Electric Power Distribution — Average Employee Salary

The average employee in the electric power distribution industry earns $127,687 per year ($61.39/hour), according to Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW data.

$127,687
Avg Annual Pay
223,707
Total Employees
6,440
Total Establishments
35
Avg Employees/Business

What Do Electric Power Distribution Workers Earn?

At $127,687/year (equivalent to $61.39/hour for a full-time worker), electric power distribution wages are significantly above the national average of ~$65,000.

Higher wages in this industry typically reflect specialized skills, professional certifications, or technical expertise required for the work. Employers competing for talent in this space face elevated labor costs.

The typical electric power distribution business employs 35 people. These are larger operations where staffing represents a major cost center and management complexity.

Wages as a Percentage of Revenue

2.6%

For the average electric power distribution business generating $172.3M/year with 35 employees at $127,687 each, total payroll represents roughly 2.6% of revenue. Labor costs are relatively low compared to revenue — other costs (materials, equipment, overhead) dominate.

What This Means for Business Owners

If you're starting or running a electric power distributionbusiness, here's what the wage data means for your bottom line:

  • Per-employee cost: Budget approximately $165,993/year per employee (salary + ~30% for benefits, taxes, and insurance).
  • Typical team size: 35 employees = ~$4,469,045/year in base payroll.
  • Hourly equivalent: $61.39/hour base — factor this into pricing and project estimates.
  • Revenue needed: With average revenue of $172.3M/business, you need strong utilization rates to maintain healthy margins after payroll.

See how these wages compare to total revenue and profit margins.

View full Electric Power Distribution revenue benchmarks →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electric power distribution employees make?
The average electric power distribution employee earns $127,687 per year, which is equivalent to $61.39/hour for a full-time worker (2,080 hours/year). This is above the national average of approximately $65,000.
How many people work in the electric power distribution industry?
The electric power distribution industry employs 223,707 workers across 6,440 establishments in the United States. The average business in this industry has approximately 35 employees.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW 2023).