Industrial Electrician salary guide 2026
A industrial electrician in the U.S. earns a median base salary of about $65,500 in 2026. That estimate applies the 3.4% average 2026 pay increase reported by Mercer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 median of $63,190 for electricians. The middle half earn about $51,000 to $87,000.
$65,500
Estimated median base, 2026
$51,000–$87,000
Middle 50% of earners, 2026 est.
$112,000
Top 10% earn above, 2026 est.
What the role involves
Industrial electricians install and maintain power distribution, motors, drives, and controls in plants and facilities. Licensing, controls experience, and high-voltage work all move pay up.
Industrial Electrician pay by percentile
| Percentile | BLS, May 2025 | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,640 | $44,000 |
| 25th percentile | $49,430 | $51,000 |
| Median | $63,190 | $65,500 |
| 75th percentile | $83,940 | $87,000 |
| 90th percentile | $108,510 | $112,000 |
BLS occupation: Electricians (SOC 47-2111). BLS reports all electricians in one category covering construction, maintenance, and industrial work, so industrial specialists with controls skills often earn above the median.
What moves industrial electrician pay
Electricians with PLC, VFD, and controls experience are the profile manufacturers struggle most to find.
Licensing requirements vary by state, so the license a candidate holds can limit where they can work.
Bonus and incentives
Electricians are usually paid hourly, with overtime, shift differentials, and on-call pay adding to annual earnings.
Key skills
Frequently asked questions
How we calculated these figures
National figures are Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates for May 2025, released May 15, 2026, the most recent official data. 2026 estimates apply the 3.4% average total pay increase U.S. employers delivered in 2026, from Mercer's survey of 756 employers. BLS wages include base pay, commissions, and production bonuses, but exclude benefits, overtime premiums, and equity.
Hiring a industrial electrician?
At this role's typical pay of about $65,500, a Colossus placement is $12,500 per hire with a 4-month replacement guarantee. Need coverage sooner? We also place contract and contract-to-hire.
Talk through your industrial electrician searchPrefer to write it down? Send us the role details
Checking what you pay your current team?
Compensation benchmarking from $699 per roleExploring your next move?
Join the Colossus talent network