Electrician Salary

Raleigh vs Wilson: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

Raleigh, NC
$58,004
$27.89/hr
Wilson, NC
$53,774
$25.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCWilson, NC
Median Salary$58,004$53,774
Hourly Rate$27.89$25.86
Entry Level (P10)$46,669$38,789
25th Percentile$49,773$43,321
75th Percentile$63,131$68,831
Top Earner (P90)$75,324$83,350
Total Employed3,7407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($58,004) and Wilson ($53,774) electrician salaries.RaleighWilsonMedian Salary$58,004$53,774Entry Level (P10)$46,669$38,789Top Earner (P90)$75,324$83,350US Median $64,530

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wilson.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Wilson is $4,230 (7.87%). 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 Raleigh spans $28,655,Wilson spans $44,561. Wilson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$46,669
P25$49,773
Median$58,004
P75$63,131
P90 (Top)$75,324
Wilson
P10 (Entry)$38,789
P25$43,321
Median$53,774
P75$68,831
P90 (Top)$83,350

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($59,093 effective) pays 2.86% more than Wilson ($57,451 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $58,004
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $59,093
Wilson
Nominal: $53,774
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $57,451

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,004/year)
  • Larger job market (3,740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,093)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Wilson if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,350)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Raleigh grew 35.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.8% growth in Wilson over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+35.6%

$41,890 (2019) → $56,800 (2025)

Wilson, NC

+4.8%

$50,248 (2024) → $52,658 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Raleigh or Wilson?

Raleigh has a higher median electrician salary at $58,004/year, compared to Wilson at $53,774/year — a difference of $4,230 (7.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Wilson?

Raleigh electricians earn $27.89/hr while Wilson hygienists earn $25.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Wilson as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Wilson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $59,093, Wilson = $57,451), job availability (3,740 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $46,669 in Raleigh and $38,789 in Wilson. The Raleigh 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