Electrician Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $64,315 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $64,315/year (≈ $30.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.1), that paycheck buys what $64,869 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Electricians in Charlottesville, VA, can expect a median annual salary of $64,315 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease of 0.33% compared to the national median of $64,530. This salary comes from a projected range that spans from $40,051 at the 10th percentile to $79,286 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial variations in pay based on experience, skill level, and type of employment. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the influence of union versus non-union positions, where union electricians, particularly those affiliated with the IBEW, often secure higher wages and comprehensive benefits. In the competitive job market of Charlottesville, understanding these dynamics can be critical for electricians seeking to maximize their earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,051 | $19.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,745 | $25.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,315 | $30.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,017 | $35.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,286 | $38.12 |
Median Salary Position
0.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,235 (2026 est.). At $64,315, the local median is 0.33% below the national median of $64,530.
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How Charlottesville Electrician Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $64,315/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $63,178 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $64,530 | -0.33% less |
Electricians in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $64,315 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.33% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 1.80% above the Virginia state average of $63,178.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 0.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 99.146 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $64,315 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,869 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,860
2025 BLS Actual
$62,980
2026 Current Est.
$64,315
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,315 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,679 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 26.3% from $49,860 (2019) to $62,980 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,679 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,819 (31.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,051 – $52,745 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,745 – $64,315 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,315 – $74,017 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,017 – $79,286 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Charlottesville
Looking at the local employment picture, there are approximately 460 electricians working in Charlottesville, contributing to a robust demand for skilled tradespeople. The cost-of-living index stands at 99.146, offering a favorable environment for take-home purchasing power relative to the national average. Among employers in the area, union electrical contractors typically offer the highest compensation, especially in commercial and industrial sectors. The salary spread reflects factors such as specialization in either residential, commercial, or industrial work, with unique opportunities in emerging areas like renewable energy and data centers. To enhance earnings, electricians are encouraged to pursue additional licensing, particularly master and contractor licenses, and seek positions that offer overtime opportunities or specialize in high-demand installations like EV charging systems or solar energy. Such strategies can significantly affect how much electricians can make in Charlottesville and position them for long-term career growth.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,980 for electriciansin the Charlottesville metropolitan area. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov