With the recent pickup in construction and housing, working as an electrician is as lucrative as it has ever been. Due to the dangerous consequences for those who try wiring without the professional knowledge, electricians command job stability and sizeable wages in most cities. Whether it is working with homeowners or large companies, an electrician can find work in most cities, but some do pay better than others. For those looking to move where the money is, consider a move to what have been named the highest paying cities for electricians by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in their Occupational Employment and Wages Study from May 2014.

San Francisco, California

Average Annual Wage: $86,670

Like the city’s growth, San Francisco has seen a consistent need for electricians within the metro area as well as outer cities like San Mateo and Redwood City. Since 2013, the average annual wage of electricians has even gone up right alongside its employment demand.

Anchorage, Alaska

Average Annual Wage: $78,350

Maybe it is because Alaska’s largest city continues to grow or maybe it is just because electricians don’t like the cold, but Anchorage has growing a demand in this field. Since 2013, electrician wages in Anchorage have skyrocketed. While the city doesn’t have the employment opportunities of large metro areas like New York City or Chicago, those who get a job can expect a large paycheck.

Oakland, California

Average Annual Wage: $76,300

While Oakland has more employment opportunities than both San Francisco and Anchorage combined, it is also somewhat of a gamble. In recent years, Oakland and the surrounding cities of Hayward and Fremont have seen the average annual wage of electricians drop at a steady rate.