Electrical · FF-013
U.S. Electrical Workforce & Power Demand
Explore the electrician workforce, related power-system occupations, current pay, and the record electricity demand reshaping electrical infrastructure across the United States.
Interactive comparison
Electrical workforce
Switch between employment, pay, power generation, and sector demand growth.
Skilled electrical workforce
Electricians are one of the largest construction trades
BLS counted electricians among the largest construction and extraction occupations in May 2025, alongside construction laborers, supervisors, and carpenters.
Power-system occupations
Electrical infrastructure supports several high-skill occupations
| Occupation | Employment | Mean hourly | Mean annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | 757,220 | $34.37 | $71,490 |
| Electrical power-line installers & repairers | 131,070 | $44.22 | $91,970 |
| Electrical/electronic engineering technologists & technicians | 95,130 | $38.79 | $80,680 |
| Commercial & industrial electrical/electronics repairers | 65,010 | $36.33 | $75,570 |
| Powerhouse, substation & relay repairers | 20,720 | $48.44 | $100,760 |
Power demand
U.S. electricity generation reached a record in 2025
EIA reports that utility-scale net generation reached about 4.43 trillion kilowatthours in 2025, up 2.8% from the previous record in 2024. Recent demand growth contrasts with the relatively flat generation trend seen from the mid-2000s into the early 2020s.
Where demand grew
Residential, commercial, and industrial electricity sales all increased
| Sector | 2025 sales growth | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | +2.9% | Includes data centers and other commercial loads |
| Residential | +2.2% | Household electricity demand |
| Industrial | +0.7% | Manufacturing and other industrial loads |
EIA expects generation to continue growing in 2026 and 2027 as electricity demand rises.
Generation mix
The grid is supplied by a diverse mix of technologies
Generation shares describe electricity produced, not installed capacity. Small-scale solar is reported separately by EIA and is not included in the utility-scale shares shown here.
Methodology & sources
About these figures
This page keeps occupational statistics and power-system statistics separate. Employment and wage figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program for May 2025. Generation, generation mix, and sector-demand growth are from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for calendar year 2025.
Workforce source: BLS May 2025 OEWS · Power source: EIA 2025 generation analysis · Generation mix: EIA Electricity in the U.S..
CalculateMeasure refresh: Aug. 22, 2026 · Review cadence: Annual, with BLS OEWS and EIA annual electricity releases; review sooner for material source revisions.
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