Are you an electrician looking to relocate to a new state? Before you make any decisions, take a look into our list of the 25 best states for electricians.
While you’re at it, also feel free to check out our article on the best states for electrical engineers.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2015, the average annual wage for electricians was $51,880. This occupation is expected to grow significantly in the next few years, by up to 14% from 2014 to 2024. Becoming an electrician is not an easy task. It requires a lot of technical knowledge, experience, and common sense. Most electricians begin their education at a technical training program, and many complete intense apprenticeships. Generally, electricians are required to obtain a license to work commercially. Working as an electrician includes connecting fixtures to internal and external electrical sources, installations, maintenance, and repairs. Work is generally full time, and may include nights and weekends. Electricians may work indoors or outdoors, and in every type of facility imaginable. The work can be dangerous, and serious injuries may occur. This is why it is necessary to undergo proper training.
Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock.com
There are several factors to consider when researching the perfect place to call home as it relates to your career: employment rates, cost of living, and annual median pay. When asking which state would be the best to live in as an electrical engineer, all three of these factors must be carefully considered in relation to each other.
In order to compare states and come up with our list of best states for electricians, we sourced information about employment rates and annual median income from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the data on each state’s cost of living index was derived from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Each state was ranked according to each of the three criterion, and these rankings were then averaged.
Continue reading to learn more details about the best best states for electricians.
25. Idaho
Cost of living index: 89.6
Average annual wage: $46,740
Average hourly wage: $22.47
Number of employees: 3,390
KRITSANA NOISAKUL/Shutterstock.com
24. Tennessee
Cost of living index: 89.8
Average annual wage: $46,940
Average hourly wage: $22.56
Number of employees: 10,000
Zai Di/Shutterstock.com
23. Mississippi
Cost of living index: 86
Average annual wage: $45,710
Average hourly wage: $21.97
Number of employees: 6,310
Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com
22. Utah
Cost of living index: 92.8
Average annual wage: $49,700
Average hourly wage: $23.89
Number of employees: 6,980
Goran Bogicevic/Shutterstock.com
21. New York
Cost of living index: 135.2
Average annual wage: $72,540
Average hourly wage: $34.87
Number of employees: 40,100
ronstik/Shutterstock.com
20. Ohio
Cost of living index: 93
Average annual wage: $51,190
Average hourly wage: $24.61
Number of employees: 21,390
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com
19. Kentucky
Cost of living index: 90.8
Average annual wage: $50,080
Average hourly wage: $24.07
Number of employees: 7,850
allstars/Shutterstock.com
18. West Virginia
Cost of living index: 95.7
Average annual wage: $53,190
Average hourly wage: $25.57
Number of employees: 4,370
Copyright: kadmy / 123RF Stock Photo
17. Pennsylvania
Cost of living index: 102.8
Average annual wage: $58,060
Average hourly wage: $27.91
Number of employees: 23,240
Copyright: highwaystarz / 123RF Stock Photo
16. New Jersey
Cost of living index: 121
Average annual wage: $68,930
Average hourly wage: $33.13
Number of employees: 13,440
Copyright: Kurhan / 123RF Stock Photo
15. Iowa
Cost of living index: 91.7
Average annual wage: $52,640
Average hourly wage: $25.30
Number of employees: 7,770
Copyright: kadmy / 123RF Stock Photo
14. Nevada
Cost of living index: 104.5
Average annual wage: $60,200
Average hourly wage: $28.94
Number of employees: 5,830
13. Minnesota
Cost of living index: 101.1
Average annual wage: $58,810
Average hourly wage: $28.27
Number of employees: 11,240
12. Oregon
Cost of living index: 115.4
Average annual wage: $67,460
Average hourly wage: $32.43
Number of employees: 7,150
We’re halfway through our list of best states for electricians, and now, let’s see the other half.
11. Kansas
Cost of living index: 90.4
Average annual wage: $52,870
Average hourly wage: $25.41
Number of employees: 5,190
10. Wisconsin
Cost of living index: 96.9
Average annual wage: $56,850
Average hourly wage: $27.33
Number of employees: 10,570
9. North Dakota
Cost of living index: 98.9
Average annual wage: $59,410
Average hourly wage: $28.56
Number of employees: 4,590
8. Montana
Cost of living index: 100.8
Average annual wage: $60,690
Average hourly wage: $29.17
Number of employees: 2,170
7. Alaska
Cost of living index: 131.6
Average annual wage: $79,420
Average hourly wage: $38.18
Number of employees: 2,170
Phovoir/Shutterstock.com
6. Washington
Cost of living index: 107.1
Average annual wage: $64,860
Average hourly wage: $31.18
Number of employees: 14,390
5. Wyoming
Cost of living index: 91.7
Average annual wage: $58,230
Average hourly wage: $27.99
Number of employees: 2,610
Soonthorn Wongsaita/Shutterstock.com
4. Missouri
Cost of living index: 90.8
Average annual wage: $57,760
Average hourly wage: $27.76
Number of employees: 9,490
3. Indiana
Cost of living index: 87.9
Average annual wage: $59,130
Average hourly wage: $28.42
Number of employees: 15,780
franco lucato/Shutterstock.com
2. Michigan
Cost of living index: 88.2
Average annual wage: $59,490
Average hourly wage: $28.60
Number of employees: 18,710
Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock.com
1. Illinois
Cost of living index: 95.5
Average annual wage: $69,830
Average hourly wage: $33.57
Number of employees: 22,220
rodimov/Shutterstock.com
If you’re an electrician in need of a new home state, we hope the information we have compiled about the best states for electricians will help you to make a more educated decision about which state is the right fit for you. Which state should you call home?
