Electrician Salary - Mountain West
Smaller markets with growing residential and commercial demand
Wage figures on this page reflect all electricians counted by the BLS, across union and non-union work, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. The BLS does not publish a separate journey-level tier. State figures are medians: half of workers earn more, half earn less.
The Mountain West is a region of contrasts. Idaho and Utah are growing rapidly but wages haven't kept pace with population and construction demand. Wyoming is the outlier in the other direction, a small workforce driven by energy sector work. The region as a whole is smaller than other regions by employment volume but offers opportunities in the right markets.
Union density in the Mountain West is moderate and concentrated in specific markets. Denver's IBEW locals cover a commercial market. Las Vegas has union presence driven by casino and resort construction. Salt Lake City has a growing IBEW presence. Idaho and Montana are primarily non-union markets. The energy sector across Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado employs significant numbers of industrial electricians.
Cost of living across the Mountain West has risen significantly over the past decade driven by population growth. Colorado at 101.8 and Nevada at 100.7 are near the national average but trending upward. Denver and Reno housing markets have appreciated rapidly. Idaho at 101.7 has seen significant appreciation from its historically low base. Montana at 105.9 reflects the Bozeman and Missoula market appreciation. Utah at 100.6 is near average but Salt Lake City housing has risen sharply. Wyoming at 93.7 remains below average.
- →Rapid residential and commercial construction across the Denver, Salt Lake City, and Boise metros driven by population migration
- →Casino, resort, and hospitality construction in Las Vegas
- →Oil, gas, and renewable energy infrastructure across Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana
- →Data center construction expanding into Nevada and Colorado driven by land availability and energy costs
- →Semiconductor and advanced manufacturing facility construction in Idaho and Colorado
The Mountain West offers opportunities for travelers in the right markets. Las Vegas is a destination. Casino and resort construction runs year-round and IBEW locals regularly recruit travelers. Denver is active on commercial construction. Wyoming has energy work for travelers willing to work remote locations. Idaho and Montana are lower-wage markets. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current Las Vegas and Denver openings.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living: what a paycheck buys relative to the national median.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $76,760 +$13,570 vs. national | 105.9 | $72,483 +$9,293 vs. national |
| Wyoming | $76,120 +$12,930 vs. national | 93.7 | $81,238 +$18,048 vs. national |
| Nevada | $73,570 +$10,380 vs. national | 100.7 | $73,059 +$9,869 vs. national |
| Idaho | $63,000 -$190 vs. national | 101.7 | $61,947 -$1,243 vs. national |
| Colorado | $62,230 -$960 vs. national | 101.8 | $61,130 -$2,060 vs. national |
| Utah | $62,000 -$1,190 vs. national | 100.6 | $61,630 -$1,560 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - Electricians - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.