Electrician Hourly Pay in South Portland, ME: $35.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in South Portland, ME runs $35.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,866 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against South Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,714 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For electricians in South Portland, ME, the projected hourly median pay for 2026 is $35.03, significantly above the national hourly median of $31.02. This favorable rate reflects the robust demand for electricians in a variety of settings, including commercial and industrial construction sites, residential service calls, and utility maintenance work. For those working part-time at roughly three days a week, earning opportunities can also be lucrative, with entry-level wages starting around $25.55 and seasoned professionals earning as much as $54.30 per hour. Such pay structures cater to a diverse workforce, from utility linemen to self-employed contractors, all of whom are capitalizing on the growing electrical demands in the region.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.55 | $204.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.76 | $222.05 |
| Median (P50) | $35.03 | $280.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.84 | $358.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.30 | $434.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Portland
Based on $35.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.03/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $72,856 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,033. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,401.09 | $6,071 | $72,856 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $840.65 | $3,643 | $43,714 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $560.43 | $2,429 | $29,143 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (South Portland) | $35.03 |
| 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 South Portland, ME earn a median of $72,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.92% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 13.40% above the Maine state average of $64,255.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.03/hr = $43,714/year (purchasing power: $43,889).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,856/year (purchasing power: $73,149).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in South Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in South Portland grew 12.5% from $30.49/hr (2019) to $34.30/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.77/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 South Portland 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 South Portland
When considering the realities of part-time work in South Portland's electrical trade, an electrician working a three-day week (about 24 hours) could earn around $42,013 annually, a viable income although less than full-time counterparts. For electricians on a per-diem basis, compensation often includes additional daily allowances ranging from $80 to $150, with specialized storm work yielding even higher pay, up to $500 daily. Hourly rates can also fluctuate based on employer type; union electricians may receive significantly higher compensation, reflecting their IBEW affiliation and benefits, compared to non-union workers focusing primarily on smaller residential projects. Factors such as health insurance versus higher base rates can influence decisions for electricians considering job offers. Understanding these dynamics can help electricians in South Portland negotiate better pay conditions.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
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
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 South Portland. 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 South Portland 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