Electrician Salary

Burlington vs Raleigh: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

Burlington, NC
$52,490
$25.23/hr
Raleigh, NC
$58,004
$27.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$52,490$58,004
Hourly Rate$25.23$27.89
Entry Level (P10)$38,295$46,669
25th Percentile$46,352$49,773
75th Percentile$61,292$63,131
Top Earner (P90)$73,884$75,324
Total Employed2303,740
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($52,490) and Raleigh ($58,004) electrician salaries.BurlingtonRaleighMedian Salary$52,490$58,004Entry Level (P10)$38,295$46,669Top Earner (P90)$73,884$75,324US Median $64,530

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Burlington and Raleigh is $5,514 (10.50%). Raleigh's median is -10.11% 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,Raleigh spans $28,655. 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
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$46,669
P25$49,773
Median$58,004
P75$63,131
P90 (Top)$75,324

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($59,093 effective) pays 4.92% more than Burlington ($56,322 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $52,490
CoL Index: 93.196
Adjusted: $56,322
Raleigh
Nominal: $58,004
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $59,093

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 Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,004/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,324)
  • Larger job market (3,740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,093)
  • 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 35.6% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Burlington, NC

+23.1%

$41,760 (2019) → $51,400 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+35.6%

$41,890 (2019) → $56,800 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Burlington or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median electrician salary at $58,004/year, compared to Burlington at $52,490/year — a difference of $5,514 (10.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Raleigh?

Burlington electricians earn $25.23/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $27.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Raleigh as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $56,322, Raleigh = $59,093), job availability (230 vs 3,740 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $38,295 in Burlington and $46,669 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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