Electrician in Pawtucket, RI

The Salary Picture: Where Pawtucket Stands

Pawtucket sits at a fascinating crossroads in the Rhode Island job market. For electricians, it’s not a booming metropolis, but a solid, steady market with a unique position. You’re nestled between the larger Providence metro and the more industrial corridors to the north. The median salary for electricians here tells a story of stability. $61,716/year is the figure, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.67/hour. This is just a hair above the national average of $61,550/year, but don’t let that number sell you short. The cost of living here is also slightly above the national average, which means your purchasing power is a direct reflection of your skill level and specialization.

Here’s how that median breaks down by experience level in our local market. These are estimates based on local job postings and conversations with contractors in the Blackstone Valley area.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Local Factors
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$45,000 - $52,000	Often starts with residential wiring for new builds in the suburbs or as a helper on commercial retrofits. Union apprenticeships are competitive.
Mid-Level (2-5 years)	$55,000 - $68,000	This is where you hit the median. You’re likely a lead on residential projects, troubleshooting in commercial spaces, or working on industrial equipment.
Senior (5-10 years)	$70,000 - $85,000	Specialization kicks in. You might be a master electrician on a project site, managing a crew, or handling complex systems in hospitals or older industrial buildings.
Expert (10+ years)	$85,000+	Often project managers for large firms, owners of a small business, or specialists in areas like high-voltage or renewable energy installations.

Compared to other RI cities: Pawtucket often trades places with nearby Cumberland and Lincoln for job volume. Providence, just south, has more openings but also more competition and traffic. To the north in Woonsocket or Fall River, MA, you might find slightly lower wages but a different industrial mix. Pawtucket’s advantage is its central location. A 15-minute drive can get you to a job in Providence or a residential project in a quiet suburb like North Attleboro (just over the line in MA). The jobs in the metro area are listed at 225, which is a respectable number for a mid-sized city, indicating a steady demand rather than a boom or bust cycle.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the numbers. Earning the median salary of $61,716/year puts you in a solid position, but budgeting is key. After federal, state, and FICA taxes, a single filer can expect to take home approximately $47,000 - $48,000 annually, or about $3,900 - $4,000 per month.

Now, factor in housing. The average rent for a 1BR apartment in Pawtucket is $1,362/month. The Cost of Living Index is 100.9 (US avg = 100), meaning everything from groceries to utilities is a touch pricier than the national average.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget for an electrician earning the median salary:

Category	Monthly Estimate	Notes
Gross Pay	$5,143	Based on $29.67/hour for 40 hrs/week
Net Pay (Take-Home)	$3,950	After taxes and deductions
Rent (1BR)	$1,362	Can vary by neighborhood (see below)
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Internet)	$200	Older buildings can have higher heating costs
Car Payment & Insurance	$450	Essential for commuting to job sites
Groceries & Dining	$450	Providence metro has good food options
Health Insurance	$200	If not fully covered by employer
Savings/Debt/Discretionary	$1,288	This is where you build wealth or pay down loans

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, but it requires careful planning. As of late 2023, the median home price in Pawtucket is around $350,000. With a 10% down payment ($35,000), a mortgage would be roughly $1,900 - $2,100/month including taxes and insurance. This is a significant jump from the $1,362 rent. Many local electricians start in a duplex or multi-family home—Pawtucket has plenty of these—where renting one unit and living in the other (or owning the whole building with a partner) is a common path to building equity. Insider Tip: Look for properties in the "East Side" or near the Slater Park area, where multi-families are more common and offer a better return on investment than a single-family home.

Where the Jobs Are: Pawtucket's Major Employers

Pawtucket’s job market for electricians is a mix of old-school industrial, modern commercial, and residential. It’s not dominated by one giant employer, which can be a good thing—it spreads the risk and opportunity. Here’s who’s hiring:

1. Local Electrical Contractors: The backbone of the market. Firms like G. R. E. T. Electric (often found on job sites across the Blackstone Valley) and Bayview Electric are consistently looking for licensed journeyman and master electricians for residential and commercial work. They handle everything from new home wiring in the suburban fringes to office build-outs in the city’s business parks.
2. Hospitals & Large Institutions: Fatima Hospital (part of the St. Joseph’s Health system) and the Rhode Island Hospital complex (just south in Providence) are constant sources of work. They need electricians for facility maintenance, medical equipment installation, and emergency repairs. These jobs often pay a premium for reliability and specialized knowledge of hospital codes.
3. Industrial & Manufacturing: While the classic textile mills are gone, Pawtucket still has a manufacturing base. Companies like Amphenol (a major connector manufacturer) or local machine shops require electricians for machinery maintenance and plant wiring. These roles are often unionized (IBEW Local 99) and come with excellent benefits.
4. Public Works & Municipal: The City of Pawtucket itself is an employer. The Public Works department hires electricians for maintaining streetlights, traffic signals, and city-owned buildings. These are stable, government jobs with good pensions, but openings are infrequent.
5. Renewable Energy & Specialty Firms: A growing niche. With state incentives for solar, local companies like New England Solar Hot (based in nearby Smithfield) sometimes need electricians for PV system installations. This is a forward-looking specialty that can pay more than standard residential work.
6. Property Management Companies: Firms that manage the city’s many multi-family homes and small apartment complexes (e.g., The Wilk Group) often have a go-to electrician or hire for their maintenance staff. This can be a steady stream of smaller jobs—outlet repairs, panel upgrades, lighting retrofits.

Hiring Trends: Post-pandemic, there’s a slight shift. More homeowners are opting for renovations over moving, which means steady residential work. Commercial projects are picking up again, especially in the city’s revitalized downtown area near the Blackstone River. The biggest hiring challenge for employers is finding licensed electricians who can work independently. If you have a clean record and your license, you’re in demand.

Getting Licensed in RI

Rhode Island licensing is handled by the RI Department of Labor and Training (DLT) – Division of Licensing. The process is straightforward but requires time and dedication.

Requirements:

• Apprenticeship: Complete a 4-year, 8,000-hour apprenticeship program through the RI Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) or an approved non-union program.
• Examination: Pass the Rhode Island electrician licensing exam (based on the NEC).
• Experience: For a Journeyman License, you need 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a licensed electrician.
• Master Electrician: Requires a Journeyman License plus 2 additional years of experience (4,000 hours).

Costs & Timeline:

• Apprenticeship Tuition: Can range from $1,500 - $3,000 total for a 4-year program, often covered or reimbursed by employers.
• Exam Fee: ~$150 for the license exam.
• License Fee: ~$50 for the initial license.
• Timeline: From starting an apprenticeship to earning your Journeyman License is a 4-5 year process. This is a significant investment, but it’s the golden ticket. Once licensed, your earning potential jumps significantly.

Insider Tip: The RI Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), which partners with IBEW Local 99, is the most structured path and often leads to union jobs. However, non-union contractors also sponsor apprentices. Start by calling local contractors directly to ask about apprenticeship openings.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a breakdown of Pawtucket neighborhoods fit for an electrician.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Why It's Good for Electricians
Downtown / Blackstone River Corridor	Walkable, urban, revitalizing. Close to job sites.	$1,400 - $1,600	Minimal commute. Near coffee shops and restaurants. Good for young, single electricians. Street parking can be a challenge.
East Side (Residential)	Quiet, family-oriented, tree-lined streets.	$1,300 - $1,500	Established neighborhoods with older homes that need frequent electrical updates. Close to Slater Park. A great place to build a client base.
West End / Pleasant View	Working-class, dense, affordable.	$1,150 - $1,300	More affordable rent. Central location for commuting to both downtown and the suburbs. Houses are close together, which means lots of potential service calls.
Oak Hill / Phillipsdale	Suburban feel, more single-family homes.	$1,200 - $1,400	Quieter, but you’ll need a car. Close to the Route 1/Route 44 corridor for easy access to jobs in MA or Providence.
Seekonk (Just over the line)	MA suburb, excellent schools, more spacious.	$1,500 - $1,700	A short commute (10-15 mins) to Pawtucket. Higher rent, but no state income tax on wages if you work in RI and live in MA. A popular choice for established electricians with families.

Insider Tip: If you’re looking to buy a multi-family for investment, the West End and parts of the East Side offer the most inventory at reasonable prices. The city is actively promoting redevelopment, which could boost property values long-term.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Your career as an electrician in Pawtucket isn’t just about wiring outlets. It’s about specialization and location.

Specialty Premiums:

• Master Electrician: Add $15,000 - $25,000 to your base salary. This is the ticket to running your own business or leading large projects.
• Data/Comm Technician: With the growth of data centers in the region (driven by Providence’s tech scene), electricians with low-voltage and fiber optic skills can command a 10-15% premium.
• Renewable Energy Specialist: As RI pushes for green energy, this is a high-growth area. Expect a premium of $5,000 - $10,000 over standard residential rates.
• Industrial Maintenance: Union positions in this category are highly sought after and offer the best benefits packages (pension, annuity, healthcare).

Advancement Paths:

1. Path 1: The Business Owner. Many electricians start their own small shop after 10+ years. Pawtucket’s size means you can build a strong local reputation without needing a massive marketing budget.
2. Path 2: The Project Manager. Move from the tools to the office, managing timelines and crews for a larger electrical contractor.
3. Path 3: The Government Specialist. Secure a municipal job with the City of Pawtucket or a state agency for unparalleled job security and benefits.

10-Year Outlook (11% Growth): The 11% job growth rate projected for the metro area is positive, faster than the national average for many trades. This growth is driven by three factors: 1) Aging Infrastructure: Much of Pawtucket’s housing stock is pre-1970, requiring constant electrical panel and wiring upgrades. 2) Commercial Revitalization: Ongoing projects in the downtown and waterfront areas will need skilled electricians. 3) Energy Transition: The state’s push for electrification (heat pumps, EV chargers) will create sustained demand. The key to capitalizing on this growth is licensing and specialization. The generic residential wireman will see steady work, but the licensed master with a niche will see the highest income and opportunities.

The Verdict: Is Pawtucket Right for You?

This isn’t a city of extremes. It’s a steady, affordable (relative to the region) market with a clear path to a middle-class life if you’re willing to put in the work to get licensed.

Pros	Cons
Stable Job Market: 225 jobs and 11% growth offer security, not just a boom.	Competitive Licensing: The 4-5 year apprenticeship requirement is a high barrier to entry.
Central Location: Easy access to Providence, Boston, and the MA suburbs.	Traffic Congestion: Commuting through Pawtucket and to Providence can be slow during rush hour.
Strong Union Presence (IBEW Local 99): Excellent benefits for those who get in.	Limited High-End Specialization: While growing, the market for ultra-high-tech electrical work is smaller than in major metros.
Affordable Housing (for RI): You can find a decent apartment without breaking the bank.	Older Housing Stock: Can mean more challenging, less predictable work on service calls.
Access to Apprenticeship Programs: Structured paths to licensure.	Seasonal Work Variability: Residential work can slow down in deep winter.

Final Recommendation: Pawtucket is an excellent choice for electricians who value stability over glamour. It’s ideal for someone coming out of an apprenticeship, a mid-career electrician looking for a lower cost of living than Boston, or a union member seeking a solid local market. It’s less ideal for someone seeking the fastest-paced, highest-paying tech scene or for those who don’t want to deal with older infrastructure. If you’re willing to get your license, specialize, and possibly invest in a multi-family property, Pawtucket offers a realistic and rewarding career path.

FAQs

Q: Is it better to join the union (IBEW) in Pawtucket?
A: For most, yes. The union (Local 99) provides health insurance, a pension, and an annuity, which are massive long-term benefits. The non-union side can offer more flexibility and sometimes higher immediate hourly rates for short-term projects, but with fewer safety nets. Insider Tip: The union apprenticeship is highly competitive. Apply early and network with current members.

Q: How do I find an apprenticeship?
A: Start with the RI JATC website for the union path. For non-union, directly contact local contractors like G. R. E. T. Electric or Bayview Electric. Check the RI DLT website for a list of licensed master electricians who can sponsor apprentices. Be persistent—calls and follow-ups are key.

Q: Can I work in Massachusetts as a Rhode Island-licensed electrician?
A: Generally, no. You need a separate license for Massachusetts. However, many electricians live in one state and work in another. The process is similar: you’ll need to meet MA’s experience requirements and pass their exam. It’s common for electricians in the Blackstone Valley to hold both licenses, especially if they live in a MA suburb like Seekonk.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for new electricians in Pawtucket?
A: The first three years. The pay as an apprentice can be low, and the work is physically demanding. Many apprentices drop out due to the grind. Those who stick with it, get their license, and specialize find the career incredibly rewarding and financially stable.

Q: Are there opportunities for side work?
A: Absolutely. Once licensed, side work is a huge part of the local economy. Think of helping a neighbor with a ceiling fan, a small kitchen remodel, or a home inspection correction. Caution: Always check with your primary employer’s policy and ensure you have proper insurance. In a tight-knit community like Pawtucket, your reputation is everything.