisting with wiring, fixture installation, and repairs.

Electrical Apprentice Salary by State

Select your state to see the adjusted electrical apprentice salary based on cost-of-living differences.

Select a state above

How to Become an Electrical Apprentice

Education: High school diploma + apprenticeship enrollment

Certifications: State apprentice registration

Career path: Apprentice → Journeyman Electrician → Master Electrician → Electrical Contractor

Electrical Apprentice Salary by Experience

Entry level
$28,000
Mid-career
$38,000
Senior
$47,320

Estimates based on BLS percentile data and industry surveys. Actual salaries vary by employer, location, and individual qualifications.

Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Electrical Apprentices

#StateAnnualMonthlyHourly
1Hawaii$44,840$3,737$21.56
2California$43,700$3,642$21.01
3New York$43,700$3,642$21.01
4Massachusetts$42,560$3,547$20.46
5New Jersey$42,560$3,547$20.46
6Connecticut$41,800$3,483$20.10
7Washington$41,800$3,483$20.10
8Maryland$41,040$3,420$19.73
9Alaska$39,900$3,325$19.18
10Colorado$39,900$3,325$19.18

State salaries estimated using BLS national median adjusted by regional cost-of-living factors.

Compare to Related Jobs

Job TitleMedian SalaryHourlyDifference
Electrical Apprentice$38,000$18.27
Landscaper$38,000$18.27
Woodworker$38,000$18.27
Pest Control Technician$40,000$19.23+$2,000
Forklift Operator$42,000$20.19+$4,000
Pool Technician$42,000$20.19+$4,000
Appliance Installer$42,000$20.19+$4,000

Job Outlook

The BLS projects +8% growth for electrical apprentices through 2032, which is faster than average compared to the average for all occupations (3%).

🆕 New & Trending AI Tools for Electrical ApprenticeReviewed July 2026

We track new AI-tool launches every week and refresh this list — here’s what’s gaining traction for Electrical Apprentice work right now.

Workiz AINEWPaid / see site

Field-service software with an AI receptionist that answers and books calls.

How an Electrical Apprentice uses it: never miss a job call — AI answers, quotes, and schedules

HandoffNEWPaid / see site

AI estimating that turns a scope into a priced proposal.

How an Electrical Apprentice uses it: produce accurate estimates and proposals in minutes, not hours

Trunk ToolsNEWPaid / see site

AI assistant that answers questions from job plans, specs, and submittals on site.

How an Electrical Apprentice uses it: ask a question and get the answer pulled straight from the project drawings/specs

NotebookLMNEWFree / $7.99 mo

Google tool that answers questions grounded only in the documents you give it — with citations.

How an Electrical Apprentice uses it: load your own manuals, policies, or PDFs and ask questions that stay accurate to the source

ChatGPTFree / $20 mo

AI assistant that answers code, spec, and troubleshooting questions in plain language.

How an Electrical Apprentice uses it: look up code requirements, size a circuit, or troubleshoot a fault on the spot

ServiceTitan Titan IntelligenceQuote-based

AI across dispatch, scheduling, and customer follow-up for trades.

How an Electrical Apprentice uses it: route jobs, price work, and follow up with customers automatically

BuildOpsCustom pricing

Commercial trades platform with AI estimating and job management.

How an Electrical Apprentice uses it: manage bids, jobs, and techs with AI-assisted estimating

ClaudeFree / $20 mo

AI assistant known for careful writing, long-document analysis, and coding.

How an Electrical Apprentice uses it: analyze big reports or spreadsheets and turn messy notes into clean, finished writing

Google GeminiFree / $20 mo

Google's AI assistant, built into Gmail, Docs, and Search.

How an Electrical Apprentice uses it: draft and reply inside Google Workspace and research without leaving the page

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a electrical apprentice make?
The national median salary for a electrical apprentice is $38,000 per year, or $18.27 per hour. Entry-level positions start around $28,000 while top earners make $52,000 or more.
What education do you need to become a electrical apprentice?
Most electrical apprentice positions require high school diploma + apprenticeship enrollment. Additional certifications or experience may increase earning potential.
What is the job outlook for electrical apprentices?
Employment of electrical apprentices is projected to grow 8% over the next decade, which is faster than average compared to the average for all occupations.
What are the highest paying states for electrical apprentices?
The highest paying states include Hawaii, California, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, where cost of living adjustments push salaries above the national median.
Can you make six figures as a electrical apprentice?
While the median salary is below six figures, top earners in high-paying states and with significant experience can approach or exceed $100,000.
Methodology and data sources

Salary data is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) program. National median, 10th percentile, and 90th percentile figures are sourced from the most recent BLS OES release. State-level salary estimates are calculated by applying regional price parity adjustments from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to the national median. Job growth projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program. Education and certification requirements are based on BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook descriptions. All figures are approximate and updated periodically.

paycrunch.co · Privacy · Terms · About