The U.S. economy has a shocking problem: Too few electricians.

[braalian]

It is here in NW Arkansass.

Does anybody make six figures in nw Arkansas?

 

[Moonglow]

Does anybody make six figures in nw Arkansas?

Yes, if yer last name is Walton. Not as an hourly worker at a company of tradesmen and women...The real dough is being self-employed, then yes, you can make six figures a year. I was making 65k in the 1990s.

 

[1srelluc]

Does anybody make six figures in nw Arkansas?

Does anybody need six-figures to live there comfortably?

Arkansas's 2025 cost of living is $2203 per month for singles and $4850 per month for families of four. Living costs in Arkansas are 11% lower than the U.S. national average.

You would really be shitting in tall cotton making six figures there....Goodspeed to those that do.

 

[Moonglow]

Does anybody need six-figures to live there comfortably?

Arkansas's 2025 cost of living is $2203 per month for singles and $4850 per month for families of four. Living costs in Arkansas are 11% lower than the U.S. national average.

You would really be shitting in tall cotton making six figures there....Goodspeed to those that do.

A major factor in NW Arkansas's lower cost of living, though prices vary. For example, the median home price in Fayetteville was $318,319 in one analysis, well below the national average

 

[JohnDB]

Right,
In many locations the skilled trades are not making national average wages....far below in some instances.

But the article mentioned the need for "road dogs". (Travelling skilled tradesman)

And I can tell you without a doubt that if an area pays below national average....no one will show up.to do the work regardless of advertising.

I've been out retired since covid quarantine. My phone STILL has text messages coming in for various jobs. There's plenty of work available. No one CAN or is available to do it. Pay seems to be rising SLOWLY.
I think I might be able to teach classes. But for that you need students. And the pay is still somewhat low for the expected production. (Which is also low)

Real electrician, by himself, should run roughly 250 feet of ¾" conduit per 8hr day connecting/installing boxes with supports as needed off of ladders. That's not working hard....just steady. However what I seen was most were puffing to run 80-90 feet per day. Mostly because they couldn't measure or knew how to bend it appropriately for efficient runs.

The biggest thing about electricians is....
You can't hire illegals to do it. You need English readers and writers to do it in EVERY industrial or commercial setting. It's a very unforgiving industry in that regard.

Mistakes make people die. Can't have any because someone can't read.

 

[80zephyr]

Right,
In many locations the skilled trades are not making national average wages....far below in some instances.

But the article mentioned the need for "road dogs". (Travelling skilled tradesman)

And I can tell you without a doubt that if an area pays below national average....no one will show up.to do the work regardless of advertising.

I've been out retired since covid quarantine. My phone STILL has text messages coming in for various jobs. There's plenty of work available. No one CAN or is available to do it. Pay seems to be rising SLOWLY.
I think I might be able to teach classes. But for that you need students. And the pay is still somewhat low for the expected production. (Which is also low)

Real electrician, by himself, should run roughly 250 feet of ¾" conduit per 8hr day connecting/installing boxes with supports as needed off of ladders. That's not working hard....just steady. However what I seen was most were puffing to run 80-90 feet per day. Mostly because they couldn't measure or knew how to bend it appropriately for efficient runs.

The biggest thing about electricians is....
You can't hire illegals to do it. You need English readers and writers to do it in EVERY industrial or commercial setting. It's a very unforgiving industry in that regard.

Mistakes make people die. Can't have any because someone can't read.

I feel your pain. Most carpenters can't cut a rafter or lay out stairs.

 

[HikerGuy83]

The Six-Figure Job Nobody Can Fill: Electricians in Demand as Data Centers Surge

The U.S. economy has a shocking problem: too few electricians. At least 10,000 openings need to be filled nationwide, with an annual shortfall of around 3,000 electricians, according to workforce […]

royalexaminer.com

At least 10,000 openings need to be filled nationwide, with an annual shortfall of around 3,000 electricians, according to workforce estimates. Many of these jobs offer six-figure salaries, full benefits, and long-term stability—yet positions remain vacant.

The shortage comes at a time when demand has never been higher. The global data center construction market is expected to top $200 billion, fueled by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure. The U.S. is one of the largest hubs for this growth, with Virginia, Texas, and New York leading the way. Every new facility requires a skilled army of electricians to keep servers cool and powered around the clock.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent annual growth in electrician jobs from 2022 to 2032—double the average for all occupations. That means nearly 73,500 openings each year across sectors, with data centers, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing all competing for the same pool of talent.


But not every electrician is ready to step into these roles. Data center construction requires specialized expertise in high-voltage systems, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDUs), and advanced cooling systems. Residential electricians often need additional training or certifications, such as NFPA 70E or employer-provided programs tailored to data center demands.

The payoff, however, is substantial. Salaries for data center electricians average $61,391–$93,341 per year ($29.51–$45 per hour), while top earners in high-demand regions or with advanced skills command $122,921–$156,466 annually. Because many of these projects are time-sensitive and labor-intensive, electricians often log long hours, inflating paychecks and sometimes allowing for extended periods of time off between jobs.

Adding to the challenge: projects often require traveling electricians who can relocate temporarily as facilities rise in different regions. While demanding, the work offers unique opportunities for those willing to be mobile and flexible.

The situation has left the industry scrambling to attract and train the next generation of talent. Trade schools and employers are expanding certification programs, but interest has lagged as young people increasingly choose other career paths.


The irony is clear: while many Americans chase degrees that may not guarantee employment, a field with high wages, full benefits, and a stable future is calling for thousands of skilled workers—and can’t find enough takers.

This is more of a PSA for the youngins' you might know so to steer them on a career path that amounts to something.

That and I never saw a electrician that wasn't a right-leaner.

We saw that coming 20 years ago.

I was part of a large project that had a labor study done at the front end.....guess what it said then?

You're gonna have a hard time finding the electricians you need for this kind of project.

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

The Six-Figure Job Nobody Can Fill: Electricians in Demand as Data Centers Surge

The U.S. economy has a shocking problem: too few electricians. At least 10,000 openings need to be filled nationwide, with an annual shortfall of around 3,000 electricians, according to workforce […]

royalexaminer.com

At least 10,000 openings need to be filled nationwide, with an annual shortfall of around 3,000 electricians, according to workforce estimates. Many of these jobs offer six-figure salaries, full benefits, and long-term stability—yet positions remain vacant.

The shortage comes at a time when demand has never been higher. The global data center construction market is expected to top $200 billion, fueled by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure. The U.S. is one of the largest hubs for this growth, with Virginia, Texas, and New York leading the way. Every new facility requires a skilled army of electricians to keep servers cool and powered around the clock.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent annual growth in electrician jobs from 2022 to 2032—double the average for all occupations. That means nearly 73,500 openings each year across sectors, with data centers, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing all competing for the same pool of talent.


But not every electrician is ready to step into these roles. Data center construction requires specialized expertise in high-voltage systems, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDUs), and advanced cooling systems. Residential electricians often need additional training or certifications, such as NFPA 70E or employer-provided programs tailored to data center demands.

The payoff, however, is substantial. Salaries for data center electricians average $61,391–$93,341 per year ($29.51–$45 per hour), while top earners in high-demand regions or with advanced skills command $122,921–$156,466 annually. Because many of these projects are time-sensitive and labor-intensive, electricians often log long hours, inflating paychecks and sometimes allowing for extended periods of time off between jobs.

Adding to the challenge: projects often require traveling electricians who can relocate temporarily as facilities rise in different regions. While demanding, the work offers unique opportunities for those willing to be mobile and flexible.

The situation has left the industry scrambling to attract and train the next generation of talent. Trade schools and employers are expanding certification programs, but interest has lagged as young people increasingly choose other career paths.


The irony is clear: while many Americans chase degrees that may not guarantee employment, a field with high wages, full benefits, and a stable future is calling for thousands of skilled workers—and can’t find enough takers.

This is more of a PSA for the youngins' you might know so to steer them on a career path that amounts to something.

That and I never saw a electrician that wasn't a right-leaner.

Unpaid Education Is the Main Cause of Shortages

 

[JohnDB]

We saw that coming 20 years ago.

I was part of a large project that had a labor study done at the front end.....guess what it said then?

You're gonna have a hard time finding the electricians you need for this kind of project.

Wages for commercial and industrial construction electricians needs to go up. They have been held artificially low for a long time.

A drywall or even plumbers do not have to study near as much or hold the same amount of knowledge as electricians do.
(Besides, plumbing always leaks)

Maintenance electricians are a different creature....they deal with a different sort of troubleshooting after things are installed.

But the higher wages will attract talent and is necessary. Because construction electricians can't work their trade like an office job. Sorry but their bodies break down from the chemical exposures and harsh weather environments they work in. Climbing a 200 foot tower just to change a light bulb on a radio tower sucks. Even if the first 100 feet was provided by a boom lift.
Their retirement packages need to be funded for retirement at 55 and not 72 or whatever. Crawling around on floors to make up system furniture boxes with power and data
OR
Kneeling in front of transformers or switchgear, bending 600 kcmill wire to make clean connections wears out knees, shoulders, and backs.
Nevermind the wire pulls....
Or by a group of guys carrying motors with transmissions across a roof because there is no crane to lift it into place and there isnt a dolly made that will haul it either.

I'm not crying about doing such things....just saying that there needs to be compensation for working these trades.

 

[HikerGuy83]

Wages for commercial and industrial construction electricians needs to go up. They have been held artificially low for a long time.

A drywall or even plumbers do not have to study near as much or hold the same amount of knowledge as electricians do.
(Besides, plumbing always leaks)

Maintenance electricians are a different creature....they deal with a different sort of troubleshooting after things are installed.

But the higher wages will attract talent and is necessary. Because construction electricians can't work their trade like an office job. Sorry but their bodies break down from the chemical exposures and harsh weather environments they work in. Climbing a 200 foot tower just to change a light bulb on a radio tower sucks. Even if the first 100 feet was provided by a boom lift.
Their retirement packages need to be funded for retirement at 55 and not 72 or whatever. Crawling around on floors to make up system furniture boxes with power and data
OR
Kneeling in front of transformers or switchgear, bending 600 kcmill wire to make clean connections wears out knees, shoulders, and backs.
Nevermind the wire pulls....
Or by a group of guys carrying motors with transmissions across a roof because there is no crane to lift it into place and there isnt a dolly made that will haul it either.

I'm not crying about doing such things....just saying that there needs to be compensation for working these trades.

Yes...well, no one can retire at 55 based on a pension or typical 401K these days.

However, I do agree that they should not have to work to 67 as an electrician.

We don't have any way of moving them to different jobs where they can stay productive. It's not planned for.

It should be.

 

[Zincwarrior]

The Six-Figure Job Nobody Can Fill: Electricians in Demand as Data Centers Surge

The U.S. economy has a shocking problem: too few electricians. At least 10,000 openings need to be filled nationwide, with an annual shortfall of around 3,000 electricians, according to workforce […]

royalexaminer.com

At least 10,000 openings need to be filled nationwide, with an annual shortfall of around 3,000 electricians, according to workforce estimates. Many of these jobs offer six-figure salaries, full benefits, and long-term stability—yet positions remain vacant.

The shortage comes at a time when demand has never been higher. The global data center construction market is expected to top $200 billion, fueled by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure. The U.S. is one of the largest hubs for this growth, with Virginia, Texas, and New York leading the way. Every new facility requires a skilled army of electricians to keep servers cool and powered around the clock.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent annual growth in electrician jobs from 2022 to 2032—double the average for all occupations. That means nearly 73,500 openings each year across sectors, with data centers, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing all competing for the same pool of talent.


