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Electricians in Pennsylvania: what they earn
Electricians in Pennsylvania earned a median $67,600 a year in May 2025, $32.50 an hour. 22,730 people held the job, 3.7 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 7% above the national figure of $63,190, and Pennsylvania ranks 22 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become an electrician in Pennsylvania — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from No statewide authority — municipalities license (e.g., City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections); state Uniform Construction Code oversight by PA Department of Labor & Industry. ↓
The full wage spread in Pennsylvania
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21.92 | $45,600 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $26.51 | $55,140 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $32.50 | $67,600 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $45.92 | $95,500 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $58.95 | $122,620 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $36.43 | $75,770 | The average. Pulled up by the top earners. |
Annual figures are the hourly rate times 2,080 hours, BLS's full-time year. Overtime is inside the survey's earnings but not separated out.
Pennsylvania against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Nevada | $73,570 | 8,350 |
| 20 | Maryland | $73,490 | 13,690 |
| 21 | Indiana | $68,490 | 19,020 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $67,600 | 22,730 |
| 23 | Kansas | $65,860 | 6,350 |
| 24 | North Dakota | $65,710 | 3,570 |
| 25 | Missouri | $65,410 | 12,780 |
The complete ranking is on the Electricians page.
Against the national figure
| Pennsylvania | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $67,600 | $63,190 |
| Median hourly | $32.50 | $30.38 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $45,600 | $42,640 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $122,620 | $108,510 |
| Employed | 22,730 | 757,220 |
Other trades in Pennsylvania
Plumbers and pipefitters ($68,080) · HVAC technicians ($62,400) · Welders ($52,900) · Truck drivers (CDL) ($58,580)
See all five ranked by pay in Pennsylvania.
How to become an electrician in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license — the state does not license most construction trades, so cities set their own rules. Philadelphia, for example, licenses electrical contractors.
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide (no license) | Pennsylvania has no state licensure or certification for electricians; requirements are set locally by each municipality. | — | — | — |
| Philadelphia Electrical Contractor (city example) | Four years working in electrical for a licensed company, pass the Philadelphia Electrical Contractor exam (ICC), carry the required insurance, and hold a Business Income & Receipts Tax number and Commercial Activity License. Renews annually with 8 hours of NFPA 70 coursework. | — | Philadelphia Electrical Contractor Examination (International Code Council) | $262 |
Reciprocity. No state license means no statewide reciprocity; recognition is set municipality by municipality.
Renewal. Annual (Philadelphia city license), with 8 hours of continuing education.
Licensing sources: PA L&I Contractor Licensing (Uniform Construction Code) (retrieved 2026-09-16) · City of Philadelphia Electrical Contractor License (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with No statewide authority — municipalities license (e.g., City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections); state Uniform Construction Code oversight by PA Department of Labor & Industry before you act.
Compare the time and cost to get licensed across trades and states →
Common questions
Do you need a license to work as an electrician in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license — the state does not license most construction trades, so cities set their own rules. Philadelphia, for example, licenses electrical contractors.
What does it cost to get licensed as an electrician in Pennsylvania?
The main application or license fee is $262; separate exam or endorsement fees can apply, as noted in the table above.
How long does it take to become an electrician in Pennsylvania?
It depends on which credential you need and the training and testing each step takes — the full path is in the table above.
The pay and employment figures above are the May 2025 BLS estimates; the licensing detail is sourced separately from the state authority and dated inline. See how the numbers are built.