Entry-Level Electrician Salary in Raleigh, NC: $46,669 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electricians entering the Raleigh, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $46,669 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 47-2111, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Raleigh's local price level (BEA RPP 98.2 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $47,545 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($58,004) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates pursuing an electrician career in Raleigh, North Carolina, can expect starting salaries around $46,669—this is the lower end of the projected pay spectrum for entry-level positions. With the median annual salary for electricians in the city set at $58,004, there is a noticeable gap that new hires must navigate as they build their experience. Within the first few years, entry-level electricians can anticipate gradual salary increases, potentially reaching $49,773 at the 25th percentile before eventually attaining the city median. Overall, Raleigh presents a viable market for budding electricians, supported by an encouraging growth rate of 2.12%, indicating that new grad electrician pay in NC is likely to enhance as the demand for skilled electrical workers grows.
Career Earnings Timeline in Raleigh
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
Entry-level electricians in Raleigh, NC typically start between $46,669 and $49,773 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $28,655 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $58,004 — 10.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical program cost in North Carolina of $8,000 represents just 17.14% of the starting electrician pay ($46,669/year) in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh
- 1Research the Raleigh market: entry-level electrician pay ranges from $46,669 to $49,773, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Raleigh, 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 Raleigh for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Raleigh'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 Raleigh is $28,655 ( 61.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $46,669, experienced hygienists can earn up to $75,324.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,840
2025 BLS Actual
$45,700
2026 Current Est.
$46,669
2019–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,669 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,658 | Projected |
Entry-level electrician compensation (10th percentile) in Raleigh, NC grew 43.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,840 in 2019 to $45,700 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,658. New graduates entering the Raleigh job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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 Raleigh
Several companies around Raleigh are eager to employ entry-level electricians, particularly those who have completed apprenticeship programs through organizations like the IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee or the non-union Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Apprenticeship. These apprenticeships typically entail a structured 4-5 year training period that incorporates hands-on learning, which is crucial for career advancement. Credentials such as a journeyman electrician license, acquired through state examinations, can significantly boost starting pay. In the first few years, consider specializing in high-demand areas such as industrial controls or solar energy, where you can command greater wages. Generally, entry-level salaries rise progressively with experience, and those who diversify their skills or pursue union membership, where electricians earn 30-50% more, may find themselves earning competitively in the thriving Raleigh market, especially with the ongoing demand in sectors like data center electrical work and renewable energy installations.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
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 Raleigh. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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