All careers › Helpers--Electricians
Electrical apprentice (electrician helper): pay, job outlook and how to start
- $33,020lowest 10% earn less
- $36,83025th percentile
- $42,670median
- $48,47075th percentile
- $58,340top 10% earn more
The BLS category Helpers--Electricians is an entry-level job that typically needs a high school diploma and short on-the-job training[1]. The median pay was $42,670 a year[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +0.6%[5]
- Openings per year
- 6,100[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[1]
How much do electrical apprentices and helpers make?
The median wage for Helpers--Electricians was $42,670 a year, or $20.51 an hour[2]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[2]. The average was $44,080 a year, or $21.19 an hour[7].
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $33,020 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $58,340[3]. Hourly, those boundaries were $15.88 and $28.05[8]. The 25th percentile was $36,830 and the 75th was $48,470 a year[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
For comparison, the median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[4]. The median for this job was below that figure[2][4].
These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. About 63,630 people worked in this job under that count[11].
Pay by state and city
Washington had the highest median annual wage among the states with published data, at $61,110[12]. Missouri was next at $58,340, then Colorado at $56,420, Connecticut at $56,020 and California at $52,080[12].
Texas had the most jobs, at 7,320[13]. North Carolina (6,770), Florida (5,810), New York (4,120) and Tennessee (3,240) followed[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $76,100[14]. St. Louis, MO-IL was next at $64,560, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $61,260[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs, at 4,660, with a median of $47,800[15].
Show median pay in 46 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Washington[12] | $61,110 | 560 |
| Missouri | $58,340 | 380 |
| Colorado | $56,420 | n/a |
| Connecticut | $56,020 | 390 |
| California | $52,080 | 3,120 |
| Oregon | $49,800 | 570 |
| Massachusetts | $48,340 | 610 |
| District of Columbia | $48,300 | 330 |
| New Mexico | $48,030 | 510 |
| Hawaii | $47,890 | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $47,230 | 1,180 |
| New York | $47,210 | 4,120 |
| Minnesota | $46,750 | n/a |
| Maine | $46,550 | 1,000 |
| Oklahoma | $46,110 | 1,630 |
| Kansas | $44,990 | 600 |
| New Jersey | $44,550 | 1,670 |
| Virginia | $44,530 | 2,180 |
| Texas | $44,360 | 7,320 |
| Michigan | $44,240 | 500 |
| Nevada | $44,140 | 440 |
| Arizona | $44,110 | 1,240 |
| Nebraska | $44,050 | 140 |
| Maryland | $43,970 | 1,010 |
| Illinois | $43,290 | 30 |
| Utah | $43,250 | 520 |
| Kentucky | $42,790 | 690 |
| Ohio | $41,920 | 810 |
| Iowa | $41,610 | 310 |
| North Carolina | $39,880 | 6,770 |
| Tennessee | $39,710 | 3,240 |
| Arkansas | $39,510 | 300 |
| Idaho | $39,480 | 250 |
| South Carolina | $39,460 | 2,000 |
| Georgia | $39,030 | 3,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,880 | 1,000 |
| Florida | $38,670 | 5,810 |
| Louisiana | $38,570 | 3,190 |
| Vermont | $37,910 | 130 |
| Delaware | $36,560 | 60 |
| Alabama | $36,490 | 2,630 |
| Montana | $36,400 | 40 |
| Indiana | $36,200 | 1,180 |
| Mississippi | $35,680 | 930 |
| South Dakota | $35,620 | 300 |
| New Hampshire | $34,670 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $33,680 | 210 |
How to become an electrical apprentice or helper
- First: finish high school or get an equivalent. That is the usual education for entry[1]. Related work experience is not typically needed[1].
- Next: expect to learn on the job. Training for this occupation is typically short-term[1]. Workers may start by shadowing experienced people and doing tasks under their guidance[16].
- Then: check what employers want. Employers often require a safety certification that meets OSHA guidelines, either before or after hiring[17]. A valid driver's license may also be required[18].
- Later: some workers join apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with technical instruction[19]. One example in the Occupational Outlook Handbook is an electrician's helper who earns a high school equivalency to enter an electrician apprenticeship[20].
In an O*NET survey of 24 workers, 71% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 13% said a post-secondary certificate and 11% said less than high school[21]. Helpful high school classes include math and career and technical programs such as construction technology[22]. Electricians' helpers need to tell wire colors apart[23].
