Electrician Salary

Elizabeth vs Trenton: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Elizabeth, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elizabeth, NJ
$75,018
$36.07/hr
Trenton, NJ
$100,292
$48.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabeth, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$75,018$100,292
Hourly Rate$36.07$48.21
Entry Level (P10)$52,440$49,549
25th Percentile$59,905$64,182
75th Percentile$96,023$126,026
Top Earner (P90)$116,279$128,344
Total Employed25600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabeth ($75,018) and Trenton ($100,292) electrician salaries.ElizabethTrentonMedian Salary$75,018$100,292Entry Level (P10)$52,440$49,549Top Earner (P90)$116,279$128,344US Median $64,530

Verdict

Trenton, NJ offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Elizabeth.

The salary gap between Elizabeth and Trenton is $25,274 (33.69%). Trenton's median is +55.42% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabeth spans $63,839,Trenton spans $78,795. Trenton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Elizabeth
P10 (Entry)$52,440
P25$59,905
Median$75,018
P75$96,023
P90 (Top)$116,279
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$49,549
P25$64,182
Median$100,292
P75$126,026
P90 (Top)$128,344

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($97,201 effective) pays 49.26% more than Elizabeth ($65,120 effective).

Elizabeth
Nominal: $75,018
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $65,120
Trenton
Nominal: $100,292
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $97,201

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabeth if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,292/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,344)
  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,201)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Elizabeth grew -24.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.1% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Elizabeth, NJ

+-24.8%

$97,654 (2024) → $73,461 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+17.1%

$83,840 (2019) → $98,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Elizabeth or Trenton?

Trenton has a higher median electrician salary at $100,292/year, compared to Elizabeth at $75,018/year — a difference of $25,274 (33.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabeth and Trenton?

Elizabeth electricians earn $36.07/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $48.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabeth to Trenton as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabeth and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabeth = $65,120, Trenton = $97,201), job availability (25 vs 600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Elizabeth vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $52,440 in Elizabeth and $49,549 in Trenton. The Elizabeth area offers higher starting salaries.
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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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov