Electrician Prevailing Wage Rates in California (2026)
Electricians on prevailing wage projects in California are paid $14.93 to $92.39 per hour, with a median total of $41.40 across the 50 determination records listed below. That total is base rate plus fringe benefits; the median base rate is $31.70, and among the 50 records listing a fringe separately the median fringe is $9.70. Rates differ by county, construction type and funding source, so use the row that matches your project.
Lowest listed$14.93per hour, total
Median listed$41.40 median base $31.70 · median fringe $9.70
Highest listed$92.39per hour, total
Records shown50 across 24 counties
Figures above are computed over the 50 hourly records in the table below, which is the first page of a larger set. They are not a statewide average of all electricians in California. Most recent determination in this set: May 20, 2026.
How much do electricians earn on prevailing wage jobs in California?
Every row below is one wage determination line: a electrician classification, in one county, for one construction type, under one funding source. The rate that applies to your project is the row whose county, construction type and funding source all match it — a Highway rate does not apply to a Building project in the same county, and a state determination does not substitute for a federal one.
| Classification | County | Construction type | Funding | Base | Fringe | Total |
|---|
| Electrician | Del-Norte | Building | #federal | $17.41 | $6.05 | $23.46 |
| Electricians: Cable Splicer | Del-Norte | Building | #federal | $18.80 | $6.09 | $24.89 |
| Electricians: (Communications & System Electronic Installer: Communications & Systems Technician (including Any Data System Whose Only Function Is to Transmit or Receive Information Excluding All Other Data Systems or Multiple Systems Which Include Control Function or Power Supply (inclusion or Exclusion of Terminations and Testings of Conductors Determined by Their Function); Excluding Fire Alarm Work When Installed in Raceways (Including Wire and Cable Pulling)And When Performed on New or Major Remodel Building Projects or Jobs; Excluding Installation of Raceway Systems, Line Voltage Work, Industrial Work, Life-safety Systems (All Buildings Having Floors Located More Than 75' Above the Lowest Floro Level Having Building Access); Excluding Energy Management Systems) | Del-Norte | Building | #federal | $13.62 | $1.31 | $14.93 |
| Electrician | Humboldt | Building | #federal | $17.41 | $6.05 | $23.46 |
| Electricians: Cable Splicer | Humboldt | Building | #federal | $18.80 | $6.09 | $24.89 |
| Electricians: (Communications & System Electronic Installer: Communications & Systems Technician (including Any Data System Whose Only Function Is to Transmit or Receive Information Excluding All Other Data Systems or Multiple Systems Which Include Control Function or Power Supply (inclusion or Exclusion of Terminations and Testings of Conductors Determined by Their Function); Excluding Fire Alarm Work When Installed in Raceways (Including Wire and Cable Pulling)And When Performed on New or Major Remodel Building Projects or Jobs; Excluding Installation of Raceway Systems, Line Voltage Work, Industrial Work, Life-safety Systems (All Buildings Having Floors Located More Than 75' Above the Lowest Floro Level Having Building Access); Excluding Energy Management Systems) | Humboldt | Building | #federal | $13.62 | $1.31 | $14.93 |
| Electrician | Lake | Building | #federal | $17.41 | $6.05 | $23.46 |
| Electricians: Cable Splicer | Lake | Building | #federal | $18.80 | $6.09 | $24.89 |
| Electricians: (Communications & System Electronic Installer: Communications & Systems Technician (including Any Data System Whose Only Function Is to Transmit or Receive Information Excluding All Other Data Systems or Multiple Systems Which Include Control Function or Power Supply (inclusion or Exclusion of Terminations and Testings of Conductors Determined by Their Function); Excluding Fire Alarm Work When Installed in Raceways (Including Wire and Cable Pulling)And When Performed on New or Major Remodel Building Projects or Jobs; Excluding Installation of Raceway Systems, Line Voltage Work, Industrial Work, Life-safety Systems (All Buildings Having Floors Located More Than 75' Above the Lowest Floro Level Having Building Access); Excluding Energy Management Systems) | Lake | Building | #federal | $13.62 | $1.31 | $14.93 |
| Electrician | Mendocino | Building | #federal | $17.41 | $6.05 | $23.46 |
| Electricians: Cable Splicer | Mendocino | Building | #federal | $18.80 | $6.09 | $24.89 |
| Electricians: (Communications & System Electronic Installer: Communications & Systems Technician (including Any Data System Whose Only Function Is to Transmit or Receive Information Excluding All Other Data Systems or Multiple Systems Which Include Control Function or Power Supply (inclusion or Exclusion of Terminations and Testings of Conductors Determined by Their Function); Excluding Fire Alarm Work When Installed in Raceways (Including Wire and Cable Pulling)And When Performed on New or Major Remodel Building Projects or Jobs; Excluding Installation of Raceway Systems, Line Voltage Work, Industrial Work, Life-safety Systems (All Buildings Having Floors Located More Than 75' Above the Lowest Floro Level Having Building Access); Excluding Energy Management Systems) | Mendocino | Building | #federal | $13.62 | $1.31 | $14.93 |
