EV Installer Salary & Contract Rates

Licensed EV charging installers in North America earn an average salary of $62,000 to $85,000 per year, while independent contractors charge rates between $75 and $120 per hour. Earnings vary based on your location, union status, and certifications in high-voltage commercial installations.

How much does an EV installer make on average?

If you are looking to get into the electric vehicle sector, the pay is strong because the demand for skilled hands is growing fast. According to market data tracked by SpliceJobs, your yearly pay as an EV charger installer depends mostly on your license level and your experience with residential and commercial electrical systems.

An apprentice just starting out will make a lower hourly wage while learning the ropes. A fully licensed wireman or journeyman electrician who specializes in electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) can command a premium wage.

These figures do not include overtime, which is highly common in this field. Many commercial installers get plenty of time-and-a-half opportunities when retail spaces or parking garages need work done during off-hours.

What are the typical contract rates for independent EV installers?

If you run your own truck or work as an independent contractor, you do not look at a yearly salary. Instead, you look at your hourly rate and your project bid price.

For a basic residential Level 2 charger installation, independent contractors typically charge a flat labor rate between $500 and $1,500. This price depends on how far the electrical panel is from the garage or driveway.

When billing hourly for troubleshooting or commercial service calls, independent contractors generally use the following rate structures:

• Residential Service Calls: $75 to $120 per hour, plus a truck dispatch fee.

• Commercial EVSE Installation: $95 to $150 per hour, depending on the complexity of the concrete trenching and switchgear work.

• Emergency / After-Hours Rates: $150 to $220 per hour.

Our tracking at SpliceJobs reveals that successful contractors make their best margins on turn-key packages. This is where the contractor supplies the charger, the permits, the copper wire, and the labor in one single flat price.

How do North American locations impact your pay scale?

Where you live has a huge impact on your paycheck. States and provinces with high energy costs, strict green energy laws, and older housing stock usually pay the highest wages. This is because older homes require full electrical service panel upgrades before a Level 2 charger can even be installed.

What tools and technical skills do you need to earn top dollar?

To hit the high end of the salary range, you cannot just be a guy who pulls wire. You need to understand code requirements, load calculations, and specific safety rules.

A top-earning EV installer must be fast and safe with these trade-specific tools and tasks:

• Load Calculations: You must know how to calculate the existing load on a home panel to see if it can handle a continuous load of 40 to 50 amps.

• Conduit Bending: Running neat EMT or PVC conduit along garage walls using hand or power conduit benders is a must-have skill.

• Circuit Protection: Correctly sizing and installing double-pole GFCI breakers in the main breaker panel.

• Testing Equipment: Using a digital multimeter and loop impedance testers to check voltage drop and verify solid grounding.

• Torque Specs: Using a calibrated torque wrench to tighten terminal connections to the exact specifications listed by the manufacturer to prevent fires.

All work must strictly follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the United States or the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) in Canada. Understanding safety protocols like NFPA 70E is also critical when working around live electrical panels.

Do union EV installers make more than non-union installers?

The choice between working union or non-union is a big deal in the electrical trade. Both paths have clear benefits, but they handle pay and benefits differently.

Working with the Union (IBEW)

If you join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), your wage is set by a collective bargaining agreement.

• Set Pay Scales: You know exactly what you will make based on your hours of experience.

• Benefits: Healthcare, pension, and annuity plans are paid by the employer on top of your hourly wage.

• Prevailing Wage: Many state-funded EV infrastructure projects require prevailing wage, which matches union rates.

Working Non-Union (Open Shop)

Working for an open-shop contractor means your pay is based on your speed, your sales ability, and the local market.

• Performance Bonuses: Many residential non-union shops pay a base hourly rate plus a commission on every charger or panel upgrade you sell to the homeowner.

• Faster Advancement: If you work hard and learn fast, you do not have to wait for a set number of years to get a raise.

• Flexible Hours: Non-union shops often offer more flexible scheduling options.

How can you increase your income as an EV charging installer?

If you want to maximize your earnings in this trade, you need to specialize. The guys who make the most money are the ones who can handle complex commercial systems.

Here are the best ways to boost your income:

1. Get Certified: Take the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) course. Many federal and state projects now require at least one EVITP-certified electrician on-site to qualify for government funding.

2. Learn DC Fast Charging (Level 3): Residential Level 2 chargers run on 240-volt single-phase power. Commercial Level 3 fast chargers run on 480-volt or 600-volt three-phase power. These systems require advanced safety training and pay much higher rates.

3. Get Certified by Manufacturers: Brands like Tesla, ChargePoint, and Wallbox have their own preferred installer networks. Getting on these lists means steady leads sent directly to your business.

4. Add Service Panel Upgrades to Your Bids: Do not just install the charger. Learn how to sell and install a complete 200-amp or 400-amp service upgrade, which can easily triple the profit on a single job site.