Electrician Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $29.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Charlotte, NC runs $29.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,332 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,207 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the electrician hourly pay in Charlotte, North Carolina, is projected to be $29.01. This rate is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.02, indicating that electricians in Charlotte earn about 6.51% less than their counterparts elsewhere in the country. For those working part-time, such as on a schedule of three days per week, this translates to about $29,000 annually if they work around 24 hours weekly. Per-diem electricians, who are often employed on jobs in commercial and industrial settings, can earn significantly more with daily per diem rates adding to their base pay, further elevating their overall compensation. Entry-level electricians in Charlotte may start at approximately $21.49, while the most experienced professionals can earn up to $37.47 per hour, showcasing the wide range of earning potential in the industry according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.49 | $171.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.00 | $191.99 |
| Median (P50) | $29.01 | $232.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.61 | $252.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.47 | $299.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $29.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.01/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $60,346 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,815. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,160.49 | $5,029 | $60,346 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $696.30 | $3,017 | $36,207 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.20 | $2,012 | $24,138 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Charlotte) | $29.01 |
| 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 Charlotte, NC earn a median of $60,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 7.60% above the North Carolina state average of $56,071.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.01/hr = $36,207/year (purchasing power: $37,194).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,346/year (purchasing power: $61,990).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Charlotte grew 28.4% from $22.12/hr (2019) to $28.41/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.63/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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte
Looking deeper into the electrician hourly rate in NC, numerous factors influence compensation levels across different employment sectors. For instance, union electricians affiliated with IBEW can earn 30-50% more than non-union counterparts, particularly when full benefits and pensions are considered. This disparity becomes more pronounced in specialized fields, such as industrial maintenance or solar installations, where rates can soar to between $80 and $140 per hour. Electricians engaged in out-of-town projects may also see lucrative per diem arrangements, earning between $80-$150 per day on top of their base hourly rates, especially during urgent storm work that can double base pay. As electricians evaluate their options, many weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly wages with fewer benefits or lower rates that provide health insurance and retirement plans. Negotiation for hourly workers in Charlotte often involves highlighting skill sets, credentials, and previous experiences to secure the best possible compensation package in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electricians in Charlotte in 2026?
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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
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 Charlotte. 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