Electrician Salary in East Chicago, IN: $71,696 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in East Chicago, IN earns a median $71,696/year (≈ $34.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in East Chicago's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $78,528 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Electricians in East Chicago, Indiana, are positioned in a robust local market where the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $71,696, significantly exceeding the national median of $64,530 for the same year. With salaries ranging from $50,392 at the 10th percentile to $111,129 at the 90th percentile, local electricians have access to diverse earning opportunities. This salary data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflects the influence of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). In East Chicago, unionized electricians enjoy substantial pay benefits, typically earning 30%-50% more than their non-union counterparts, who generally dominate the local landscape. This union presence helps establish competitive compensation standards, as well as a comprehensive benefits package, which enhances the overall financial outlook for electricians in the area.
About the East Chicago Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,392 | $24.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,781 | $27.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,696 | $34.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,771 | $44.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,129 | $53.43 |
Median Salary Position
11.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Chicago
In East Chicago, IN, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,737 (2026 est.). At $71,696, the local median is 11.1% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Chicago Electrician Pay Compares
East Chicago median: $71,696/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $74,297 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $64,530 | +11.10% more |
Electricians in East Chicago, IN earn a median of $71,696 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.10% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 3.50% below the Indiana state average of $74,297.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Chicago has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Chicago, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $71,696 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,528 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,419
2025 BLS Actual
$70,208
2026 Current Est.
$71,696
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in East Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,419 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,219 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,708 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,177 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,208 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,696 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,216 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Chicago metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 12.5% from $62,419 (2019) to $70,208 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,216 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,797 (17.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Chicago 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) | $50,392 – $56,781 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,781 – $71,696 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,696 – $91,771 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,771 – $111,129 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in East Chicago
In East Chicago, the local job market consists of only five employed electricians, indicating a niche workforce within a broader regional economy. The cost of living index at 91.3 suggests that while salaries may be higher than in other regions, purchasing power is affected, allowing electricians to stretch their earnings further. Employers offering competitive pay include union electrical contractors focusing on commercial and industrial projects, as well as industrial maintenance teams servicing factories and data centers. Specialty areas like industrial controls and renewable energy, including solar PV and EV charging infrastructure, also present lucrative opportunities. The variance in pay levels is influenced by the type of work—union jobs often provide higher wages and benefits compared to the open-shop market. For electricians in East Chicago, pursuing specialization, gaining master licenses, and seeking out union positions can significantly enhance their pay potential within this evolving job market.
More salary data for East Chicago, IN:
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 $70,208 for electriciansin the East Chicago 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 East Chicago 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