Electrician Salary

Liberal vs Manhattan: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Liberal, KS and Manhattan, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Liberal, KS
$54,708
$26.31/hr
Manhattan, KS
$62,467
$30.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLiberal, KSManhattan, KS
Median Salary$54,708$62,467
Hourly Rate$26.31$30.03
Entry Level (P10)$40,848$38,908
25th Percentile$45,036$47,833
75th Percentile$69,025$71,157
Top Earner (P90)$84,797$80,614
Total Employed4170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Liberal ($54,708) and Manhattan ($62,467) electrician salaries.LiberalManhattanMedian Salary$54,708$62,467Entry Level (P10)$40,848$38,908Top Earner (P90)$84,797$80,614US Median $64,530

Verdict

Manhattan, KS offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Liberal.

The salary gap between Liberal and Manhattan is $7,759 (14.18%). Manhattan's median is -3.20% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Liberal spans $43,949,Manhattan spans $41,706. Liberal has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Liberal
P10 (Entry)$40,848
P25$45,036
Median$54,708
P75$69,025
P90 (Top)$84,797
Manhattan
P10 (Entry)$38,908
P25$47,833
Median$62,467
P75$71,157
P90 (Top)$80,614

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Manhattan ($69,283 effective) pays 15.12% more than Liberal ($60,185 effective).

Liberal
Nominal: $54,708
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $60,185
Manhattan
Nominal: $62,467
CoL Index: 90.162
Adjusted: $69,283

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Liberal if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,797)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Manhattan if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,467/year)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,283)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Liberal grew 8.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.4% growth in Manhattan over the same period.

Liberal, KS

+8.9%

$49,172 (2024) → $53,572 (2025)

Manhattan, KS

+8.4%

$56,420 (2019) → $61,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Liberal or Manhattan?

Manhattan has a higher median electrician salary at $62,467/year, compared to Liberal at $54,708/year — a difference of $7,759 (14.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Liberal and Manhattan?

Liberal electricians earn $26.31/hr while Manhattan hygienists earn $30.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Liberal to Manhattan as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Liberal and Manhattan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Liberal = $60,185, Manhattan = $69,283), job availability (4 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Liberal vs Manhattan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $40,848 in Liberal and $38,908 in Manhattan. The Liberal 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