| Electrician | Del-Norte | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Lake | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Mendocino | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Colusa | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Glenn | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Lassen | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Modoc | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Nevada | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Plumas | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Sierra | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Siskiyou | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Tehama | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Trinity | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Alpine | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Amador | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Calaveras | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Inyo | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Mariposa | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Mono | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Tuolumne | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Humboldt | Residential | #federal | $31.70 | $9.70 | $41.40 |
| Electrician | Orange | Highway | #federal | $61.10 | $27.00 | $88.10 |
| Electrician | Orange | Heavy | #federal | $61.10 | $27.00 | $88.10 |
| Electrician | Orange | Building | #federal | $61.10 | $27.00 | $88.10 |
| Electrician | Amador | Building | #federal | $16.30 | $3.87 | $20.17 |
| Electricians: Cable Splicer | Amador | Building | #federal | $17.93 | $3.92 | $21.85 |
| Electricians: Residential Electrician | Amador | Building | #federal | $14.50 | $3.30 | $17.80 |
| Electricians: Sound and Signal Technician | Amador | Building | #federal | $15.65 | $1.50 | $17.15 |
| Electrician: Inside Electrical Work: Journeyman Electrician Foot Note: Cable Splicer & Instrument Person: Recieve 5% Additional Per Hour Above Journeyman Electrician Basic Hourly Rate. Tunnel Work: 10% Additional Per Hour | Los-Angeles | Building | #federal | $60.80 | $31.59 | $92.39 |
| Electrician: Inside Electrical Work: Journeyman Electrician Foot Note: Cable Splicer & Instrument Person: Recieve 5% Additional Per Hour Above Journeyman Electrician Basic Hourly Rate. Tunnel Work: 10% Additional Per Hour | Los-Angeles | Highway | #federal | $60.80 | $31.59 | $92.39 |
| Electrician: Inside Electrical Work: Journeyman Electrician Foot Note: Cable Splicer & Instrument Person: Recieve 5% Additional Per Hour Above Journeyman Electrician Basic Hourly Rate. Tunnel Work: 10% Additional Per Hour | Los-Angeles | Heavy | #federal | $60.80 | $31.59 | $92.39 |
| Electrician: Intelligent Transportation Systems Street Lighting, Traffic Signals, Cctv ,and Underground Systems: Journeyman Transportation Electrician Foot Note: Cable Splicer & Instrument Person: Recieve 5% Additional Per Hour Above Journeyman Electrician Basic Hourly Rate. Tunnel Work: 10% Additional Per Hour. Scope of Work - Transportation Systems Electrician: Installation of Street Lights and Traffic Signals,including Electrical Circuitry, Programmable Controllers, Pedestal-mounted Electrical Meter Enclosures and Laying of Pre-assembled Multi-conductor Cable in Ducts, Layout of Electrical Systems and Communication Installation, Including Proper Position of Trench Depths and Radius at Duct Banks, Location for Man Holes, Pull Boxes, Street Lights and Traffic Signals. Installation of Underground Ducts for Electrical,telephone, Cable Television and Communication Systems. Pulling,termination and Splicing of Traffic Signal and Street Lighting Conductors and Electrical Systems Including Interconnect,detector Loop, Fiber Optic Cable and Video/Cable. | Los-Angeles | Heavy | #federal | $60.80 | $31.59 | $92.39 |
| Electrician: Intelligent Transportation Systems Street Lighting, Traffic Signals, Cctv ,and Underground Systems: Journeyman Transportation Electrician Foot Note: Cable Splicer & Instrument Person: Recieve 5% Additional Per Hour Above Journeyman Electrician Basic Hourly Rate. Tunnel Work: 10% Additional Per Hour. Scope of Work - Transportation Systems Electrician: Installation of Street Lights and Traffic Signals,including Electrical Circuitry, Programmable Controllers, Pedestal-mounted Electrical Meter Enclosures and Laying of Pre-assembled Multi-conductor Cable in Ducts, Layout of Electrical Systems and Communication Installation, Including Proper Position of Trench Depths and Radius at Duct Banks, Location for Man Holes, Pull Boxes, Street Lights and Traffic Signals. Installation of Underground Ducts for Electrical,telephone, Cable Television and Communication Systems. Pulling,termination and Splicing of Traffic Signal and Street Lighting Conductors and Electrical Systems Including Interconnect,detector Loop, Fiber Optic Cable and Video/Cable. | Los-Angeles | Building | #federal | $60.80 | $31.59 | $92.39 |
| Electrician: Intelligent Transportation Systems Street Lighting, Traffic Signals, Cctv ,and Underground Systems: Journeyman Transportation Electrician Foot Note: Cable Splicer & Instrument Person: Recieve 5% Additional Per Hour Above Journeyman Electrician Basic Hourly Rate. Tunnel Work: 10% Additional Per Hour. Scope of Work - Transportation Systems Electrician: Installation of Street Lights and Traffic Signals,including Electrical Circuitry, Programmable Controllers, Pedestal-mounted Electrical Meter Enclosures and Laying of Pre-assembled Multi-conductor Cable in Ducts, Layout of Electrical Systems and Communication Installation, Including Proper Position of Trench Depths and Radius at Duct Banks, Location for Man Holes, Pull Boxes, Street Lights and Traffic Signals. Installation of Underground Ducts for Electrical,telephone, Cable Television and Communication Systems. Pulling,termination and Splicing of Traffic Signal and Street Lighting Conductors and Electrical Systems Including Interconnect,detector Loop, Fiber Optic Cable and Video/Cable. | Los-Angeles | Highway | #federal | $60.80 | $31.59 | $92.39 |
| Electrician: Intelligent Transportation Systems Street Lighting, Traffic Signals, Cctv, and Underground Systems: Technician Foot Note: Cable Splicer & Instrument Person: Recieve 5% Additional Per Hour Above Journeyman Electrician Basic Hourly Rate. Tunnel Work: 10% Additional Per Hour. Scope of Work - Transportation Systems Technician: Distribution of Material at Job Site, Manual Excavation and Backfill, Installation of System Conduits and Raceways for Electrical, Telephone, Cable Television and Communication Systems. Pulling, Terminating and Splicing of Traffic Signal and Street Lighting Conductors and Electrical Systems Including Interconnect, Detector Loop, Fiber Optic Cable and Video/Data | Los-Angeles | Building | #federal | $45.60 | $31.14 | $76.74 |
| Electrician: Intelligent Transportation Systems Street Lighting, Traffic Signals, Cctv, and Underground Systems: Technician Foot Note: Cable Splicer & Instrument Person: Recieve 5% Additional Per Hour Above Journeyman Electrician Basic Hourly Rate. Tunnel Work: 10% Additional Per Hour. Scope of Work - Transportation Systems Technician: Distribution of Material at Job Site, Manual Excavation and Backfill, Installation of System Conduits and Raceways for Electrical, Telephone, Cable Television and Communication Systems. Pulling, Terminating and Splicing of Traffic Signal and Street Lighting Conductors and Electrical Systems Including Interconnect, Detector Loop, Fiber Optic Cable and Video/Data | Los-Angeles | Heavy | #federal | $45.60 | $31.14 | $76.74 |
| Electrician: Intelligent Transportation Systems Street Lighting, Traffic Signals, Cctv, and Underground Systems: Technician Foot Note: Cable Splicer & Instrument Person: Recieve 5% Additional Per Hour Above Journeyman Electrician Basic Hourly Rate. Tunnel Work: 10% Additional Per Hour. Scope of Work - Transportation Systems Technician: Distribution of Material at Job Site, Manual Excavation and Backfill, Installation of System Conduits and Raceways for Electrical, Telephone, Cable Television and Communication Systems. Pulling, Terminating and Splicing of Traffic Signal and Street Lighting Conductors and Electrical Systems Including Interconnect, Detector Loop, Fiber Optic Cable and Video/Data | Los-Angeles | Highway | #federal | $45.60 | $31.14 | $76.74 |
| Electrician | Tulare | Highway | #federal | $50.00 | $30.15 | $80.15 |
WageFinder holds more electrician records for California than fit on this page. Open a county below, or search all California electricians.
What does the electrician classification cover?
Electricians install, alter and repair the electrical systems of a project — service entrances, feeders, branch circuits, panelboards, conduit and wiring devices. On Davis-Bacon work the electrician rate is usually one of the highest non-supervisory rates on the determination, and it is frequently split between inside wiremen and outside line construction, which are separate classifications with separate rates.
Work typically covered
- Conduit and raceway
- Service and distribution equipment
- Branch circuit wiring
- Fire alarm and low voltage
- Temporary power
Also listed as
- Inside Wireman
- Electrician (Lineman)
- Electrical Worker
In this California result set the work appears under 8 distinct classification names.
Electrician rates by county in California
Prevailing wage is set county by county. These are the California counties with electrician records in the set above — open one to see every classification on that county's determination, not just this trade.
See all California counties →
Other trades in California
Electrician prevailing wage questions
What is the prevailing wage for a electrician in California?
Across the 50 federal-funded determination records WageFinder lists for electricians in California, total prevailing wage runs from $14.93 to $92.39 per hour, median $41.40. There is no single statewide figure: each county's determination sets its own rate, and the same county can carry different rates for Building, Highway, Heavy and Residential work.
Does the electrician rate include benefits?
The total prevailing wage shown is the base hourly rate plus the fringe benefit rate. Of the 50 California records on this page, 50 list a fringe amount separately, with a median of $9.70 per hour — roughly 23% of the median total. The rest list no separate fringe, meaning the base rate is the whole obligation. Fringe can be paid as bona fide benefit plan contributions, as cash added to the paycheck, or as a mix of both.
Which California counties have electrician rates?
This page lists electrician records for 24 counties in California: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, Del-Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Lake, Lassen, Los-Angeles, Mariposa, and others. Determinations that apply statewide appear under a statewide entry rather than a named county.
How current are these California electrician rates?
The most recent determination in this set is dated May 20, 2026. WageFinder re-reads the official sources weekly, but the date that matters for compliance is the determination date on the document itself, which is shown on every wage detail page and links back to the government source.
