You’d think Nashville would pay electricians just like any other Southern city. Not quite. Journeyman electricians here pull in a little more—thanks to big construction projects, steady population growth, and that downtown boom you can’t miss. We’re not talking about pennies either. Journeyman pay tends to beat the national average—especially if you’ve got experience and work for the right contractor.
But don’t just take someone’s word for it. The numbers speak for themselves. As of early 2025, most journeyman electricians in Nashville are earning between $29 and $35 an hour. That’s before overtime, bonuses, or per diem. If you’re working full time, you’re staring down an annual wage somewhere between $60K and $73K. Some crews offer time-and-a-half on nights and weekends, and union jobs can sweeten the deal.
- Average Journeyman Electrician Pay in Nashville
- Union vs Non-Union: Does It Make a Difference?
- Where to Find the Best-Paying Electrical Jobs
- Tips for Boosting Your Earning Potential
Average Journeyman Electrician Pay in Nashville
If you’re wondering what a journeyman electrician actually makes in Nashville, here’s the straight-up answer. Most Nashville shops are offering hourly rates between $29 and $35 as of June 2025. Entry-level folks at the journeyman level might see the lower end, but with even a few years of solid job history or a specialty (like commercial work), it’s common to hit the upper twenties or low thirties within your first year.
According to the Tennessee Department of Labor, the median annual wage for journeymen in the city right now falls near $65,000. If you hustle and grab overtime on big job sites, you can easily nudge past $75K a year. A few high-end contractors and specialty outfits (think hospitals, data centers, or major music venues) pay a premium—sometimes $38 an hour for top hands. That’s not the norm, but the opportunities are there.
Benefits aren’t bad either. Many companies offer health insurance, retirement match, and paid time off. And if you’re doing union work with organizations like IBEW Local 429, you’ll usually get better insurance and stronger retirement plans on top of your paycheck. Non-union isn’t far behind, but the benefits package can be thinner.
If you’re still in training, remember: you need your state license and usually your own basic tools to break in as a journeyman. Having up-to-date OSHA or specialty certifications (like arc flash safety) can help you stand out and earn more right out of the gate.
Union vs Non-Union: Does It Make a Difference?
When we’re talking electrician pay in Nashville, the question always pops up: Is the union route really worth it? The short answer—yeah, in most cases it is. Union journeyman electricians usually make more per hour, get better benefits, and have steadier work, especially on large commercial jobs popping up all over the city.
Let’s look at the real facts. Most union jobs in Nashville pay above $34 an hour in 2025, and they often include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Compare that to the non-union world, where pay sits closer to $28 to $32 for the same work, with way more variety in benefits (sometimes solid, sometimes bare-bones).
| Job Type | Average Hourly Pay (2025) | Common Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Union Journeyman | $34 - $38 | Health, pension, paid vacation |
| Non-Union Journeyman | $28 - $32 | Varies: some health/retirement, less vacation |
Unions like IBEW Local 429 are pretty active in Nashville, so if you want stability, or you’re just starting out and hoping for mentorship, this route can make your life way easier. You’re more likely to land jobs with the big contractors and almost always get overtime paid correctly. On the flip side, non-union gigs might let you pick up side work, work flexible hours, or negotiate your own pay rates. Some guys prefer that—especially if they’re hustling or have their own regular clients.
- If security, pension, and steady work top your list, the union makes sense.
- If you want flexibility or plan to open your own shop, non-union gives you more freedom, but you’ll have to hustle for your perks.
No surprise, the journeyman electrician pay gap here is about 15 to 20 percent, plus those all-important union insurance and retirement plans. The real answer depends on what you value most—bigger paychecks and stability or flex and freedom. Either way, Nashville’s busy, and skilled sparkies have plenty of work whichever path they pick.
Where to Find the Best-Paying Electrical Jobs
Some folks think every electrician gig pays the same. That’s not true in Nashville. To land the top wages, you’ve got to look in the right places. Most of the highest-paying jobs right now are tied to big construction projects—think hospitals, data centers, and those new high-rise apartments popping up around Midtown and downtown. Electricians working on these sites often pull extra hours and grab overtime, especially as deadlines get close.
Union shops are a hot spot, too. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 429 covers the Nashville area and usually offers solid pay, benefits, and steadier work than non-union gigs. They often post openings on their website and sometimes on job boards like Indeed or ZipRecruiter. If healthcare is your jam, check out Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s ongoing expansion or new hospital builds in the area—they often outsource to electrical contractors that pay above standard rates.
Here’s a quick look at where journeyman electricians are getting the most cash in town:
| Workplace/Project | Typical Hourly Pay (2025) |
|---|---|
| Downtown High-Rise Construction | $34 - $37 |
| Data Centers | $35 - $39 |
| Healthcare Buildouts (Hospitals) | $33 - $38 |
| Union Shop Jobs (IBEW 429) | $35 - $40 |
| Large Commercial Projects (Retail/Office) | $32 - $36 |
If your goal is to score higher-than-average pay, do these things:
- Keep an eye on union job postings—apply early, as spots fill up fast.
- Network with contractors who work on commercial high-rises or major buildouts.
- Don’t be shy about overtime—bigger projects often rely on extra hands, especially at the finish line.
- Consider getting extra certifications (like OSHA 30) to stand out. Some sites pay a premium for safety training.
Bottom line: Go where the big projects and union contracts are. That’s how a journeyman electrician in Nashville jumps up the pay ladder fast.
Tips for Boosting Your Earning Potential
Want to make the most as a journeyman electrician in Nashville? You’ve got plenty of options. It’s not all about clocking extra hours; some moves will actually put you ahead in the paycheck game.
- Get extra certifications: Contractors in Nashville love hiring folks with skills beyond basics. Picking up credentials like OSHA-30, NICET, or an HVAC license makes you more valuable, and sometimes it’s the ticket to higher pay gigs.
- Specialize: Whether it’s wiring commercial sites, troubleshooting high-voltage systems, or getting good with smart home tech, specialists often command bigger hourly rates. A lot of Nashville’s high rises and hotels want someone who knows more than outlets and ceiling fans.
- Union membership: Union jobs are still strong in Nashville, offering better base rates, benefits, and more regular raises. IBEW Local 429 covers a lot of ground here—joining can mean higher pay and steadier work.
- Look for overtime and per diem: Fast-growing cities like Nashville mean jobs don’t always end at 40 hours. Some contractors pay time-and-a-half, and big out-of-town projects may offer a daily per diem for meals and housing.
- Build a network: The best paying gigs don’t always get posted online. Other electricians, supply house reps, or even an old boss can tip you off to openings where you’ll earn more cash.
If you keep learning and make connections, you’ll find Nashville has plenty of room to grow your paycheck fast—even if you’re just getting started.