Alaska’s electricians earned the highest average salary of those in any state in the country in 2015 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Electricians in several parts of Alaska earned exceptionally high salaries compared to electricians in other parts of the country:
- Fairbanks – 5th highest salary of any city in the country
- Anchorage – 9th highest salary of any city in the country
- Balance of Alaska rural area – highest average salary of any rural area in the country
- Southeast Alaska rural area – 5th highest average salary of any rural area in the country
The construction industry contributes significantly to Alaska’s economy for several reasons. It pays the 2nd highest wages in the state and is Alaska’s 3rd largest industry according to the joint 2016 report by the Associated General Contractors of Alaska and the Construction Industry Progress fund.
The report indicates that more than $4.5 billion of Alaska’s construction spending was due to the private sector. Alaska’s oil and gas industry accounted for most of this spending ($3.125 billion). A 27% increase in construction spending for national defense between 2014 and 2015 was a highlight of the $2.76 billion in spending for the public sector.
Predictions suggest that opportunities from Alaska’s construction industry will result in a 7.5% increase in job growth for electricians in the ten-year period ending in 2022 according to the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. In addition, workers who will retire during this period will generate a large number of job opportunities for electricians.
Salaries for Residential Electricians in Alaska’s Major Urban and Rural Areas
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the range of salaries earned by electricians in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Alaska’s rural areas. Highly skilled master electricians can expect to earn salaries at the highest end of these ranges (2015):
Salaries for Specialty Electricians Throughout Alaska
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides salaries for a number of different types of specialized electricians that work throughout Alaska (2015). Those with the most education and experience tend to earn salaries at the upper end of the ranges shown here:
Anchorage:
- Electrical power-line installers and repairers: $90,660 – $104,170
- Electrical and electronics repairers specializing in commercial and industrial equipment: $83,420 – $96,210
- Security and fire alarm systems installers: $65,560 – $98,490
Fairbanks:
- Electrical and electronics repairers specializing in commercial and industrial equipment: $80,200 – $84,650
Balance of Alaska Rural Area:
- Electrical power-line installers and repairers: $95,160 – $121,360
Southeast Alaska Rural Area:
- Electrical power-line installers and repairers: $79.820 – $102,720
The statewide average for electricians in these specialized roles is shown in the table below:
Salaries for Electrician Apprentices in Anchorage and Rural Alaska
Electrician apprentices in Alaska earned the highest average salary in the country, while Anchorage’s electrician apprentices earned the 7th highest salary of those in any city in the country as of 2015 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salary data for the BLS’ occupational classification for “Electrician’s Helpers” is shown here to represent the wages earned during an electrical apprenticeship: