Electrician in Salt Lake City, UT

The Salary Picture: Where Salt Lake City Stands

As a local who’s watched the Salt Lake Valley’s construction boom firsthand, the numbers for electricians look solid. The median salary sits at $60,885/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.27/hour. While that’s slightly below the national average of $61,550/year, the cost of living here (index of 96.4) makes your dollar go further than in most metro areas. The metro area has 628 electrician jobs, and the 10-year job growth projection is 11%—driven by relentless residential and commercial development.

Here’s how experience typically translates to pay in our local market:

Experience Level	Typical Salt Lake City Salary Range	Key Notes
Entry-Level / Apprentice	$40,000 - $52,000	Usually 0-2 years. Strong demand for apprentices in new construction.
Mid-Level / Journeyman	$55,000 - $72,000	3-8 years, licensed. This is where most SLC electricians land.
Senior / Foreman	$75,000 - $95,000	8+ years, often supervising crews. Common in large commercial projects.
Expert / Master	$95,000+	Often business owners or niche specialists (e.g., data centers).

To put this in a Utah context, Salt Lake City’s median is competitive. In Provo/Orem, salaries can be slightly lower due to a more residential-focused market. In St. George, where the retiree and resort construction is booming, you might see similar or slightly higher wages, but with fewer industrial opportunities. Salt Lake City offers the best balance of job variety and pay stability.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about your budget. On a $60,885/year median salary, your monthly take-home after federal taxes (assuming single filer, standard deduction, and including FICA) is roughly $3,750 to $3,850. This is an estimate; your actual take-home depends on benefits, 401(k) contributions, and state taxes (Utah has a flat 4.65% income tax).

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

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$5,074	Based on $60,885/year
Net Take-Home	$3,800	After taxes & deductions (estimate)
Rent (1BR Average)	$1,338	Can vary by neighborhood (see below)
Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Internet)	$250	SLC utilities are reasonable.
Car Payment & Insurance	$500	A necessity in most neighborhoods.
Groceries & Food	$450
Miscellaneous / Savings	$1,262	Covers healthcare, entertainment, savings.

Can you afford to buy a home? The median home price in the Salt Lake metro is around $425,000. On a $60,885 salary, that’s a stretch. Lenders typically suggest housing costs (PITI) be no more than 30% of your gross monthly income. For your salary, that’s about $1,520. A $425,000 home with 5% down would have a monthly mortgage payment (PITI) closer to $2,400+. This means buying on a single median income is challenging without a significant down payment or dual income. Renting is the more common and feasible path for early-career electricians here.

Where the Jobs Are: Salt Lake City's Major Employers

The local job market for electricians is robust and diversified. You’re not just limited to residential work. Here are the key players:

1. Mortenson Construction: A national giant with a major Salt Lake City office. They handle large-scale commercial projects like the new Intermountain Healthcare facilities and data centers. They hire electrical contractors and in-house electricians, often for long-term projects. Insider Tip: Getting on with a top-tier contractor like Mortenson can fast-track your experience and pay.

2. Swinerton Builders: Another major commercial constructor active in SLC’s downtown and University of Utah expansions. They’re frequently hiring journeymen for high-profile projects, including biotech labs and university buildings.

3. Intermountain Healthcare: While not a direct electrical contractor, Intermountain is one of the largest employers in the region and a huge source of work for electrical service firms. They have a constant need for electricians to maintain, upgrade, and expand their hospital network (including Primary Children’s Hospital and LDS Hospital). Specialty certifications in healthcare electrical systems are a huge plus here.

4. Rocky Mountain Power: Utah’s primary utility. They employ electricians for grid maintenance, substation work, and new service installations. These jobs are highly stable and come with excellent benefits, but they are competitive and often require utility-specific experience.

5. Local Electrical Contractors: The backbone of the market. Firms like Paul Davis, Allegiance Electric, and A-1 Electric handle everything from new home builds in Herriman to commercial tenant improvements downtown. They are the most common employers for journeymen and apprentices. Hiring tends to be steady, with a noticeable uptick in the spring and summer.

Hiring Trends: The biggest driver right now is the explosion in data center construction along the I-15 corridor and the expansion of the University of Utah’s research campus. These projects require high-voltage specialists and electricians with experience in complex control systems. Residential is still strong in the suburbs (South Jordan, Draper), but commercial/industrial is where the premium pay is.

Getting Licensed in Utah

Utah’s licensing is managed by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). Here’s the path:

• Apprentice: No license required, but you must register with the state. You’ll work under a licensed electrician while completing on-the-job training and classroom hours.
• Journeyman Electrician: Requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and 288 hours of classroom instruction (typically from an approved school like Utah Electrical Training Center). You must pass the state journeyman exam. The total cost (schooling, exam fees, licensing) is typically $1,500 - $2,500.
• Master Electrician: Requires 8,000 hours as a journeyman (typically 4 years) and passing the master electrician exam. This is the license that allows you to open your own electrical contracting business.

Timeline to Get Started: If you start as an apprentice today, you can realistically become a licensed journeyman in 4 years. The job market is hungry for apprentices, so finding a sponsor is the first and most critical step. The Utah Electrical Training Center in Salt Lake City is a key hub for the classroom portion.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Commute and lifestyle matter. Here’s a local’s breakdown of where electricians often live:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Est. 1BR Rent	Why It Works for an Electrician
Holladay/Millcreek	Mature, established suburbs east of downtown. 15-20 min commute.	$1,300 - $1,500	Close to many residential and commercial jobs. Good schools. Stable area.
West Valley City	Diverse, more affordable, west of the airport. 15-25 min commute.	$1,100 - $1,250	Lower rent. Proximity to major construction and warehouse districts.
South Salt Lake	Urban, gritty, and transforming. 5-15 min commute to downtown.	$1,200 - $1,400	Best for those who want city life. Quick access to downtown commercial jobs.
Kearns / Taylorsville	Classic middle-class suburbs. 20-30 min commute.	$1,050 - $1,200	Very affordable rent. Family-friendly. Good access to I-15 and I-215.
Sugar House	Trendy, walkable, near the University of Utah. 10-25 min commute.	$1,400 - $1,600	Popular with younger professionals. Higher rent, but great lifestyle.

Insider Tip: Consider where your union local is based (Local 354 in Salt Lake City). Living near your hall or training center can be a strategic advantage for networking and dispatch calls.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 11% growth outlook is realistic, but to maximize your earnings, you need to specialize. In Salt Lake City, here’s what pays a premium:

• Data Center & Mission-Critical Work: This is the hottest specialty. Electricians with experience in high-voltage distribution, UPS systems, and cooling systems can command $5-$10/hour more than general construction journeymen. Major employers like Switch and DataBank are building massive facilities here.
• Renewable Energy & Solar: Utah’s solar market has fluctuated but remains active, especially in new construction. Expertise in photovoltaic systems is valuable.
• Building Automation & Controls: As "smart buildings" proliferate on the University of Utah campus and in new commercial spaces, electricians who understand low-voltage controls and BAS (Building Automation Systems) are in high demand.
• Medical & Hospital Systems: Intermountain’s expansion means a need for electricians who understand healthcare codes, emergency power systems, and patient safety protocols.

10-Year Outlook: The fundamentals are strong. Continued population growth and the tech/biotech sector’s expansion will drive construction. However, the market is cyclical. A recession can slow new construction, but service and maintenance work (existing buildings, industrial plants) remains steady. Your best bet for long-term security is to get your master electrician’s license, possibly with a specialty, and consider union membership for benefits and wage protection.

The Verdict: Is Salt Lake City Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong Job Market: 628 jobs and 11% growth provide stability.	Competitive Housing: Rent is high relative to the median salary; buying is difficult.
Lower Cost of Living: Index of 96.4 means your paycheck goes further.	Rapid Development Pace: Can lead to high stress, tight deadlines, and traffic.
Diverse Work: From data centers to hospitals to residential.	Union vs. Non-Union Divide: The market is split; you need to choose your path.
Outdoor Access: Unbeatable access to mountains for hiking, skiing, and climbing.	Winter Inversions: Air quality can be poor for several weeks a year.
Central Location: Easy to explore the broader Rockies.	"Silicon Slopes" Pressure: The high-tech culture can make some feel out of place.

Final Recommendation: Salt Lake City is an excellent choice for electricians who are skilled, adaptable, and willing to specialize. If you’re early in your career, the path to a journeyman license is clear and the apprenticeship opportunities are plentiful. If you’re already experienced, the move to a specialty like data centers or medical systems can be financially rewarding. The caveat is housing: you’ll likely rent for the foreseeable future on a single median income. For the right candidate—someone who values a dynamic job market and an active outdoor lifestyle—it’s a top-tier destination.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a union card to get an electrical job in Salt Lake City?
A: No, it’s not required. The market is roughly 50/50 union and non-union. Union jobs (through Local 354) often have higher wage scales, better benefits, and structured training, but non-union contractors are plentiful and hire aggressively. It’s a personal choice based on your priorities.

Q: How does the cost of living here compare to other major cities?
A: Significantly better. While rents have risen, they are far below cities like Denver, Seattle, or Austin. The $1,338 average 1BR rent and overall cost of living index of 96.4 make it more affordable than many other tech and construction hubs, though it’s no longer the bargain it was a decade ago.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for electricians moving to SLC?
A: Two things: 1) The housing market. Be prepared for a competitive rental market and budget carefully. 2) The pace. The “Silicon Slopes” construction boom is intense. Projects move fast, and employers expect efficiency. It’s a rewarding but demanding environment.

Q: Is there a shortage of electricians?
A: There is a consistent demand, especially for licensed journeymen and specialists. The 11% growth rate suggests a healthy need. However, it’s not a crisis-level shortage; employers are selective and prefer candidates with clean driving records and reliability.

Q: What’s the first step if I’m serious about moving?
A: 1) Get your licensing paperwork in order. If you’re an apprentice, check with DOPL about reciprocity if moving from another state. 2) Start researching local contractors and unions. 3) Visit. Spend a week here in the winter to experience the inversion and in the summer to feel the heat. Salt Lake City has a distinct climate and culture that may not suit everyone.

Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (ONET), Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Utah Economic Data Viewer, U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI).*