Electrician Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $64,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $64,749/year (≈ $31.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $66,477 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With the accelerating growth of solar energy, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and data center demands, the electrician salary in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is projected to reflect these evolving market trends. In 2026, electricians in this region can expect a median annual salary of $64,749, slightly above the national figure of $64,530. Salary estimates range widely, from $43,894 at the low end to a robust $100,361 for top earners. Local salary projections are derived from 2025 BLS data, which takes into account regional price adjustments, indicating that Wilkes-Barre's electrician pay is competitive, especially given the rising need for skilled electricians in renewable energy sectors.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,894 | $21.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,288 | $24.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,749 | $31.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,879 | $39.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,361 | $48.25 |
Median Salary Position
0.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,467 (2026 est.). At $64,749, the local median is 0.34% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Electrician Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $64,749/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,802 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $64,530 | +0.34% more |
Electricians in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $64,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.34% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,802.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre 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.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $64,749 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,477 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,371
2025 BLS Actual
$63,405
2026 Current Est.
$64,749
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,371 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,094 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,244 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,445 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,012 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,405 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,122 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 12.5% from $56,371 (2019) to $63,405 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,122 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,751 (17.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $43,894 – $50,288 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,288 – $64,749 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,749 – $82,879 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,879 – $100,361 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
Eleven electricians are currently employed in Wilkes-Barre, which indicates a niche but growing labor market for this trade. The local cost of living index is 97.4, meaning that while salaries may not be extremely high, purchasing power remains favorable for those in the profession. Among local employers, union electrical contractors, particularly IBEW signatories, tend to offer the most competitive pay due to the benefits associated with union membership, including pensions and healthcare. The disparity in electrician pay between union and non-union positions highlights a significant gap, with unions often providing wages that are 30-50% higher. Additionally, specialty skills, such as industrial controls, hold premium pay potential, particularly as electrical work shifts toward modern needs in solar and data center installations. Electricians seeking to maximize their earnings would benefit from pursuing union credentials and focusing on specialized skills that align with the evolving demands of the market in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, 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 $63,405 for electriciansin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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