Electrician Salary in Johnston, IA: $59,789 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Johnston, IA earns a median $59,789/year (≈ $28.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $66,138 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the electrician salary in Johnston, Iowa, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $59,789, which reflects a notable variance when compared to the national median of $64,530. This local estimate, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, shows that electrician pay in Johnston falls approximately 7.35% below the national average. Salary ranges for electricians in this area are substantial, extending from $44,414 at the 10th percentile to $92,673 at the 90th percentile. It's noteworthy that the market in Johnston is influenced heavily by the union presence, with the IBEW typically offering higher compensation and benefits compared to non-union contractors, leading to significant pay disparities among workers in this segment.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,414 | $21.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,863 | $23.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,789 | $28.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,530 | $36.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,673 | $44.55 |
Median Salary Position
7.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, IA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,259 (2026 est.). At $59,789, the local median is 7.35% below the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnston Electrician Pay Compares
Johnston median: $59,789/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $64,428 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $64,530 | -7.35% less |
Electricians in Johnston, IA earn a median of $59,789 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.35% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $64,428.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnston, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $59,789 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,138 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,053
2025 BLS Actual
$58,548
2026 Current Est.
$59,789
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,053 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,629 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,066 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,377 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,548 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,789 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,057 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 12.5% from $52,053 (2019) to $58,548 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,057 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,004 (17.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $44,414 – $48,863 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,863 – $59,789 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,789 – $76,530 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,530 – $92,673 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Johnston
Given the presence of only four electricians currently employed in Johnston, job availability may be limited but can offer competitive wages within the local context. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, electricians in Johnston may find their purchasing power influenced positively, as lower living expenses can enhance the effectiveness of their take-home pay. Significant employers, particularly union electrical contractors, tend to dominate the higher salary tier, while non-union and open-shop contractors serve the residential market with comparatively lower pay. The disparity in electrician pay in Johnston primarily arises from varying focuses—industrial work, specialty skills in areas like industrial controls and renewable energy, as well as the level of licensing held by electricians. Maximizing earnings might involve pursuing master licenses, honing skills in emerging specialty trades like solar PV installation, or seeking union membership for better overall compensation packages.
More salary data for Johnston, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $58,548 for electriciansin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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