Electrician in Orem, UT

As a career analyst who has lived in Utah County for years, I’ve watched Orem’s electrician job market evolve from a quiet suburban trade to a dynamic field shaped by tech growth, new housing, and the constant need for infrastructure work. If you're an electrician considering a move here, you're looking at a solid market with a cost of living that—while rising—still offers a reasonable balance. This guide is built on hard data, local insights, and the realities of working in Orem and its surrounding communities.

The Salary Picture: Where Orem Stands

First, let's ground ourselves in the numbers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market data, the median salary for an electrician in the Orem-Provo metropolitan area is $60,626 per year, with an hourly rate of $29.15 per hour. This is slightly below the national average of $61,550/year, which is common for many trades in the Intermountain West. However, the lower cost of living often offsets this difference. The metro area supports about 286 jobs for electricians, and the 10-year job growth is projected at a healthy 11%, driven by population growth, commercial development, and the ongoing need to maintain and upgrade existing electrical systems.

To understand what this means for you, it’s crucial to break down salaries by experience. The following table provides a realistic range based on local job postings and industry contacts.

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary (Orem Metro)	Notes
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$45,000 - $52,000	Typically starts as an apprentice or helper. Strong demand for those completing apprenticeships.
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$55,000 - $68,000	Can work independently. Often holding a Journeyman license.
Senior	8-15 years	$65,000 - $80,000	Management roles, complex commercial projects, or specialized work.
Expert	15+ years	$75,000+	Master electrician, business owner, or highly specialized (e.g., data centers).

How Orem Compares to Other Utah Cities:
Orem is part of the larger Provo-Orem metro area. Salaries are generally comparable to Provo and Lehi, but can be slightly higher in specialized hubs like Salt Lake City (e.g., for data center work or union jobs). However, the cost of living in Salt Lake is significantly higher. For a similar lifestyle, Orem offers a more affordable entry point. Pay scales are also influenced by union vs. non-union shops, with union work (like at local hospitals or large commercial builds) often coming with premium wages and benefits.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $60,626 sounds good, but what does it mean for your monthly budget? Let's break it down (using 2023-2024 estimates for Utah tax rates and local housing costs).

Monthly Budget Breakdown for an Electrician Earning $60,626:

• Gross Monthly Income: $5,052
• Estimated Taxes (Federal + State + FICA): ~$1,250 (Net Monthly: $3,802)
• Average 1BR Rent in Orem: $1,093/month (per city data)
• Remaining for Utilities, Food, Insurance, etc.: $2,709

At this income level, an electrician can comfortably afford a 1-bedroom apartment and still have substantial funds for savings, transportation, and leisure. Utilities (including Xcel Energy for electricity) average $150-$200/month in a 1BR.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
This is the bigger question. The median home price in Orem is approximately $425,000. A 20% down payment is $85,000. For your $60,626 salary, mortgage lenders typically recommend your housing payment (including taxes and insurance) not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. That’s about $1,415/month.

A $340,000 loan (after a 20% down payment) at a 6.5% interest rate over 30 years would have a principal and interest payment of ~$2,150/month, which is too high for your salary. However, with a dual-income household or by targeting a condo/townhouse in the $250,000-$300,000 range (more feasible in areas like Vineyard or further south in Spanish Fork), homeownership becomes a realistic goal after a few years of saving and career advancement. Many local electricians I know buy homes after 5-7 years, often with their spouse’s income.

Where the Jobs Are: Orem’s Major Employers

Orem’s economy is a mix of healthcare, education, tech, and residential services. Here are the key employers and trends for electricians:

1. Intermountain Healthcare (Orem Community Hospital): A major employer for maintenance and facilities electricians. They handle everything from patient room wiring to backup generators. Hiring is steady, with a strong preference for licensed journeymen. Insider Tip: They post jobs on their internal board first; networking here is key.
2. Utah Valley University (UVU): With continuous campus expansion (like the new Business Building), UVU hires electricians for new construction and ongoing facility maintenance. Often seeks candidates with commercial experience.
3. Brady Industries: A large, locally-owned electrical contractor serving all of Utah County. They do everything from residential tract homes to commercial tenant improvements. A great place to learn if you're newer, with lots of diverse project work.
4. Tech Data Centers (in Lehi/Draper, but Orem residents commute): The "Silicon Slopes" boom is just 20 minutes north. Companies like Facebook (in Eagle Mountain) and others build massive data centers requiring highly specialized, high-voltage electricians. This is where you can command a premium salary, often $35-$45/hour.
5. Orem City Corporation: The municipality hires electricians for public works projects, street lighting, and city facility maintenance. These are stable, government jobs with excellent benefits.
6. Residential Development Firms (e.g., Thompson Homes, D.R. Horton): The ongoing residential boom in South Orem, Vineyard, and around the University Parkway area means steady work for residential electricians, especially with production builders.

Hiring Trends: The biggest demand right now is for electricians with commercial experience and any low-voltage/data cabling expertise. The residential market is stable, but the growth is in commercial and industrial.

Getting Licensed in Utah

Utah has a clear, structured path to licensure through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). You cannot legally perform electrical work for hire without a license.

• Apprenticeship: Start here. You need 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) under a licensed electrician and 576 hours of classroom instruction (usually from a trade school like Utah Electrical Training Alliance or Mountainland Technical College). This typically takes 4 years.
• Journeyman Electrician License: After completing your apprenticeship, you must pass the Utah State Electrical Exam (administered by PSI). The exam fee is approximately $100. License fee: $110.
• Master Electrician License: Requires 4 years as a licensed journeyman and passing the Master Electrician exam. This is needed to pull permits and run your own business.
• Costs: Total cost for licensing (apprenticeship not included) is roughly $200-$300 for exams and fees. Apprenticeship programs can cost $4,000-$6,000 in tuition (but many employers help pay for this).
• Timeline: It takes a minimum of 4-5 years to go from zero to a licensed Journeyman Electrician in Utah.

