Electrician Hourly Pay in Des Moines, WA: $46.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Des Moines, WA runs $46.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,736 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,638 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Des Moines, Washington, electricians earn a median hourly rate of $46.99, significantly higher than the national median of $31.02. This lucrative hourly rate indicates strong potential for part-time or per-diem work within commercial and industrial construction sites, residential service calls, and specialized electrical tasks in data centers and manufacturing facilities. The hourly wage for entry-level electricians starts at around $32.38, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $72.83 per hour. Such variability accommodates electricians who work as independent contractors or for established firms and allows for flexible scheduling, especially when balancing weekdays with opportunities for overtime or project-based work.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.38 | $259.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.89 | $295.09 |
| Median (P50) | $46.99 | $375.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.15 | $481.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.83 | $582.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $46.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.99/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, WA can expect to earn approximately $97,730 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,382. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,879.42 | $8,144 | $97,730 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,127.65 | $4,886 | $58,638 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $751.77 | $3,258 | $39,092 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Des Moines) | $46.99 |
| 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 Des Moines, WA earn a median of $97,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 51.46% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $98,624.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.99/hr = $58,638/year (purchasing power: $54,598).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,730/year (purchasing power: $90,996).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Des Moines grew 12.5% from $40.91/hr (2019) to $46.01/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.98/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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines
Focusing on part-time opportunities, an electrician working three days a week, or 24 hours, could expect to take home a significant income over the year compared to a full-time electrician. Per-diem options in Des Moines present additional financial incentives: travel electricians engaged on commercial or industrial projects may receive between $80 and $150 per day in added expenses, in conjunction with their hourly base pay of $35 to $60. Special situations, such as storm-related utility work, can yield double-time rates plus daily per-diem amounts around $300 to $500. Pay rates can vary greatly based on employer type, with union electrical contractors tending to offer compensation that’s 30-50% higher due to benefits alongside hourly rates. Electricians may negotiate advantageous terms by leveraging their experience—especially those possessing specific skills in industrial controls or renewable energy sectors, where the demand continues to grow.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Des Moines. 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 Des Moines 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