Journeyman Electrician Pay in District of Columbia
Updated 2026-10-29 · Based on 6 active job postings with disclosed pay · Compared to BLS OES data · 7 postings in the last 90 days, up 114% vs. run rate
ElectricianDB tracks 7 active journeyman electricians openings in District of Columbia, 6 with disclosed pay. Median hourly pay is $37.63, with the middle 50% earning $33.18–$38.41.
Compared to the national median of $38/hr, District of Columbia pays 0.97% below average.
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.
Government data (BLS)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports District of Columbia Electricians wages (May 2025 OES): median $37.97, 75th percentile $58.68, 90th percentile $60.48.
Source: BLS OES District of Columbia (May 2025 OES)
Our postings median ($37.63/hr) runs 1% below the BLS statewide median — posted openings skew toward lower-paying roles than the survey average.
Union data (IBEW)
IBEW 26 (Washington) journeyman base rate is $59.50/hr (2026 contract). Source: asksparkyai.com (compiled from IBEW Local 26 publications)
Pay comparison
| Metric | Our Data | BLS | IBEW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ($/hr) | $37.63 | $37.97 | $59.50 |
| 25th percentile ($/hr) | $33.18 | — | — |
| 75th percentile ($/hr) | $38.41 | $58.68 | — |
| 90th percentile ($/hr) | — | $60.48 | — |
| Sample size | 6 postings | OES survey | 1 local |
| Source | ElectricianDB | BLS OES | Listed above |
Why the columns differ: our percentiles come from 6 live postings (median + middle 50%). The BLS column shows the three percentiles our dataset carries (median, 75th, 90th) — BLS publishes more than we import. IBEW figures are journeyman base rates (median across 1 in-state locals), not survey percentiles. How we calculate pay →
Highest-paying journeyman electricians openings in District of Columbia
- Electrician — Smithsonian Institution (Washington) · $34.71–$42.63/hr
- Electrician — Smithsonian Institution (Washington) · $34.71–$42.63/hr
- Electrician (Open until filled) — John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington) · $34.71–$40.55/hr
- Electrician (Open until filled) — John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington) · $34.71–$40.55/hr
- Electrician — National Gallery of Art (Washington) · $29.23–$34.15/hr
Active projects driving demand
- Federal building and Capitol complex sustainment (commercial)
- Navy Yard/Wharf development pipeline (commercial)
- Hospital and university capital programs (commercial)
IBEW locals in District of Columbia
Sample postings
Pay above is sourced from active postings including:
- National Gallery of Art – Electrician – $29.23 – $34.15/hr (Washington, DC) View posting →
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – Electrician (Open until filled) – $34.71 – $40.55/hr (Washington, DC) View posting →
- Smithsonian Institution – Electrician – $34.71 – $42.63/hr (Washington, DC) View posting →
Journeyman Electrician openings in District of Columbia
Frequently asked questions
What does a journeyman electrician earn in District of Columbia?
Based on 6 active postings on ElectricianDB, median hourly pay is $37.63, with the middle 50% earning $33.18–$38.41. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a District of Columbia median of $37.97 for Electricians (May 2025 OES). IBEW journeyman base rates across 1 in-state local median $59.50/hr.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national median?
District of Columbia pays 0.97% below the national median of $38/hr for journeyman electricians.
Who pays journeyman electricians the most in District of Columbia?
Across 6 disclosed-pay postings from 3 employers, no single operator profile stands out yet.
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.
More on District of Columbia
Compare journeyman electricians pay in neighboring states
All District of Columbia pay data →
Already licensed in District of Columbia? Check District of Columbia reciprocity →