WASHINGTON (October 21, 2026) — EY today released Economic Contribution of the Electric Power Industry in the United States, 2025, a report prepared for the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) that details the industry's significant contribution to the U.S. economy.
The report finds that the electric power industry supported 6.9 million jobs, or approximately 1 in every 32 U.S. jobs, along with $647 billion in wages and benefits and $1.4 trillion in U.S. gross domestic product in 2025.
Alongside the report, EEI launched new state fact sheets that show the jobs and economic activity supported by the industry in each state. Visitors can select their state to see the industry's local contributions to employment, wages and benefits, and GDP.
“Electricity represents about 5 percent of the U.S. economy, but it powers the other 95 percent,” said President and CEO of EEI Drew Maloney. “If the grid isn't working, America isn't working. This report shows how our industry supports jobs, strengthens local economies, and powers communities across the country.”
The report also highlighted how the industry is:
- Investing in America's energy grid: The electric power industry invested $256 billion in generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure in 2025 to make the grid smarter and more reliable.
- Strengthening the grid for the future: Capital investment supported 2.4 million jobs, $207 billion in wages and benefits, and $348 billion in GDP. These investments included building and upgrading power plants and power lines, adding battery storage, and protecting the grid against severe weather and other risks.
- Creating pathways to good jobs: Electric power industry workers without a four-year degree earned a median wage 123 percent higher than U.S. workers with the same level of education. The average electric company employee earned approximately $184,000 in wages and benefits, compared to a U.S. average of $95,000.
- Supporting local communities: The industry supported more than $90 billion in state and local tax revenue, with property taxes accounting for the largest share.
EY's analysis measures the economic activity supported by electric company operations, capital investments, suppliers, workforce spending, and payments to debt and equity investors. It does not measure the broader economic activity that reliable electricity makes possible for American households and businesses.
Read the full report and explore EEI's state fact sheets to learn more.