The average electrician salary in Florida seems noticeably lower than comparable jobs in other states. That could lead many people to believe it’s far from the best place to make a living as an electrician. But, that doesn’t mean that’s the case.
In fact, the figures could be a little misleading, and more than a few factors could be at play. While you might earn less as an electrician in Florida than you would elsewhere, you could end up having a whole lot more spending power than in other states.
Let’s go through what you need to know about plying your trade in Florida.
The Average Electrician Salary in Florida
On average, an electrician’s salary in Florida ranges between $50,000 and $60,000 a year, which works out to between $22 and $26 an hour. This places Florida-based electricians slightly lower than the national average, but Florida’s lack of state income tax helps to balance this out.
Then there’s the fact Florida’s cost of living tends to be lower than elsewhere, so the argument could be made that you’ll have more buying power there. But, your salary depends on your experience level, which is worth getting into a little bit more.
Entry-Level
Apprenticeships are entry-level electrician roles, and it’s where you’ll start off if you don’t have any experience. You can expect to earn between $35,000 and $45,000 a year, equating to between $16 and $20 an hour.
Apprentices usually earn about half a journeyman’s wage, so your exact payrate could depend on where you’re doing your apprenticeship. But, you should see regular pay bumps as you get more experience and pass exam certifications.
Journeymen
Once you’ve gotten the relevant experience, licenses, and certifications, you’ll become a journeyman electrician. You’ll see a noticeable bump in pay because of that, with journeymen electricians in Florida earning between $52,000 and $65,000 a year. This works out to between $23 and $30 an hour.
But, your wages here can depend on exactly where in Florida you’re based. You could earn more in Miami than you would in other areas. You’ll also get to earn more certifications as time goes on, which should bump up your pay even more.
Master Electricians
Master electrician’s salaries in Florida are always the highest, as they’ve got plenty of experience and quite a few certifications. They’re much more in-demand because of that, and often work on large commercial projects and similar specialist areas.
They often earn between $70,000 and $90,000 per year because of that, though they can often earn more when they’re self-employed and working on larger commercial projects. As appealing as this is, it often takes years to get to this position.
Factors That Affect an Electrician’s Salary
Like with other industries, more than a few factors could play a role in how much you’ll earn as an electrician in Florida. How much experience you have, and your certifications, are some of the more obvious of these. The more of them you have, the more you’ll earn.
Then there’s exactly where in Florida you’re based. Electricians in Miami could end up earning noticeably more than those based in more rural areas. Whether you’ve joined a union and specialized in various areas can all play a role in this, too.
As you specialize, gain more experience, and create a positive reputation, you should earn more money in time.
How Does This Compare to the Average Salary in Florida?
It’s one thing knowing what the average electrician’s salary in Florida is, but it’s quite another to see how this measures up against the average salary in the state. Nobody wants to work in a role where they’re being paid noticeably less than people in similar roles in other industries.
Since the average salary in Florida is $46,860, most electricians in the state are at or slightly above the average wage. But, those who’ve been working in the industry for quite some time should end up earning noticeably higher than people in similar roles elsewhere.
It’s worth noting that the lack of a state income tax means you’ll take home more of your pay than you would elsewhere.
Wrapping it Up
While the average electrician salary in Florida seems relatively low, the cost of living, lack of a state income tax, and similar factors all mean you could have more take-home pay than you would’ve thought. Add in how much you can bump up your pay in time, and it could be a financially rewarding career path.