Key Resource: Always check the Utah DOPL website for the most current requirements and exam outlines.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Where you live in Orem affects your commute and lifestyle. Here’s a local’s guide:

1. Central Orem (84057): The heart of the city, close to UVU and major commercial corridors like State Street and Center Street. Very convenient for commuting to local jobs. Rent for a 1BR is close to the city average, $1,100. Great if you want to be near restaurants and action.
2. South Orem / Vineyard (84058): This is the fastest-growing area, with new developments and townhomes. Commutes to Lehi or Provo are easy via I-15. It’s quieter, more suburban. Rent for a 1BR is slightly higher, $1,150-$1,250, for newer units.
3. East Orem / Orem Bench: Established neighborhoods with older homes, offering more space and character. Commutes are simple via 800 North or 1600 North. Rent is slightly lower, $1,000-$1,100. Good for those wanting a classic suburban feel.
4. Provo (Just South): If Orem feels too busy, Provo’s neighborhoods like East Bay or East Lakes offer a similar lifestyle with easy access to I-15 and downtown Provo. 1BR rent is comparable, $1,050-$1,150.
5. Spanish Fork / Springville (Further South): If you’re looking for more home for your money and a tighter community feel, these towns are a 15-25 minute commute. 1BR rent can dip to $950-$1,050. Popular with families in the trade.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Orem, career growth for electricians is less about climbing a corporate ladder and more about specialization and entrepreneurship.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Solar/Residential Renewables: With abundant sunshine, solar installation is growing. Certified solar electricians can earn 15-20% more than standard residential electricians.
  • Data Center / Industrial: As noted, this is the highest-paying niche. Specializing in high-voltage systems, SCADA, or controls can push wages well above the median.
  • Service & Maintenance: For those who prefer stability over project-based work, becoming a facilities electrician for a hospital or university (like Intermountain or UVU) offers strong benefits and incremental raises.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Journeyman → Master Electrician: This is the technical path. It increases your credibility and earning potential, especially if you want to run your own crew.
  2. Field Electrician → Project Manager: With strong communication skills, you can move into estimating and managing projects for a contractor. This is a salaried role, often $70,000-$90,000.
  3. Employee → Business Owner: Utah has a fairly low barrier to entry for starting a small electrical business (LLC, bonding, insurance). Many successful local contractors started as solo operators in Orem, servicing residential clients.
• 10-Year Outlook (11% Growth): This growth is real. The drivers are the continued population influx in Utah County, the expansion of the Silicon Slopes tech corridor (requiring more commercial and data center work), and the replacement of aging electrical infrastructure in older homes and buildings. Electricians who adapt to smart home technology, EV charger installations, and energy efficiency upgrades will be in the highest demand.

The Verdict: Is Orem Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, growing job market with diverse opportunities (residential, commercial, industrial).	Salary is slightly below national average, though the lower cost of living helps.
Lower cost of living than Salt Lake City or major coastal cities.	Housing market is competitive and rising.
Excellent work-life balance in a family-oriented community.	Traffic on I-15 during commute hours to Lehi or Salt Lake can be significant.
Clear path to licensure and business ownership.	Market can be cyclical with residential construction booms and busts.
Access to major employers like Intermountain, UVU, and Silicon Slopes.	Summers are hot and dry, which can be challenging for outdoor work.

Final Recommendation:
Orem is an excellent choice for electricians, especially those starting out or in mid-career. The combination of a stable job market, affordable living (for Utah), and a clear path to specialization and business ownership is compelling. It’s ideal for someone who values a community-focused lifestyle but wants access to major industry and growth opportunities. If you're a highly specialized industrial electrician seeking top-tier union wages, you might find more opportunities in Salt Lake, but you'll pay significantly more for housing. For the majority of electricians, Orem offers the best balance of career potential and quality of life in Utah County.

FAQs

1. What’s the best way to find an electrical job in Orem before moving?
Start with local contractors’ websites (like Brady Industries, Staker Parson) and Utah-based job boards like KSL Jobs. LinkedIn is also useful for connecting with hiring managers at larger companies like Intermountain. Be upfront about your licensure status and experience.

2. Is the electrical trade unionized in Orem?
There is a presence (Local 354 in Salt Lake covers the state), but the market is predominantly non-union. Union work is more common on large public works projects and at certain hospitals. You can have a successful career either way, but union jobs often come with structured wage scales and pensions.

3. How does the climate affect an electrician’s work?
Utah has four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and dry (ideal for outdoor work, but requires hydration and sun protection). Winters are cold and can be snowy, which shifts work towards indoor residential projects, service calls for heating systems, and commercial builds. Spring and fall are the prime seasons for new construction.

4. Can I work as an electrician in Orem with a license from another state?
Utah has reciprocity agreements with some states, but not all. You will need to apply for a Utah license through DOPL. If you have journeyman or master status from another state, you may be able to test directly for Utah licensure without completing the full apprenticeship, but you must provide proof of your out-of-state hours and training. Contact DOPL directly for your specific situation.

5. What’s the biggest mistake new electricians make when moving to Orem?
Underestimating the cost of living and not budgeting for the initial setup costs (security deposit, first month’s rent, tools, vehicle). Also, not researching the specific licensing requirements before moving. It’s crucial to have your paperwork in order before you arrive.