Electrician Salary in Bethlehem, PA: $69,564 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Bethlehem, PA earns a median $69,564/year (≈ $33.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Bethlehem's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $71,421 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The electrician salary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is projected to reach a median annual wage of $69,564 in 2026, indicating a healthy increase in local compensation when compared to the national average of $64,530 for the same year. Salaries for electricians in the area span from $46,838 for the lowest earners to a high of $107,824 for those at the top end of the spectrum. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, reflect the significant growth trends shaped by the expansion of solar energy, electric vehicle charging installations, and data center development in Bethlehem. As the market evolves, the demand for skilled electricians is likely to increase, offering promising opportunities for those in the trade.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,838 | $22.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,032 | $25.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,564 | $33.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,043 | $42.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,824 | $51.84 |
Median Salary Position
7.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, PA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,986 (2026 est.). At $69,564, the local median is 7.8% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethlehem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethlehem Electrician Pay Compares
Bethlehem median: $69,564/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethlehem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,813 | +5.70% more |
| National Average | $64,530 | +7.80% more |
Electricians in Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $69,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.80% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 5.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $65,813.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethlehem has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethlehem, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $69,564 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,421 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,563
2025 BLS Actual
$68,120
2026 Current Est.
$69,564
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,563 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,339 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,724 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,395 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,118 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,564 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,039 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethlehem metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 12.5% from $60,563 (2019) to $68,120 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,039 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,476 (17.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethlehem 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) | $46,838 – $54,032 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,032 – $69,564 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,564 – $89,043 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,043 – $107,824 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Bethlehem
Looking closer at Bethlehem's job market, 14 electricians are currently employed locally, and the cost of living index is notably lower at 97.4, which favors take-home pay and purchasing power for workers. Among various sectors, union electrical contractors, particularly those signed with the IBEW, tend to offer the most competitive salaries, driven by benefits and stability. Non-union contractors, focusing on residential projects, usually provide lower pay. The disparity in earnings is largely influenced by specialization—industrial control systems and PLC expertise command higher wages, while the growing demand for workers skilled in renewable technologies like solar PV and EV charging aligns with higher payment scales. Electricians seeking to maximize earnings in this Bethlehem market should consider obtaining additional certifications, pursuing union representation, and specializing in emergent fields such as data center electrical work.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
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 $68,120 for electriciansin the Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem 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