Electrician Salary in Durham, NC: $60,475 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Durham, NC earns a median $60,475/year (≈ $29.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $61,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electricians in Durham, North Carolina, are forecasted to earn a median annual salary of $60,475, slightly below the national median of $64,530. The salary range for electricians in this market spans from $47,139 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $77,407 at the high end (P90), highlighting notable variability based on experience, specialization, and employment type. According to projections derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, the market's dynamics reveal a significant pay disparity between union and non-union electricians, with unionized positions often commanding 30-50% more in wages and benefits. As demand for electricians in Durham continues to rise, driven by advancements in sectors like renewable energy and data center work, skilled professionals will find ample opportunities to elevate their compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,139 | $22.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,876 | $24.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,475 | $29.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,367 | $31.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,407 | $37.21 |
Median Salary Position
6.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,268 (2026 est.). At $60,475, the local median is 6.28% below the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durham Electrician Pay Compares
Durham median: $60,475/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,100 | +7.80% more |
| National Average | $64,530 | -6.28% less |
Electricians in Durham, NC earn a median of $60,475 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.28% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 7.80% above the North Carolina state average of $56,100.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $60,475 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,980 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,390
2025 BLS Actual
$59,220
2026 Current Est.
$60,475
2019–2027 Growth
+25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,475 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,758 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 19.9% from $49,390 (2019) to $59,220 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,758 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,368 (25.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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) | $47,139 – $50,876 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,876 – $60,475 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,475 – $65,367 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,367 – $77,407 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Durham
The Durham job market for electricians is robust, with approximately 1,160 workers currently employed in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 97.572, electricians in Durham enjoy a slightly lower cost environment compared to the national average, which helps to enhance their purchasing power. Among local employers, IBEW union electrical contractors typically offer the highest pay, especially for commercial and industrial projects. Non-union contractors focus more on residential work, generally resulting in lower compensation. Additionally, positions in specialized areas such as industrial controls and renewable energy installations are gaining traction, attracting electricians with relevant credentials. To maximize earnings potential in Durham, electricians should consider gaining certifications in high-demand specialties, seeking out union opportunities, and acquiring advanced licenses to allow for greater contractor and ownership options.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
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 $59,220 for electriciansin the Durham 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
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