Electrician Hourly Pay in Bethlehem, PA: $33.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Bethlehem, PA runs $33.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,564 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Bethlehem's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,738 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Electricians in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, earn a median hourly rate of $33.44 in 2026, which is 7.80% higher than the national hourly median of $31.02. This discrepancy highlights Bethlehem's competitive market for electricians, especially in settings such as commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and utility line work. Part-time electricians working three days a week can expect to earn a reliable income, while per-diem workers may find lucrative opportunities with pay ranging from $22.52 for entry-level positions to $51.84 for top earners. These hourly estimates, driven from annual salary projections and demand for skilled labor, illustrate the financial landscape for electricians in the city.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.52 | $180.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.98 | $207.83 |
| Median (P50) | $33.44 | $267.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.81 | $342.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.84 | $414.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethlehem
Based on $33.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.44/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethlehem, PA can expect to earn approximately $69,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,133. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bethlehem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethlehem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,337.77 | $5,797 | $69,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $802.66 | $3,478 | $41,738 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $535.11 | $2,319 | $27,826 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Bethlehem) | $33.44 |
| 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 Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $69,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.80% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 5.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $65,813.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.44/hr = $41,738/year (purchasing power: $42,853).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,564/year (purchasing power: $71,421).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Bethlehem grew 12.5% from $29.12/hr (2019) to $32.75/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.15/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 Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem
Analyzing part-time potential, an electrician working 24 hours a week would bring in approximately $41,729 annually, a significant comparison to full-time earnings. Meanwhile, per-diem positions can lead to far greater earning potential, especially for electricians engaged in out-of-town projects where a base pay of $35-$60 per hour is complemented by daily per diem rates of $80 to $150. Electricians in specialized fields like PLC controls or renewable energy may see even higher hourly rates. In Bethlehem, rates frequently vary based on employer type, with union contractors offering advantages such as pensions and health benefits that can offset lower hourly wages compared to independent contractors who might initially command higher pay. For those negotiating rates in this city, understanding these dynamics and leveraging skills specific to the region, including OSHA credentials and electrical licensing, can lead to better compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
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 Bethlehem. 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 Bethlehem 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