Electrician Hourly Pay in Charleston, WV: $31.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Charleston, WV runs $31.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,204 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.7, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,725 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, West Virginia, the electrician hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $31.83 in 2026, which is slightly above the national hourly median of $31.02. This figure offers a substantial earning potential for part-time electricians working three days a week, especially in settings like commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and various utility projects. For these professionals, hourly rates can span from $21.78 for those just starting out to as high as $45.83 for those at the top of the pay scale, according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Electricians in Charleston can find opportunities in numerous environments, whether in self-employed contractor roles or on utility line trucks, contributing to a diverse working landscape within the electrical field.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.78 | $174.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.54 | $188.31 |
| Median (P50) | $31.83 | $254.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.99 | $319.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.83 | $366.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $31.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.83/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $66,208 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,197. With a cost-of-living index of 88.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,273.23 | $5,517 | $66,208 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $763.94 | $3,310 | $39,725 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $509.29 | $2,207 | $26,483 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Charleston) | $31.83 |
| 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 Charleston, WV earn a median of $66,204 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.59% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 1.90% above the West Virginia state average of $64,970.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.83/hr = $39,725/year (purchasing power: $44,777).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,208/year (purchasing power: $74,628).
CoL index: 88.717 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Charleston grew 23.4% from $25.26/hr (2019) to $31.17/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.51/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
Considering part-time work, electricians who commit to a 24-hour weekly schedule can anticipate annual earnings considerably below their full-time counterparts, but still viable for those balancing other responsibilities. Per-diem electricians, often engaged in out-of-town projects, typically earn between $80 and $150 in daily stipends in addition to their base hourly pay of $35 to $60. For storm work, utility linemen may command double-time pay along with per-diem rates ranging from $300 to $500 per day. Moreover, hourly rates can differ significantly based on employer type in Charleston, with union electrical contractors, like those represented by IBEW, often providing higher pay and benefits compared to non-union shops. Electricians specializing in industrial controls or solar installations can demand premium rates, while factors like health insurance can influence wages. Practical negotiation tactics, tailored to the local market, can empower electricians to secure better pay arrangements for their skills and experience.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
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 Charleston. 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