Electrician Salary

Burlington vs Charlotte: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Burlington, NC and Charlotte, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, NC
$52,490
$25.23/hr
Charlotte, NC
$60,332
$29.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, NCCharlotte, NC
Median Salary$52,490$60,332
Hourly Rate$25.23$29.01
Entry Level (P10)$38,295$44,698
25th Percentile$46,352$49,916
75th Percentile$61,292$65,745
Top Earner (P90)$73,884$77,928
Total Employed2305,250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($52,490) and Charlotte ($60,332) electrician salaries.BurlingtonCharlotteMedian Salary$52,490$60,332Entry Level (P10)$38,295$44,698Top Earner (P90)$73,884$77,928US Median $64,530

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Burlington.

The salary gap between Burlington and Charlotte is $7,842 (14.94%). Charlotte's median is -6.51% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $35,589,Charlotte spans $33,230. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$38,295
P25$46,352
Median$52,490
P75$61,292
P90 (Top)$73,884
Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$44,698
P25$49,916
Median$60,332
P75$65,745
P90 (Top)$77,928

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($61,976 effective) pays 10.04% more than Burlington ($56,322 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $52,490
CoL Index: 93.196
Adjusted: $56,322
Charlotte
Nominal: $60,332
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $61,976

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,332/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($77,928)
  • Larger job market (5,250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,976)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Burlington grew 23.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.4% growth in Charlotte over the same period.

Burlington, NC

+23.1%

$41,760 (2019) → $51,400 (2025)

Charlotte, NC

+28.4%

$46,000 (2019) → $59,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Burlington or Charlotte?

Charlotte has a higher median electrician salary at $60,332/year, compared to Burlington at $52,490/year — a difference of $7,842 (14.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Charlotte?

Burlington electricians earn $25.23/hr while Charlotte hygienists earn $29.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Charlotte as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Charlotte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $56,322, Charlotte = $61,976), job availability (230 vs 5,250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Burlington vs Charlotte?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $38,295 in Burlington and $44,698 in Charlotte. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SC

Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov