Electrician Salary

Fort Wayne vs Richmond: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Richmond, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$72,801
$35.00/hr
Richmond, IN
$72,267
$34.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INRichmond, IN
Median Salary$72,801$72,267
Hourly Rate$35.00$34.74
Entry Level (P10)$43,626$47,646
25th Percentile$51,121$59,536
75th Percentile$94,451$92,502
Top Earner (P90)$97,167$112,014
Total Employed1,2607
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($72,801) and Richmond ($72,267) electrician salaries.Fort WayneRichmondMedian Salary$72,801$72,267Entry Level (P10)$43,626$47,646Top Earner (P90)$97,167$112,014US Median $64,530

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Richmond.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Richmond is $534 (0.74%). Fort Wayne's median is +12.82% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $53,541,Richmond spans $64,368. Richmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$43,626
P25$51,121
Median$72,801
P75$94,451
P90 (Top)$97,167
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$47,646
P25$59,536
Median$72,267
P75$92,502
P90 (Top)$112,014

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($79,153 effective) pays 0.65% more than Fort Wayne ($78,643 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $72,801
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $78,643
Richmond
Nominal: $72,267
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $79,153

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,801/year)
  • Larger job market (1,260 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,014)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,153)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Fort Wayne grew 26.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.7% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+26.9%

$56,160 (2019) → $71,290 (2025)

Richmond, IN

+20.7%

$58,640 (2024) → $70,767 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Fort Wayne or Richmond?

Fort Wayne has a higher median electrician salary at $72,801/year, compared to Richmond at $72,267/year — a difference of $534 (0.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Richmond?

Fort Wayne electricians earn $35.00/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $34.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Richmond as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $78,643, Richmond = $79,153), job availability (1,260 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Fort Wayne vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $43,626 in Fort Wayne and $47,646 in Richmond. The Richmond area offers higher starting salaries.
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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