What Low Voltage Integrators & Technicians Are Really Earning in 2025

"Am I being paid what I'm worth?"

That's one of the most common questions we hear inside the Low Voltage Nation community.

And with over 150,000 members, we've seen every answer under the sun — from $18/hour entry-level security installers to $50/hour+ foremen running massive datacenter jobs.

This guide pulls together national data, live job board listings, and community insights so you can see what integrators are really paying in 2025 — and where the opportunities are to level up.

National Salary Benchmarks

If you look across major job boards, the story is pretty consistent:

Low Voltage Technicians (All Levels)

ZipRecruiter (September 2025):

Average: $24.45/hour (~$50,850/year)
Range: $14.90 - $37.26/hour
Typical Range: $19.95 (25th percentile) → $27.16 (75th percentile)

Indeed (July 2025):

Average: $26.31/hour (~$54,700/year)

Salary.com (July 2025):

Average: $31/hour (~$64,608/year)
Range: $50,837 (10th percentile) → $76,799 (90th percentile)
Typical Range: $57,400 (25th percentile) → $70,989 (75th percentile)

Glassdoor (August 2025):

Average: $58,378/year (~$28/hour)
Range: $48,896 (25th percentile) → $70,274 (75th percentile)

Low Voltage Estimators (Project Quoting/Bidding)

ZipRecruiter (May 2025):

Average: $71,261/year (~$34/hour)
Range: $35,000 - $101,000/year
Typical Range: $60,000 (25th percentile) → $83,000 (75th percentile)
Top Earners: $95,000+ (90th percentile)

Low Voltage Project Managers

Salary.com (July 2025): $117,652/year average (~$57/hour), Range: $104,940 - $131,667/year
PayScale (2025): $60,000/year average
ZipRecruiter (July 2025): $59.38/hour average (~$123,510/year)

👉 Translation: Baseline field techs land in the $50–65K range, while specialized roles (estimators, PMs, integrators) climb well into the $70–120K+ band.

Role-Specific Insights

Different jobs, different paychecks:

Field Technician

Entry Level: $15-20/hour
Experienced: $25-35/hour
Common Range: $20–30/hour in most U.S. markets

Foreman / Lead Technician

Range: $35–47/hour in high-demand metros
Leadership Premium: +$10-15/hour over standard tech rates

Specialized Certifications Impact

Certifications often push compensation +$5–15/hour:

NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies)
BICSI (Building Industry Consulting Service International)
Brand Certifications: Lenel, Axis, Bosch, Milestone, Genetec
OSHA Safety Certifications
Fiber Optic Certifications: FOA, ETA

Regional Variance

Pay is highly dependent on where you work:

West Coast Metros (CA, WA, OR)

Experienced Techs: $35–50/hour
Strong union presence & high cost-of-living adjustments
Project Managers: $136,214/year average (NYC metro area)

Midwest (OH, IN, MI)

Typical Range: $22–30/hour
Strong growth potential with lower cost of living
Good entry point for career development

Southeast (FL, TN, GA)

Field Roles: $20–27/hour
Project Managers: $107,416/year average (Florida)
Room for advancement via certifications

2025 Salary Quick Reference

Role	Entry Level	Experienced	Top Performers
Field Technician	$15-20/hr	$25-35/hr	$40-50/hr
Lead/Foreman	$25-30/hr	$35-45/hr	$50-60/hr
Estimator	$50-60K	$65-80K	$90-100K+
Project Manager	$70-85K	$90-120K	$130-150K+

Geographic Multipliers:

West Coast: +25-40% above national average
Major Metros: +15-25% above national average
Midwest/South: National average or -10-15%
Rural Areas: -15-25% below national average

🏆 Certification Bonus: +$3-8/hour for relevant credentials

Quick Win Formula: Get certified + specialize + know your market = maximize earning potential

What Drives Pay Higher (or Lower)

⬆️ Higher Pay Factors:

Specialization Areas:

Fiber optic splicing and testing
Access control and security systems
Datacenter structured cabling
Fire alarm and life safety systems
Audio/visual integration
Building automation systems

⬇️ Lower Pay Factors:

Residential-only experience
Basic alarm installation only
No certifications or training
Rural or low-demand markets
Small company with limited growth

Career Progression Path

Entry Level (0-2 years)

Role: Installer, Helper

Pay: $15-22/hour

Focus: Learning basics, safety, tool usage

Experienced Technician (2-5 years)

Role: Lead Tech, Specialist

Pay: $22-32/hour

Focus: Certifications, specialization

Senior/Foreman (5-10 years)

Role: Project Lead, Foreman

Pay: $32-47/hour

Focus: Leadership, project management

Management/Estimating (10+ years)

Role: PM, Estimator, Operations

Pay: $70-120K+ salary

Focus: Business development, strategic planning

Why This Data Matters

Knowing what others are making helps you:

✅ Negotiate pay with confidence using market data
✅ Choose specialization areas (fiber vs. fire vs. access control)
✅ Plan geographic moves for better opportunities
✅ Map your career progression (tech → foreman → PM → estimator)
✅ Identify certification ROI for skill investment
✅ Benchmark against industry standards

Get Real-Time Job Data

We keep hearing: "Where do I actually find the jobs?"

That's why we built the Low Voltage Nation Job Board → a curated list of integrator and contractor jobs across the U.S.

👉 Browse Current Jobs on the LVN Job Board

Quick Action Items

🎯 Immediate Steps:

Benchmark your current pay against regional averages
Identify 1-2 certification targets for next 6 months
Research companies in your target pay range
Update your resume with current market language

📈 6-Month Goals:

Complete a relevant certification program
Document your project experience with specific technologies
Network within the LVN community for opportunities
Apply to 3-5 positions to test market value

Data compiled from ZipRecruiter, Indeed, Salary.com, Glassdoor, PayScale, and Low Voltage Nation community reports. Salary ranges reflect September 2025 market conditions and may vary based on specific circumstances, company size, and regional factors.