Electrician Salary in Wilmington, DE: $77,472 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Wilmington, DE earns a median $77,472/year (≈ $37.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $76,177 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.1% above the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the electrician salary in Wilmington, DE is projected to reach a median of $77,472, significantly surpassing the national median of $64,530 by over 20%. Salary figures in the area range from $51,579 at the 10th percentile to a robust $120,082 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy distribution of earnings for electricians within the local job market. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost aspects, reflecting Wilmington's economic landscape. Notably, electricians specializing in industrial controls and programmable logic controllers (PLC) can command higher wages, as this increasingly vital skill set contributes to the premium available in Wilmington’s job market.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,579 | $24.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,498 | $28.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,472 | $37.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,165 | $47.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,082 | $57.73 |
Median Salary Position
20.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, DE, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,503 (2026 est.). At $77,472, the local median is 20.06% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Electrician Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $77,472/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $65,599 | +18.10% more |
| National Average | $64,530 | +20.06% more |
Electricians in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $77,472 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.06% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 18.10% above the Delaware state average of $65,599.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,472 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,177 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,448
2025 BLS Actual
$75,864
2026 Current Est.
$77,472
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,448 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,312 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,082 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,322 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,943 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,586 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,864 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,472 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,115 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 12.5% from $67,448 (2019) to $75,864 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,115 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,667 (17.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $51,579 – $59,498 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,498 – $77,472 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,472 – $99,165 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,165 – $120,082 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Wilmington
With only 10 electricians currently employed in the Wilmington area, market opportunities may be competitive yet stable. The cost of living index, sitting at 101.7, illustrates that while it is slightly above the national average, this also means that take-home pay can effectively cover expenses, allowing for a reasonable quality of life. Employers that typically offer the highest electrician pay in Wilmington DE include union electrical contractors affiliated with IBEW, who often provide packages with benefits and retirement plans, and industrial maintenance teams within manufacturing plants and refineries. The diversity in pay largely stems from the specialization of roles—those with advanced licenses or working in high-demand sectors like renewable energy can see significant financial rewards. For electricians looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications, gaining experience in specialized sectors, and considering union affiliation can be advantageous strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $75,864 for electriciansin the Wilmington metropolitan area. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilmington 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