Electrician Salary

Entry-Level Electrician Salary in Auburn, ME: $54,257 (2026)

Quick Answer:New electricians entering the Auburn, ME job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,257 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 47-2111, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Auburn's local price level (BEA RPP 99.60% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,475 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,070) within a few years of clinical practice.

$54,257
Starting Salary
$26.08/hr
Starting Hourly
$54,257
Entry Level
$80,070
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Electrician Entry Level Salary in Auburn, ME — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Auburn, ME electrician entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For new graduates entering the electrical field in Auburn, Maine, the starting electrician salary is projected to be around $54,257 in 2026. This entry-level pay reflects a gap when compared to the city median of $80,070, which suggests that new electricians may need a few years of experience to reach the median level. However, as new electricians gain experience, they can anticipate a gradual increase in their earning potential, moving toward the P25 level of $66,660 within their first few years. This growth trajectory indicates that Auburn remains a favorable market for recent graduates, with strong potential for career advancement in this burgeoning field.

About the Auburn Market

Salary estimated from Maine average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Auburn

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$54,257/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$66,660/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$80,070/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$101,755/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for electricians in Auburn. The median salary is $80,070, compared to the national median of $64,530.$48.8K$69.2K$89.6K$109.9K$130.3K$54.3K10th Pctl$66.7K25th Pctl$80.1KMedian$101.8K75th Pctl$124.1K90th PctlUS Median$64.5K

Entry-level electricians in Auburn, ME typically start between $54,257 and $66,660 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $69,851 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,07024.08% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of electrician pay in the Auburn metro area.

Return on Investment

$11,000
Avg ME Program Cost
$54,257
Starting Salary
20.27%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average electrical program cost in Maine of $11,000 represents just 20.27% of the starting electrician pay ($54,257/year) in Auburn. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates reflect registered apprenticeship training through NECA/IBEW JATCs or independent electrical contractors. Costs cover union dues, tools, books, and related technical instruction. Non-union trade school pathways cost more but are shorter.

ELEC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Auburn

  • 1Research the Auburn market: entry-level electrician pay ranges from $54,257 to $66,660, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical field — employers in ME often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Auburn, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Auburn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Auburn's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Electrician Compensation Range

The electrician wage spread in Auburn is $69,851 ( 128.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,257, experienced hygienists can earn up to $124,108.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$41,630

2025 BLS Actual

$53,131

2026 Current Est.

$54,257

2019–2027 Growth

+33.1%

Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Auburn (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for electricians in Auburn. Baseline $41,630 in 2025, projected to $55,408 by 2027.$34.4K$40.5K$46.6K$52.8K$58.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.6K$42.1K$46.1K$46.7K$47.9K$37.9K$53.1K$54.3K$55.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$41,630Actual
2020$42,128Actual
2021$46,128Actual
2022$46,652Actual
2023$47,935Actual
2024$37,890Actual
2025$53,131Actual
2026(current)$54,257Estimated
2027$55,408Projected

Entry-level electrician compensation (10th percentile) in Auburn, ME grew 27.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,630 in 2019 to $53,131 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,408. New graduates entering the Auburn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Your electrical Career in Auburn

For those just starting their careers, several employers in Auburn actively recruit entry-level electricians. Notable options include union apprenticeship programs through the IBEW and NECA, which provide a structured four- to five-year training period along with benefits. Non-union contractors also offer apprenticeship positions, allowing new graduates to obtain practical experience. To enhance starting pay, obtaining credentials such as the journeyman electrician license and additional certifications like OSHA safety cards or even specialized training in areas like PLC programming can be invaluable. In the first few years, electricians who work within IBEW union markets often see pay that is 30-50% higher than their non-union counterparts, thanks to comprehensive benefits packages. With the continuing demand for electrical work fueled by advances in solar PV and EV infrastructure, as well as the rapid growth in data center projects, new graduates have a promising career path ahead in Auburn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for electricians in Auburn in 2026?

Entry-level electricians in Auburn start at approximately $54,257/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.12% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $26.09/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do electrician salaries grow in Auburn?

Most electricians in Auburn progress from the entry-level salary of $54,257 to the area median of $80,070 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $124,108 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is electrical school worth it in Auburn?

With a starting salary of $54,257/year in Auburn and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new electricians recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new electricians make right out of school in Auburn?

New electrical graduates in Auburn typically start near the 10th percentile at $54,257/year, or approximately $26.09/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a electrician in Maine?

To become a licensed electrician in Maine, you typically need high school diploma or equivalent plus an apprenticeship program., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Maine, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some electricians pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Maine

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

Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical graduates. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Auburn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Auburn is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).

Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

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