Quick answer: The median electrician in North Carolina earns $27.31/hr — about $56,800 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $75,000+. To hire one, an electrical contractor typically bills $60–$80 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what electricians earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how North Carolina compares to other states.
Electrician income in North Carolina (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for North Carolina's ~21,640 electricians:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $19.29 | ~$3,344 | ~$40,123 |
| Median (typical) | $27.31 | ~$4,733 | $56,800 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $36.09 | ~$6,256 | ~$75,067 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a electrician takes home. What a electrical contractor bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median electrician wage (earned) | ~$27/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $60–$80/hr |
Where North Carolina ranks
North Carolina pays electricians 10% below the national median, ranking 49th of 51 states — among the lowest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Oregon | $48.71 |
| North Carolina (49th) | $27.31 |
| National median | $30.38 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.59 |
Electrician rates by North Carolina metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median electrician wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $28.47/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $28.41/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Greensboro-High Point | $28.07/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Raleigh-Cary | $27.31/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Winston-Salem | $26.97/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $26.45/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $25.73/hr | $55–$75/hr |
What common electrical jobs cost in North Carolina
At North Carolina billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical North Carolina range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $65–$135 |
| Install outlet or switch | $100–$275 |
| Ceiling fan installation | $125–$350 |
| Panel / breaker replacement | $900–$2,250 |
| Whole-home rewire | $2,500–$8,000 |
| EV charger installation | $350–$1,075 |
| Light fixture installation | $100–$275 + fixture |
| Troubleshoot wiring issue | $125–$400 |
| Add a dedicated circuit | $175–$625 |
| Standby generator hookup | $450–$1,350 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How electricians compare to other trades in North Carolina
Here's how electrician pay lines up against North Carolina's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC technician | $27.53/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Plumber | $27.44/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Electrician | $27.31/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Carpenter | $23.61/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Roofer | $23.56/hr | $50–$70/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free electrician estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do electricians need a license in North Carolina?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See North Carolina contractor & trade licensing to check whether electricians need a state license in North Carolina, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do electricians make in North Carolina?
The median electrician in North Carolina earns about $56,800 a year ($27.31/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level electricians earn around $40,000 and the most experienced earn $75,000 or more.
Can a electrician make $100,000 a year in North Carolina?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of electricians in North Carolina earn about $75,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own electrical contractor and billing $60–$80/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do electricians charge per hour in North Carolina?
In 2025, most North Carolina electricians bill $60–$80 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $27/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do electricians earn more in North Carolina than nationally?
North Carolina's median electrician wage is about 10% below the national median of $30.38/hr, ranking 49th of 51 states.
Which North Carolina city pays electricians the most?
Durham-Chapel Hill, at a $28.47/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for electricians.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.