Entry-Level Electrician Salary in Gillette, WY: $41,125 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electricians entering the Gillette, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,125 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 47-2111, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Gillette's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,928 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($58,567) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the electrical trade can expect an entry-level electrician salary in Gillette, WY, to start at approximately $41,125 annually. While this figure represents the lower end of the pay scale, it highlights the potential gap to the city's median salary of $58,567. For those just beginning their careers, the pathway to higher wages is promising. Over the first three to five years in the field, newly graduated electricians can anticipate growth in earnings, moving from the starting pay of $41,125 into the next tier at $46,354, and ultimately reaching the median. The current job market in Gillette appears to be supportive for entry-level electricians, with a nominal growth rate of 2.12% projected — making it a reasonable environment for new graduates to launch their careers.
About the Gillette Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Gillette
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 Gillette
Entry-level electricians in Gillette, WY typically start between $41,125 and $46,354 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $49,654 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $58,567 — 9.24% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical program cost in Wyoming of $11,000 represents just 26.75% of the starting electrician pay ($41,125/year) in Gillette. 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 Gillette
- 1Research the Gillette market: entry-level electrician pay ranges from $41,125 to $46,354, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Gillette, 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 Gillette for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Gillette'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 Gillette is $49,654 ( 120.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,125, experienced hygienists can earn up to $90,779.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,554
2025 BLS Actual
$40,271
2026 Current Est.
$41,125
2019–2027 Growth
+33.1%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Gillette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,554 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,932 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,963 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,333 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,639 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,271 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,125 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,997 | Projected |
Entry-level electrician compensation (10th percentile) in Gillette, WY grew 27.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,554 in 2019 to $40,271 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,997. New graduates entering the Gillette job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gillette 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 Gillette
In Gillette, a range of employers actively hire new graduates for electrician positions, including unionized training programs under the IBEW and NECA that elevate apprentices through structured 4-5 year apprenticeships. Non-union contractors also offer valuable on-the-job training opportunities through the ABC apprenticeship model. Beyond initial employment, various credentials can enhance starting pay in Wyoming. Completing a comprehensive 5,000 to 10,000-hour apprenticeship, followed by obtaining a journeyman electrician license through state examination, is often the first step. For those aiming even higher, obtaining a master electrician license — which requires additional experience and another exam — can lead to more lucrative positions. Careers in industrial controls and specific sectors like solar power and data center electrical work are seeing augmented demand, further affecting starting pay and trajectory. It’s realistic for entry-level electricians to expect salary growth throughout their first years with proactive strategies, particularly focusing on learning and obtaining certifications that set them apart in the Gillette job market.
More salary data for Gillette, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Gillette. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gillette is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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