How Much Does a Master Electrician Make? (2025)
Master electricians are responsible for ensuring all work performed meets the required safety codes. They inspect, repair, install, and maintain electrical systems, machinery, and equipment, as well as use power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for master electricians projects a 9% growth from 2024 to 2034, with 81,000 job openings every year.
This salary guide will thoroughly discuss the overview of a master electrician salary, as well as factors that affect their compensation, the necessary steps to have higher pay, and some related frequently asked questions.
What is the Average Master Electrician's Salary?
As of September 2, 2025, the average salary for master technicians in the United States is $71,300 per year. The compensation usually ranges from $54,870 to $84,673, with most master electricians earning around $62,700 to $78,300.
2025 Average Salary for Master Electricians: $71,300 per year ($34 per hour)
The average master electrician salary per month is $5,942, while the average weekly rate is $1,371.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $26 | $1,055 | $4,573 | $54,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $30 | $1,206 | $5,225 | $62,700 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $34 | $1,371 | $5,942 | $71,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $38 | $1,506 | $6,525 | $78,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $41 | $1,628 | $7,056 | $84,673 |
Master Electrician Salaries State by State
Master electrician salaries vary for each state due to key factors like living costs, local economies, and the presence of industry.
The state with the highest average annual master electrician salary is the District of Columbia, with $78,900, followed by California, with $78,600, and Massachusetts, with $77,600.
Meanwhile, the state with the lowest average annual salary is Mississippi with $63,600, followed by West Virginia with $64,200 and Arkansas with $64,400.
| States | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $77,200 |
| Alabama | $65,500 |
| Arkansas | $64,400 |
| Arizona | $69,500 |
| California | $78,600 |
| Colorado | $72,700 |
| Connecticut | $76,200 |
| District of Columbia | $78,900 |
| Delaware | $72,200 |
| Florida | $67,500 |
| Georgia | $68,800 |
| Hawaii | $74,500 |
| Iowa | $68,200 |
| Idaho | $66,600 |
| Illinois | $72,700 |
| Indiana | $68,400 |
| Kansas | $67,900 |
| Kentucky | $67,100 |
| Louisiana | $67,800 |
| Massachusetts | $77,600 |
| Maryland | $73,500 |
| Maine | $69,500 |
| Michigan | $70,200 |
| Minnesota | $73,000 |
| Missouri | $67,700 |
| Mississippi | $63,600 |
| Montana | $67,300 |
| North Carolina | $67,800 |
| North Dakota | $70,400 |
| Nebraska | $67,200 |
| New Hampshire | $72,100 |
| New Jersey | $77,300 |
| New Mexico | $66,000 |
| Nevada | $70,600 |
| New York | $75,800 |
| Ohio | $69,400 |
| Oklahoma | $65,900 |
| Oregon | $72,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,000 |
| Rhode Island | $73,900 |
| South Carolina | $66,800 |
| South Dakota | $64,800 |
| Tennessee | $66,600 |
| Texas | $69,500 |
| Utah | $68,300 |
| Virginia | $71,800 |
| Vermont | $70,000 |
| Washington | $77,300 |
| Wisconsin | $70,100 |
| West Virginia | $64,200 |
| Wyoming | $68,400 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Master Electricians?
The cities that give the best salary for master electricians are shown in the table below. With an average annual pay of $89,900, San Jose, California is the best-paying city.
| Cities | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $89,900 ($43 per hour) |
| San Francisco, California | $89,000 ($43 per hour) |
| Oakland, California | $87,100 ($42 per hour) |
| New York, New York | $82,600 ($40 per hour) |
| Queens Village, New York | $82,100 ($39 per hour) |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $81,500 ($39 per hour) |
How Does Experience Affect Master Electrician Salaries?
Just like any profession, more experience will lead to higher pay when it comes to master electrician salary.
With less than a year of experience, an entry level position will have an average starting salary of $67,449. An intermediate level master electrician with 1 to 2 years of experience gets $68,091.
A senior level with 2 to 4 years of experience will have $69,375, while the specialist level with 5 to 8 years of experience usually gets $71,300 on average. The most experienced master electrician is on the expert level with over 8 years of practice, earning $73,912.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Master Electrician | $67,449 |
| Intermediate Level Master Electrician | $68,091 |
| Senior Level Master Electrician | $69,375 |
| Specialist Level Master Electrician | $71,300 |
| Expert Level Master Electrician | $73,912 |
How to Increase Salary as a Master Electrician
The job position as a master electrician usually requires a high school diploma. Some electricians start out by completing a technical school offering programs like circuitry, basic electrical information, and safety practices, while others learn through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program.
They manage teams of journeyman electricians and lead complex installations, so being a master electrician requires 3 to 5 years of related experience and an electrician's licensure through the master electrician exam.
Here are ways to have higher wages for master electricians:
Master Electrician Advancements
- Be part of a union: Master electricians who are union members usually get higher compensation compared to non-union workers. Unionized workers can get better job security, regular salary increases, and benefits, like health insurance and retirement plans, in their pay package due to collective bargaining agreements. Meanwhile, non-union electricians can earn lower wages without the same benefit package.
- Consider business ownership: Once enough experience is earned in the field, many master electricians choose to own electrical businesses since they get more freedom to set their own rates, which gives way to a better income potential. The electrical contracting industry is also expected to increase significantly due to in-demand electrical services in sectors, like residential and commercial.
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Apply in high-paying sectors: Industries differ in compensation, so you must choose the high-paying ones. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the top industries with high annual median salaries for master electricians:
- Natural gas distribution: $104,250
- Promoters of performing arts, sports, and similar events: $86,820
- Land subdivision: $82,630
- Real estate: $81,300
- Monetary authorities-central bank: $81,180
Master Electrician Skills
According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, equipment maintenance skills give the highest increase in salary at 9.21%, followed by skills in failure analysis at 9.04% and electrical diagrams at 8.60%.
Other significant skills with high salary increases are mechanical troubleshooting (8.42%), material handling (7.84%), and safety training (7.13%).
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | 10.60% | +9.21% |
| Failure Analysis | 10.50% | +9.04% |
| Electrical Diagrams | 10.80% | +8.60% |
| Mechanical Troubleshooting | 10.50% | +8.42% |
| Material Handling | 10.50% | +7.84% |
| Safety Training | 10.70% | +7.13% |
What are the FAQs About Master Electrician Salaries?
Here are some common questions about the master electrician salary:
What is the highest pay for a master electrician?
The highest pay for a master electrician in the US is $84,673. Depending on the location and industry, the highest-paying city is San Jose, California, with $89,900, while the top-paying industry is natural gas distribution with $104,250.
Can an electrician make $200,000?
Yes, an electrician can make $200,000 due to advanced skills, vast experience level, specialization, high-demand sectors, and electrical business ownership.
What is the master electrician salary in Maryland?
The master electrician salary in Maryland is $73,500 per year, ranging from $56,688 to $87,446, as of September 2, 2025. The monthly rate is $6,125, with a range of $4,724 to $7,287. The weekly rate is $1,413, with a range of $1,090 to $1,628. The hourly rate is $35, with a range of $27 to $42.
What is the master electrician salary in DC?
The master electrician salary in DC is $78,900 per year, ranging from $60,751 to $93,801, as of September 2, 2025. The monthly rate is $6,125, with a range of $5,063 to $7,817. The weekly rate is $1,413, with a range of $1,168 to $1,804. The hourly rate is $35, with a range of $29 to $45.
