Electrician Salary

Electrician Salary in Charlotte, NC: $60,332 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Charlotte, NC earns a median $60,332/year (โ‰ˆ $29.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Charlotte's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $61,976 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the North Carolina state average.

$60,332
Median Annual Salary
$29.01/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$44,698
Entry Level (P10)
$77,928
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data ยท View source

Electrician Salary in Charlotte, NC โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Charlotte, NC electrician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the electrician salary in Charlotte, North Carolina, is projected to be $60,332, reflecting the strengthening job market notably influenced by the growth of solar PV, EV charging infrastructure, and data center projects. With salaries ranging from $44,698 at the lower end to $77,928 for those with more experience or specific qualifications, the city offers a competitive pay scale when compared to the national median of $64,530. These insights are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the increasing demand for electricians amid expanding energy-efficient technologies and digital infrastructure in Charlotte, NC.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$44,698$21.49
Lower Range (P25)$49,916$24.00
Median (P50)(typical)$60,332$29.01
Upper Range (P75)$65,745$31.61
Top Earners (P90)$77,928$37.47

Median Salary Position

$44,698$77,928
City Median: $60,332
National: $64,530
P10โ€“P90 Range

6.51% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlotte

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for electricians in Charlotte. The median salary is $60,332, compared to the national median of $64,530.$40.2K$50.6K$61.0K$71.4K$81.8K$44.7K10th Pctl$49.9K25th Pctl$60.3KMedian$65.7K75th Pctl$77.9K90th PctlUS Median$64.5K

In Charlotte, NC, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,230 (2026 est.). At $60,332, the local median is 6.51% below the national median of $64,530.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of electrician pay in the Charlotte metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,160
per week
$5,029
per month
$60,346
per year

At 40 hours/week in Charlotte: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Charlotte Electrician Pay Compares

Charlotte median: $60,332/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryCharlotte Pays
North Carolina Average$56,071+7.60% more
National Average$64,530-6.51% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing electrician median salary in Charlotte ($60,332) with North Carolina average ($56,071) and the US national median ($64,530).Charlotte$60,332North Carolina Avg$56,071+7.60%US National$64,530-6.51%

Electricians in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $60,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 7.60% above the North Carolina state average of $56,071.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$60,332
Nominal Salary
97.348
CoL Index
$61,976
Adjusted Salary

Charlotte has a cost of living 2.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $60,332. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 97.348, the purchasing-power equivalent is $61,976, a gain of $1,644.$51.3K$57.0K$62.7K$68.5K$74.2K$60,332NominalSalary$61,976CoL Adjusted(CoL: 97.348)โ–ฒ 2.72%US Median $64.5K

Charlotte, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.348 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $60,332 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,976 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 2.72% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$46,000

2025 BLS Actual

$59,080

2026 Current Est.

$60,332

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+33.9%

Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Charlotte (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for electricians in Charlotte. Baseline $46,000 in 2025, projected to $61,612 by 2027.$42.9K$48.3K$53.8K$59.3K$64.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$46.0K$46.4K$48.2K$49.5K$52.3K$55.8K$59.1K$60.3K$61.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$46,000Actual
2020$46,350Actual
2021$48,200Actual
2022$49,520Actual
2023$52,320Actual
2024$55,790Actual
2025$59,080Actual
2026(current)$60,332Estimated
2027$61,612Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlotte metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 28.4% from $46,000 (2019) to $59,080 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,612 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $15,612 (33.94%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlotte metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$44,698 โ€“ $49,916
3-5 years (Mid Career)$49,916 โ€“ $60,332
5+ years (Experienced)$60,332 โ€“ $65,745
10+ years (Top Earner)$65,745 โ€“ $77,928

ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Electrician Job Market in Charlotte

With approximately 5,250 electricians employed in the Charlotte area, the local job market showcases its strength even against a cost-of-living index of 97.348, suggesting a favorable purchasing power for workers relative to the national average. The disparity in electrician pay in Charlotte, NC, often stems from the type of employer, with union jobs typically offering significant advantages in benefits and pay, sometimes as much as a 30-50% premium over non-union counterparts. Key players in the higher-paying segments include union electrical contractors focused on commercial and industrial sectors, as well as those engaged in the burgeoning renewable energy market, such as solar PV and EV installers. For electricians looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional licensing, focusing on high-demand specialties like industrial controls, and considering opportunities for overtime can be effective strategies in this dynamic environment. The ongoing shift towards renewable energy and data centers should further bolster job security and expansion in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Charlotte, NC in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median electrician salary in Charlotte is $60,332/year ($29.01/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.12% annual growth). Salaries range from $44,698 at entry level (10th percentile) to $77,928 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Charlotte at 6.5% below the national median. Full-time electricians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a electrician?

Charlotte electrician salaries are 6.5% below the national average and 7.6% above the North Carolina state average. The metro area employs approximately 5,250 electricians. With a cost-of-living index of 97.348, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can electricians make $100K in Charlotte?

The median electrician salary in Charlotte is $60,332, and the 90th percentile earns $77,928. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrician salary in Charlotte?

After adjusting for Charlotte's cost-of-living index of 97.348 (where 100 equals the national average), the $60,332 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $61,976 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 2.7% further in Charlotte compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for electricians seeking strong real wages.

How much does a electrician make per hour in Charlotte?

Electricians in Charlotte earn a median hourly rate of $29.01, which translates to approximately $60,332/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.49 for entry-level positions to $37.47 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem electricians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in North Carolina

SC

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 $59,080 for electriciansin the Charlotte 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (โ€“). 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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