The training details here come from a Handbook profile that covers a wider group of occupations than this one[24].
What electrical apprentices and helpers do
Helpers assist electricians with duties that need less skill, such as handling materials and tools and cleaning the work area[25]. Tasks reported to O*NET include:
- Stripping insulation from wire ends and attaching the wires to terminals[26].
- Tracing short circuits with a test meter[26].
- Measuring, cutting and bending wire and conduit[26].
- Checking electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation[26].
- Drilling holes and pulling wiring through openings[26].
- Keeping tools, vehicles, equipment and supplies in order[26].
Workers report job titles such as electrician helper, electrician apprentice and electrical apprentice[27].
Where they work
Work is often outdoors, in all kinds of weather. Some work at great heights or in confined spaces, and travel to jobsites may be required[28]. The Handbook says injury and illness rates for construction laborers are among the highest of any occupation, and safety practices lower the risk[29].
Most work full time, and schedules can vary. Some work only in certain seasons, since cold weather can limit winter construction in northern areas[30]. Specialty trade contractors were the largest employers, at 32%[31]. Few helpers are self-employed[32]. BLS put the self-employed share at 1.7% in 2025[33].
This work environment text covers a wider group than just electrician helpers[24].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 0.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 65,000 to 65,400 jobs[5]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[34]. So this job is projected to grow more slowly than average.
About 6,100 openings are projected each year[6]. Openings include jobs that come from workers leaving, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.1% of workers leave the labor force and 6.1% move to a different occupation[35].
One factor behind the slow growth is that construction laborers are increasingly given helper tasks, because they can support many trades, including electricians[36].
Is it a good fit?
The entry bar is low. A high school diploma, no related experience and short on-the-job training are typical[1]. Pay is below the all-occupations median[2][4], and growth is slower than average[5][34]. Openings still come up each year[6]. The job can also lead on. BLS lists Electricians at a median of $63,190[37], and a helper might move into an apprenticeship[20]. The work is often outdoors, and the Handbook says construction laborers have among the highest injury and illness rates[28][29].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an electrician helper make an hour?
- The median was $20.51 an hour, and the average was $21.19[2][7].
- What education do you need to be an electrical apprentice?
- The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with short-term on-the-job training[1].
- Is electrician helper a growing field?
- Employment is projected to grow 0.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][34]. About 6,100 openings are projected each year[6].
- What is the highest paying state for electrician helpers?
- Washington, with a median of $61,110 a year[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Helpers--Electricians: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Helpers--Electricians in the US was $42,670 per year and $20.51 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Helpers--Electricians: 10th percentile $33,020, 25th percentile $36,830, 75th percentile $48,470, 90th percentile $58,340. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Helpers--Electricians is projected to grow 0.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 65,000 to 65,400 jobs (a change of +400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 6,100 openings for Helpers--Electricians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Helpers--Electricians was $44,080 per year and $21.19 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Helpers--Electricians: 10th percentile $15.88, 25th percentile $17.71, 75th percentile $23.30, 90th percentile $28.05. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 63,630 people were employed as Helpers--Electricians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Helpers--Electricians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Helpers--Electricians jobs: Texas 7,320; North Carolina 6,770; Florida 5,810; New York 4,120; Tennessee 3,240. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Helpers--Electricians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $76,100; St. Louis, MO-IL $64,560; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $61,260; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $52,690; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $51,030; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $49,960; Madison, WI $49,160; Albuquerque, NM $48,570. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Helpers--Electricians jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 4,660 (median $47,800); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,200 (median $44,490); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,810 (median $44,840); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,630 (median $40,220); Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 1,500 (median $42,670); Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN 1,330 (median $46,240). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 47-3013.00 survey of workers (24 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 71%, Post-Secondary Certificate 13%, Less than a High School Diploma 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Construction Laborers and Helpers" covers Helpers--Electricians together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Helpers--Electricians. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Helpers--Electricians. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 47-3013.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Apprentice, E and I Apprentice (Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice), E and I Apprentice (Electrician and Instrumentation Apprentice), Electrical Apprentice, Electrical Helper, Electrician Apprentice, Electrician Helper, Electrician's Helper. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of construction laborers and helpers in 2025: Specialty trade contractors 32%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 1.7% of Helpers--Electricians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Helpers--Electricians: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Helpers--Electricians: Occupational substitution - share decreases as construction laborers are increasingly assigned helpers tasks because they can support various trades, including electricians. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.