Electrician Hourly Pay in Bristol, RI: $29.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Bristol, RI runs $29.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,393 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,832 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Electricians in Bristol, Rhode Island, can expect a median hourly pay of $29.51 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median rate of $31.02, indicating the local market's unique context. For part-time electricians, typically working three days a week, their earnings can provide a respectable income without necessitating full-time commitment. Part-time roles often present opportunities in various settings, ranging from residential service calls to industrial construction sites. Entry-level positions may start around $20.40 per hour, while top-earning electricians can command as much as $45.75 per hour, reflecting the diverse skill sets and experiences in this field. The hourly rates mentioned here are derived from annual salary estimates, which help paint a clearer picture of what aspiring electricians might anticipate earning on an hourly basis.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.40 | $163.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.02 | $184.14 |
| Median (P50) | $29.51 | $236.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.17 | $297.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.75 | $366.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $29.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.51/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, RI can expect to earn approximately $61,386 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,415. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,180.51 | $5,116 | $61,386 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $708.30 | $3,069 | $36,832 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.20 | $2,046 | $24,555 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Bristol) | $29.51 |
| 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 Bristol, RI earn a median of $61,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $64,828.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.51/hr = $36,832/year (purchasing power: $36,649).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,386/year (purchasing power: $61,081).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Bristol grew 12.5% from $25.69/hr (2019) to $28.90/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.14/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
Looking at the earning potential for a part-time electrician working 24 hours a week, this role could realistically bring home around $36,014 annually, significantly lower than what full-time counterparts earn. Per-diem work is another avenue many electricians explore, particularly those engaged in out-of-town assignments in commercial or industrial settings. These travel electricians can see their per diem electrician pay in Bristol ranging from $80 to $150 daily, combined with a base rate that often falls between $35 and $60 per hour. For specialized positions—such as industrial PLC contractors—the pay can be even higher at $80 to $140 per hour, often as a 1099 contractor. Factors influencing hourly rates across different employer types include union affiliations, where IBEW members typically earn 30-50% more than non-union electricians, especially in sectors like renewable energy and data center work. Electricians in Bristol negotiating hourly wages should consider the trade-off between higher pay without benefits versus lower pay that includes health insurance and pension contributions, a crucial aspect for maintaining long-term financial health in this field.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electricians in Bristol in 2026?
How much do part-time electricians make in Bristol?
Are electricians in Bristol paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrician make per year in Bristol?
Do electricians earn more per hour working part-time in Bristol?
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 Bristol. 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 Bristol 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