District of Columbia Electrician Pay by Trade
Updated 2026-10-29 · 1 trade with 5+ disclosed-pay postings
The District of Columbia electrician labor market
The District of Columbia is a compact, premium-rate electrician market built on federal construction, institutional work, and prevailing-wage coverage that blankets nearly every significant job. Federal buildings, the Capitol complex, Smithsonian facilities, and military installations (Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington Navy Yard) sustain cleared and Davis-Bacon-covered electrical work found nowhere else at this density. Downtown commercial towers, Georgetown and GWU capital programs, hospital expansions (MedStar, Children's National), and the Wharf/Navy Yard development pipeline add steady private volume. Data centers proper are minimal inside District lines, but the market functions as the white-collar edge of Data Center Alley — many NoVA data center electricians live or stage from DC. Licensing runs through the DC Board of Industrial Trades (journeyman, master) with strict enforcement and limited reciprocity — a genuine credential that protects local rates. Union density is very high on federal and public work (Local 26 Washington DC/Northern Virginia is headquartered here and sets the market); Davis-Bacon and the DC prevailing-wage equivalent cover the overwhelming majority of hours. Workforce dynamics are defined by access: cleared status and a DC ticket are the two gates, apprentice pipelines run through Local 26's JATC, and housing costs push many hands to Maryland and Virginia commutes. For electricians, cleared federal and Capitol-complex tickets sit at the top of East Coast pay and stability; the trade-off is entirely jurisdictional — the credential, the clearance, and the commute.
| Trade | Median ($/hr) | Middle 50% ($/hr) | Postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | $37.63 | $33.18–$38.41 | 6 |
Medians come from active postings with disclosed pay; each trade page compares them against BLS OES and IBEW scales. How we calculate pay →
Frequently asked questions
What does an electrician make in District of Columbia?
Based on 6 disclosed-pay postings tracked by ElectricianDB, the median hourly pay for journeyman electrician work in District of Columbia is $37.63/hr. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a statewide electrician median of $37.97/hr.
Where are the highest-paying electrician jobs in District of Columbia?
The strongest recent postings cluster around Washington. Top-end rates on active postings run above the $37.63/hr median — see the highest-paying openings listed on this page for current examples.
Which employers pay electricians the most in District of Columbia?
Among employers with repeated postings in District of Columbia, a mix of regional contractors show the highest average disclosed minimums. Averages reflect posted ranges, not verified take-home pay.
Do you need a District of Columbia electrician license to work there?
Most states require a license for unsupervised electrical work, and requirements vary by state and municipality — see our step-by-step licensing pathway for District of Columbia for the exact hours, exam, and fees.
What's the prevailing wage for electricians in District of Columbia?
Prevailing-wage coverage depends on federal and state funding rules that differ by project and jurisdiction — see District of Columbia prevailing wage rates for the current determinations.
How many electrician jobs are posted in District of Columbia right now?
ElectricianDB is currently tracking 6 disclosed-pay journeyman electrician postings in District of Columbia. Counts change as contractors post and fill roles.