But not every electrician is ready to step into these roles. Data center construction requires specialized expertise in high-voltage systems, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDUs), and advanced cooling systems. Residential electricians often need additional training or certifications, such as NFPA 70E or employer-provided programs tailored to data center demands.

The payoff, however, is substantial. Salaries for data center electricians average $61,391–$93,341 per year ($29.51–$45 per hour), while top earners in high-demand regions or with advanced skills command $122,921–$156,466 annually. Because many of these projects are time-sensitive and labor-intensive, electricians often log long hours, inflating paychecks and sometimes allowing for extended periods of time off between jobs.

Adding to the challenge: projects often require traveling electricians who can relocate temporarily as facilities rise in different regions. While demanding, the work offers unique opportunities for those willing to be mobile and flexible.

The situation has left the industry scrambling to attract and train the next generation of talent. Trade schools and employers are expanding certification programs, but interest has lagged as young people increasingly choose other career paths.


The irony is clear: while many Americans chase degrees that may not guarantee employment, a field with high wages, full benefits, and a stable future is calling for thousands of skilled workers—and can’t find enough takers.

This is more of a PSA for the youngins' you might know so to steer them on a career path that amounts to something.

That and I never saw a electrician that wasn't a right-leaner.

My mind read this as 'too few electrocutions.'

 

[JohnDB]

My mind read this as 'too few electrocutions.'

Well....
Electricians get shocked a lot....
The first thing to go after getting hit by juice too often is your memory...

I don't remember what goes after that....



But seriously, you have to live on half wages because the work is often erratic with unplanned vacations often. So savings are a must with this trade.
(Or bills go unpaid)
Then there's the "off book" jobs for realtors who have rental properties. Their revolving doors for tenants often results in the properties needing repairs....often electrical repairs and remodeling too.
They pay decent but not great.

The trouble with these off book jobs is that once you turn them on they are very difficult to turn off. People find a good electrician and they can't seem to find another so you end up working late into the night often.

 

[initforme]

My painter charges $100 prr hour including materials. Start paying electricians. Go after theirvemployers.

 

[JohnDB]

My painter charges $100 prr hour including materials. Start paying electricians. Go after theirvemployers.

Nobody likes paying for building infrastructure. It's not a finish like tile or paint...you don't want to see wiring....just that the building works.

But maintenance issues revolving around fires are always electrical systems. This can be dust in air handler motors or fire alarm systems.

Those nuisance trips of breakers or fuses that burn up too often are usually symptoms of larger issues. Intermittent issues are always the most troubling meaning there's some arcing and sparking somewhere.

Troubleshooting these things is a skillset all of their own. So is startup.

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

Those nuisance trips of breakers or fuses that burn up too often are usually symptoms of larger issues. Intermittent issues are always the most troubling meaning there's some arcing and sparking somewhere.

Troubleshooting these things is a skillset all of their own. So is startup.

Management Smug as a Bug in a Rug

That was in the anti-astrogeek movie, Dark Star. A Coke machine on the spaceship malfunctions and the response of the laid-back burnt-out hippie crew is, "Don't worry about it."

It turns out that the malfunction travels all the way through the ship and reaches the bomb, making it receive a false order to self-detonate.

 

[odanny]

I fried my power line from my house to my 3 stall, since it is detached I knew I was going to have to dig a new 30 ft. long trench and find an electrician to hook things up. I called about 10 shops and only 1 called me back. I asked a friend and he told me about a retired electrician who works for cash. The guy was good. I did much of the grunt work but he bought all the parts needed and spent less than a day working with me on it, I think the parts were around $400 to $500 and I paid him $1000, which I was happy with.

This guy probably makes more money, and is in higher demand, than when he worked for the largest contractor in the area for over 30 years. I had to wait over a month to get him in to restore power to the garage, but now I have a new sub panel and an EV outlet installed for fast charging if I ever bought one.

The new power line also does not need to sit in conduit, it's a flat wire vs. the old romex.