Virginia’s Employment Commission expects the number of jobs for electricians in the state to increase by more than 15% during the ten-year period ending in 2022. The construction industry in Virginia rebounded from the recession and should be one of the main drivers of Virginia’s economy during the period of 2016 through 2018 (Virginia Department of Planning and Budget).
In fact, Virginia ranked 9th in the country for retail real estate development in 2015 according to a new report (Commercial Real Estate Development Association Research Foundation). Residential construction in Virginia is on the upswing, too, with new residential permits up more than 47% for May 2016 as compared to the same month a year ago (Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond).
Skilled craft workers such as electricians are so in demand in Virginia that contractors expect a shortage of them. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 95% of Virginia’s contractors surveyed for 2015 expect to have difficulty finding and hiring skilled craft workers.
Construction projects that will provide opportunities for electricians are underway throughout Virginia. Frontier Secure announced plans to open a new customer care center in Wise County (Virginia Business). The Arlington Economic Development reported the approval of a number of construction projects in 2016:
- Redevelopment of the Ballston Common shopping mall:
- Upgrades to the mall
- A new 406-unit residential tower
- More than 11,800-square feet of new space
- Renovations to the office building above Macy’s
- A 6-story, 178-unit residential building across the street from the mall
- A 22-story LEED Gold apartment building with 330 units on Fairfax Drive
Salaries for Residential Electricians Throughout Virginia
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the range of salaries earned by electricians in Virginia’s major cities and rural areas. Highly skilled master electricians can expect to earn salaries at the highest end of these ranges (2015):
Salaries for Specialty Electricians in Virginia’s Major Cities
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides salaries for a number of different types of specialized electricians that work in the major cities in Virginia (2015). Those with the most education and experience tend to earn salaries at the upper end of the ranges shown here:
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers:
- Charlottesville: $66,750 – $77,540
- Lynchburg: $41,340 – $75,170
- Richmond: $61,300 – $79,450
- Roanoke: $56,120 – $77,280
- Staunton-Waynesboro: $48,280 – $77,710
- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News: $53,660 – $77,000
Electrical and Electronics Repairers Specializing in Commercial and Industrial Equipment:
- Lynchburg: $53,450 – $77,120
- Richmond: $56,560 – $74,270
- Roanoke: $45,130 – $57,960
- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News: $512,150 – $63,570
Electrical and Electronics Repairers Specializing in Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay:
- Richmond: $73,360 – $93,920
- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News: $65,220 – $96,550
Electrical and Electronics Repairers Specializing in Transportation Equipment:
- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News: $59,680 – $70,500
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers Specializing in Motor Vehicles:
- Charlottesville: $37,110 – $58,210
- Richmond: $31,380 – $38,930
- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News: $33,320 – $39,480
Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers:
- Roanoke: $34,590 – $38,500
- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News: $36,140 – $57,830
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers:
- Richmond: $43,240 – $57,150
- Roanoke: $37,890 – $49,530
- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News: $41,490 – $61,060
The statewide average for electricians in these specialized roles is shown in the table below:
Salaries for Electrician Apprentices Throughout Virginia
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides salary data for the occupational classification for “Electrician’s Helpers” in Virginia’s major cities and rural areas. Shown below is information that represents the wages earned during an electrical apprenticeship (2015):