Electrician Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $70,810 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $70,810/year (≈ $34.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $74,796 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Pittsburgh's electrician salary in 2026 is projected to be a competitive $70,810, reflecting a notable premium over the national average of $64,530. This favorable income is supported by a broad salary range that spans from $46,751 at the 10th percentile to as high as $109,105 for top earners in the field. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, indicates a healthy market for electricians in the region. Electricians with specialized skills, such as industrial controls and programmable logic controller (PLC) expertise, can expect to command higher wages, illustrating the local demand for these technical abilities. Overall, the job market in Pittsburgh shows promise for both apprentices and seasoned professionals seeking a lucrative career in the electrical trade.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,751 | $22.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,188 | $27.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,810 | $34.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,105 | $52.46 |
Median Salary Position
9.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,354 (2026 est.). At $70,810, the local median is 9.73% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pittsburgh Electrician Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $70,810/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,809 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $64,530 | +9.73% more |
Electricians in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $70,810 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.73% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 7.60% above the Pennsylvania state average of $65,809.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $70,810 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,796 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,640
2025 BLS Actual
$69,340
2026 Current Est.
$70,810
2019–2027 Growth
+6.9%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,810 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,311 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 2.5% from $67,640 (2019) to $69,340 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,311 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,671 (6.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $46,751 – $58,188 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,188 – $70,810 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,810 – $101,150 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,150 – $109,105 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Pittsburgh
With 5,210 electricians currently employed in Pittsburgh, the local job market demonstrates robust opportunities amid a favorable cost-of-living index of 94.671, which suggests that take-home purchasing power remains strong compared to many other U.S. cities. Employers who typically offer the highest pay include union electrical contractors affiliated with the IBEW, which often provide significantly higher wages and extensive benefits compared to non-union shops. The divergence in pay is largely influenced by specialties; electricians working in industrial settings or those with master and contractor licenses generally earn more. With opportunities growing in renewable energy sectors and data center installations, electricians can boost their earnings by pursuing certifications in solar PV or EV charging systems. Those aiming to maximize their electrician pay in Pittsburgh, PA, should consider joining a union for its pay and benefits potential while honing specialty skills that are increasingly in demand in the evolving job landscape.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, 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 $69,340 for electriciansin the Pittsburgh 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