Side Income for Electricians: 5 Licensed Ways to Earn More

A license and a truck full of tools open more doors than one more Saturday of overtime — here's where electricians are actually finding extra work.

Electricians have a real advantage in the side-income conversation: licensed trade work is hard to automate and pays well by the hour. The question is which niche fits your schedule and doesn't just turn into unpaid moonlighting for your employer's competitors. Here are five options with real numbers attached.

Which option fits best depends on whether you'd rather do more of your regular trade work solo (small jobs, smart-home installs) or move into a specialized certification like EV charger installation that pays more per job but takes upfront investment to get into.

Where the real money is

1 Take small jobs through home-services apps

Thumbtack and Angi connect licensed electricians with homeowners for outlet installs, fixture swaps, and panel upgrades, often $75-150/hr for licensed work. The catch: platforms charge lead fees, and unlicensed handyman competitors on the same apps can undercut you on price for the simplest jobs. Getting started: create a Thumbtack or Angi pro profile listing your license number and specific services, since verified licensing tends to convert better than a generic listing.

2 Get EVITP-certified for EV charger installs

The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) certifies electricians for a fast-growing niche — installing Level 2 home chargers, often $300-800+ per install. The catch: certification and the right local permits take time and money upfront, and permitting rules vary a lot by city and county. Getting started: look up EVITP-approved training providers in your state and check local permitting requirements before advertising EV charger installs.

3 Do smart-home installations

Video doorbells, smart panels, and whole-home wiring installs through networks like Puls or Angi's pro network typically pay $60-100/hr. The catch: this segment moves fast with new products, so you're investing ongoing time just to stay current on what you're installing. Getting started: join a local Puls or Angi pro network and complete their onboarding checks before taking your first smart-home job.

4 Subcontract for residential solar installers

Solar companies often subcontract out panel and inverter wiring, paid per job or hourly. The catch: solar demand is sensitive to interest rates and incentive changes, so this work isn't guaranteed to be steady from year to year. Getting started: reach out directly to residential solar installers in your area about subcontracting electrical work during their busy season.

5 Add electrical-focused home inspections

Partnering with home inspectors to offer an electrical-specific pre-purchase inspection is a per-inspection fee add-on. The catch: building referral relationships with inspectors and real estate agents takes time before it becomes a reliable stream. Getting started: introduce yourself to a couple of local home inspectors and offer a discounted first electrical inspection to build the relationship.

How much should you realistically expect?

An electrician taking on 4-8 hours a week of side jobs through Thumbtack or Angi can realistically add $300-800/week depending on job mix and local rates. EV charger and solar subcontracting pay well per job but are less predictable month to month, especially as incentive programs shift. As with any of these, treat the first few weeks as a trial run to see how the extra hours actually feel before committing to a regular weekly schedule.

Questions worth answering before you start

Do I need separate liability insurance for side jobs?
In most cases yes — your employer's insurance typically only covers work performed for them, so confirm you have your own liability coverage before taking on independent jobs.

Will my employer have an issue with me doing side electrical work?
Some employers have policies against moonlighting for direct competitors or using company vehicles/tools for outside jobs, so it's worth checking your employee handbook first.

Is EV charger certification worth the upfront cost?
It depends on demand in your area — check local EV adoption rates and existing competition before investing in EVITP training, since the certification pays off fastest in markets with growing EV ownership.

Can apprentices do any of this?
Most of these options assume a full journeyman or master license; apprentices should check their state's specific scope-of-work rules, since working independently before full licensure is restricted in most states.

The bottom line

For a few extra hours a week, small jobs through Thumbtack or Angi are the most immediate way to add income using skills you already have. EV charger certification is a bigger, more deliberate bet worth making once you've confirmed real local demand.

If you work alongside other trades, these guides cover similar licensed side work. See Side Income for Plumbers: 5 Ways to Book More Jobs on Your Own Time and Side Income for Truck Drivers: 5 Ways Your CDL and Truck Can Earn More.

Income figures above are general ranges reported by workers and industry sources at the time of writing, not guarantees — actual pay depends on your market, experience, and platform terms, which change over time. Always confirm current licensing, certification, and platform requirements before starting any of these.