Electrician Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $29.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $29.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,209 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,329 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, electricians earn a median hourly rate of $29.91, which is slightly below the national median of $31.02. This hourly pay is significant for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, especially in settings like residential service calls, commercial construction sites, or utility work. For example, an electrician working three days a week (around 24 hours) can expect to earn $718.16 each week, translating to over $37,000 annually if sustained over the year. The hourly range in the area spans from $20.19 for entry-level positions to $46.36 for experienced professionals, underscoring the potential for growth within this field. Such figures reflect estimates derived from annual salary data and highlight how the electrician hourly pay in Council Bluffs sits on a competitive scale.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.19 | $161.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.27 | $186.19 |
| Median (P50) | $29.91 | $239.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.28 | $306.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.36 | $370.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $29.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.91/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $62,215 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,893. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,196.44 | $5,185 | $62,215 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.86 | $3,111 | $37,329 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.58 | $2,074 | $24,886 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Council Bluffs) | $29.91 |
| Plumber (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Solar PV Installer (National Avg) | $24.85 |
Electricians in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $62,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.60% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $64,399.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.91/hr = $37,329/year (purchasing power: $41,293).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,215/year (purchasing power: $68,822).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Council Bluffs grew 12.5% from $26.04/hr (2019) to $29.29/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.55/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electricians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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.
Working as an Hourly Electrician in Council Bluffs
Per-diem work can shift the financial dynamics significantly for electricians in this area. On top of base pay ranging from $35 to $60 an hour, travel electricians often secure an additional $80 to $150 daily for per diem when working out of town, particularly on commercial or industrial projects. In urgent storm work situations, linemen can see their earnings double, accumulating daily per-diem that ranges from $300 to $500. It’s notable that union electricians working under IBEW contracts might receive higher hourly rates and added benefits, while non-union and self-employed electricians often negotiate their pay based on project demands. Understanding the distinct employer types in Council Bluffs—ranging from union contractors to state utility companies—can help electricians tailor their career choices to maximize income and benefit trade-offs. For those entering the workforce, familiarizing themselves with negotiation strategies specific to hourly pay can secure more competitive rates, benefiting them as they navigate their careers in this profession.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electricians in Council Bluffs. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Council Bluffs 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