Salary data is based on the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area and applied to Durham using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Electricians Salaries in Durham, NC

Average Base Pay

$68,020/yr

Monthly

$5,668

Hourly

$33

Cost Index

Electricians in Durham, NC earn an average of $68,020 per year, with most salaries falling between $54,416 and $81,624 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. Durham salaries align closely with the national average for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 94. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Durham.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$51K
Low

$68K
Median

$85K
High

25th percentile: $58K75th percentile: $78K

About Electricians

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They read and interpret blueprints and wiring diagrams, plan electrical circuits, route and connect wiring, install panels, outlets, switches, and fixtures, and ensure that all work meets the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local regulations. Commercial and industrial electricians work on larger, more complex systems—three-phase power distribution, motor controls, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and high-voltage equipment. Residential electricians handle service upgrades, circuit additions, troubleshooting wiring faults, and upgrading panels for electric vehicle chargers or solar installations. Electricians use a range of hand and power tools, test equipment such as multimeters and clamp meters, and conduit-bending equipment. Safety is paramount given the inherent hazards of working with energized systems. Apprenticeship programs, typically lasting four to five years and combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction, are the standard pathway to journeyman status. Journeyman and master electrician licenses are issued by state or local licensing boards.

What Electricians Do

Install electrical wiring, conduit, panels, and equipment per blueprints and NEC standards
Troubleshoot electrical faults using test equipment and logical diagnostic methods
Inspect and test electrical systems for safety and code compliance
Replace and upgrade electrical components and panels
Install low-voltage systems including lighting controls and fire alarm wiring
Work safely with energized and de-energized systems following lockout/tagout procedures
Coordinate with general contractors and other trades on construction projects
Maintain accurate material and labor records for job costing

Key Skills & Qualifications

National Electrical Code (NEC) knowledge and interpretation
Blueprint and wiring diagram reading
Conduit bending and wiring installation techniques
Electrical testing with multimeters, megohmmeters, and clamp meters
Motor controls and three-phase power systems
Lockout/tagout and electrical safety procedures
Journeyman or Master Electrician license
Physical dexterity and ability to work in confined spaces and at heights

Career Path

Electrician Apprentice
Journeyman Electrician
Master Electrician
Electrical Foreman / Superintendent
Electrical Contractor (business owner)

Electricians Market in Durham, NC

Salary Competitiveness

Durham salaries for Electricians track closely with the national median, diverging by less than 4%. This alignment suggests a competitive but balanced local market—employers are broadly in step with national pay scales, which can make benchmark comparisons more reliable when negotiating.

Cost of Living Impact

Durham sits close to the national cost average. Monthly essential expenses represent about 61% of take-home pay for this role—a midrange ratio that allows for modest savings and discretionary spending, provided housing costs remain stable.

Effective Purchasing Power

The purchasing power of $68,020 for a Electricians in Durham is moderate: enough to meet essential expenses and build incremental savings, but requiring deliberate budgeting to avoid margin erosion—especially as rent and healthcare costs have outpaced wage growth across many mid-tier markets.

vs. National Avg

≈ Average

Cost Pressure

61%

Purchasing Power

Moderate

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$49,655

Monthly

$4,138

Weekly

$955

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $68,020 for a Electricians in Durham translates to roughly $4,138 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $2,520—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $1,618 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Durham's current market.

How far does this salary go in Durham?

Cost of Living in Durham

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Durham, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,450/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$480/mo

🚗Transportation$130/mo

💡Utilities$160/mo

🏥Healthcare$300/mo

Monthly$2,520

Annual$30,240

Disposable Income$1,618

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Durham to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$4,138

Living Costs

$2,520

Disposable

$1,618

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Moderate

With a monthly take-home of $4,138, your estimated living costs in Durham are $2,520 ($30,240/yr). This leaves $1,618 per month in disposable income, indicating a moderate standard of living. Durham's cost of living is 6% below the national average.

Overall, a Electricians earning $68,020 in Durham falls into a moderate lifestyle tier and can cover essentials and hit modest savings goals, though discretionary spending warrants careful planning. With a cost index of 94, Durham is 6% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Durham continue to evolve.