Electrician Hourly Pay in Columbia, MO: $30.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Columbia, MO runs $30.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,804 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,686 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Columbia, Missouri, electricians earn a median hourly rate of $30.20, which falls slightly below the national median hourly figure of $31.02. For part-time electricians working three days a week, this wage translates to a considerable opportunity within various working environments, such as commercial construction sites, residential service calls, or utility operations. The hourly pay range for electricians in this area spans from $19.40 at entry-level positions to $43.67 for experienced professionals, highlighting the diverse earning potential depending on skills and years in service. This information comes from official BLS data, ensuring accuracy and reliability for those considering a career in the electrical field or seeking employment as a per diem electrician in Columbia.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.40 | $155.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.57 | $188.55 |
| Median (P50) | $30.20 | $241.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.52 | $300.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.67 | $349.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $30.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.20/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, MO can expect to earn approximately $62,810 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,236. With a cost-of-living index of 89.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,207.88 | $5,234 | $62,810 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $724.73 | $3,140 | $37,686 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $483.15 | $2,094 | $25,124 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Columbia) | $30.20 |
| 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 Columbia, MO earn a median of $62,804 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.67% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 9.10% below the Missouri state average of $69,091.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.20/hr = $37,686/year (purchasing power: $42,136).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,810/year (purchasing power: $70,227).
CoL index: 89.438 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Columbia grew 24.7% from $23.72/hr (2019) to $29.57/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.84/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
When evaluating the earning potential, part-time electricians opting for a 24-hour workweek can anticipate a significant annual income lower than their full-time counterparts, with less job security but greater flexibility. Traveling electricians, often engaged in per diem work on public or utility-related projects, might see an additional $80 to $150 per day, on top of an hourly base ranging from $35 to $60. In Columbia, hourly rates can vary greatly depending on the employer, with union contractors, especially those affiliated with IBEW, often providing rates that are 30-50% higher than non-union shops, including essential benefits. Furthermore, specialized contractors in industrial maintenance or solar installation can command $80 to $140 per hour due to the current boom in renewable energy projects. Negotiating hourly pay can involve considerations of health benefits versus higher pay rates without coverage, necessitating a clear understanding of market rates and personal needs to strategize effectively while seeking employment in this competitive field.
More salary data for Columbia, MO:
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 Columbia. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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