Career Path Explorer
There Isn't Just One Kind of Electrician.
Compare specializations, environments, credentials, and where demand is strongest across the country.
Data Center Electrician
Builds and maintains the power backbone of AI and cloud infrastructure — switchgear, UPS systems, distribution, and backup generation.
$40–$72 / hr
+84% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Industrial Electrician
Keeps plants running: motor controls, drives, PLC-connected systems, and heavy power distribution inside manufacturing facilities.
$35–$58 / hr
+53% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Commercial Electrician
Installs and services electrical systems in offices, hospitals, schools, retail, and mixed-use construction.
$33–$55 / hr
+45% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026High Voltage Electrician
Works on medium- and high-voltage systems, terminations, and equipment where specialized safety practice is mandatory.
$34–$55 / hr
+46% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Low Voltage Technician
Installs structured cabling, access control, security, AV, and network infrastructure across commercial buildings.
$25–$40 / hr
+7% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Controls Electrician
Bridges power and automation: control panels, instrumentation wiring, and integration with plant control systems.
$34–$58 / hr
+51% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026PLC Technician
Programs, troubleshoots, and maintains programmable logic controllers driving automated production.
$32–$55 / hr
+43% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Instrumentation Technician
Calibrates and maintains process instrumentation and measurement loops in industrial environments.
$32–$50 / hr
+35% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Solar Electrician
Builds utility-scale and commercial PV systems, inverters, combiners, and interconnections.
$30–$55 / hr
+40% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026EV Charging Technician
Installs and commissions Level 2 and DC fast charging infrastructure for fleets, retail, and highway corridors.
$28–$48 / hr
+25% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Substation Electrician
Constructs, tests, and maintains substation equipment, relays, and protection systems for utilities and industry.
$40–$68 / hr
+78% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Utility Electrician
Supports generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure for power providers.
$35–$58 / hr
+53% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Maintenance Electrician
In-house electrical support keeping facilities and production equipment operational.
$28–$48 / hr
+25% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Marine Electrician
Installs and repairs electrical systems on vessels, shipyards, and offshore structures.
$28–$48 / hr
+25% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Electrical Foreman
Runs the crew and the work in the field: manpower, sequencing, material, and safety.
$40–$70 / hr
+81% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Electrical Superintendent
Owns field execution across an entire project — multiple crews, schedule, and coordination.
$105k–$170k / yr
+118% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Electrical Estimator
Turns drawings and specs into accurate pricing that wins profitable electrical work.
$90k–$175k / yr
+110% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Electrical Project Manager
Owns budget, schedule, procurement, and client relationships on electrical scopes.
$100k–$175k / yr
+118% vs national medianUpdated Oct 12, 2026Percentages compare the midpoint of each career's pay range to the BLS OEWS, May 2025 national median for all electricians ($30.38/hr, $63,190/yr, SOC 47-2111). Salaried roles are compared on an annual basis. Career ranges are estimates from published 2026 journeyman and specialty wage data, not direct BLS figures.