Electrician Salary

Smyrna vs Wilmington: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Smyrna, DE and Wilmington, DE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Smyrna, DE
$60,798
$29.23/hr
Wilmington, DE
$77,472
$37.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSmyrna, DEWilmington, DE
Median Salary$60,798$77,472
Hourly Rate$29.23$37.24
Entry Level (P10)$44,974$51,579
25th Percentile$49,550$59,498
75th Percentile$77,822$99,165
Top Earner (P90)$94,237$120,082
Total Employed510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Smyrna ($60,798) and Wilmington ($77,472) electrician salaries.SmyrnaWilmingtonMedian Salary$60,798$77,472Entry Level (P10)$44,974$51,579Top Earner (P90)$94,237$120,082US Median $64,530

Verdict

Wilmington, DE offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Smyrna.

The salary gap between Smyrna and Wilmington is $16,674 (27.43%). Wilmington's median is +20.06% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Smyrna spans $49,263,Wilmington spans $68,503. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Smyrna
P10 (Entry)$44,974
P25$49,550
Median$60,798
P75$77,822
P90 (Top)$94,237
Wilmington
P10 (Entry)$51,579
P25$59,498
Median$77,472
P75$99,165
P90 (Top)$120,082

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wilmington ($76,177 effective) pays 27.43% more than Smyrna ($59,782 effective).

Smyrna
Nominal: $60,798
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $59,782
Wilmington
Nominal: $77,472
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $76,177

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Smyrna if…

  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,472/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,082)
  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,177)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Smyrna grew -4.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.2% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Smyrna, DE

+-4.3%

$62,184 (2024) → $59,536 (2025)

Wilmington, DE

+12.2%

$67,586 (2024) → $75,864 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Smyrna or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a higher median electrician salary at $77,472/year, compared to Smyrna at $60,798/year — a difference of $16,674 (27.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Smyrna and Wilmington?

Smyrna electricians earn $29.23/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $37.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Smyrna to Wilmington as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Smyrna and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Smyrna = $59,782, Wilmington = $76,177), job availability (5 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Smyrna vs Wilmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $44,974 in Smyrna and $51,579 in Wilmington. The Wilmington 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