How to get started becoming an electrician?

• Earn a high school or GED diploma. Subjects that offer skill sets for electricians include algebra, physics, English, and shop drawing classes.
• Consider attending a vocational, technical, or trade school.
• Apply for an apprenticeship.
• Complete the apprenticeship.
• Get licensed or certified.

Can you imagine what life would be like without electricity? Even though it has only been readily available for about 100 years, we now use electricity for everything — lighting, household appliances, computers, and heating and cooling. And electricians are the ones who keep our lights on.

Electricians install and maintain electrical wiring, read blueprints and wiring diagrams, inspect electrical systems, and troubleshoot electrical problems. They must also familiarize themselves with the state and local regulations that apply to their work and adhere to those regulations.

If you've ever thought about becoming an electrician, now is a great time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for electricians is strong. The BLS projects a 9% growth in job opportunities for electricians between 2020 and 2030, which is twice as fast as the average growth across all occupations.

Read on to find out how to become an electrician, including electrician training requirements and information about licensing. Find out how long it takes to become an electrician and learn what electrician training looks like.

Unlike many careers, the path to becoming an electrician does not necessarily start with a college degree. To become an electrician, requirements include an optional training program, a 4-5 year apprenticeship program, and in most cases, state licensing.

According to the BLS, electricians reported a median annual income of $56,900 in May 2020. The lowest 10% reported earning less than $33,810 and the highest 10% reported income of more than $98,720. Electricians work full time and often work some evenings and weekends.

As of 2020, 65% of electricians worked as electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors. The BLS also reports that 9% of electricians are self-employed. After meeting additional requirements and working as a qualified electrician, electricians may find opportunities to become a master electrician and/or take on supervisory roles.

Electrician training at an electrician trade school can be conducted online or in person. For example, Ashworth College offers an online program that consists of 14 lessons and takes four months to complete. Most of the schools that offer electrician training are community colleges.

The actual classes you take vary from one school to another and one program to another.

For example, City Colleges of Chicago offers a basic certificate, advanced certificate, and associate degree in electrical construction technology. The basic certificate requires only 19 credit hours. Required courses include electric circuitry, construction technology, conduit bending, print reading, and technical math.

The advanced certificate requires 35.5 credits. The curriculum includes all of the courses required for the basic certificate as well as advanced conduit bending, print reading, and technical math, and courses in motor control systems and low voltage systems.

The associate in science degree from City Colleges of Chicago requires 65.5 credits, including some general education classes. Additional core courses include HVAC systems, electrical power systems, and photovoltaic systems.

Because these three programs build on each other, you could start with the basic certificate and go back for more schooling as you have the time and money to do so.

Regardless of which school you choose, you will likely have to take courses on blueprint reading, residential wiring, electric motors, and AC circuitry. You may also need some math classes. If you enroll in an associate degree program, you will take general education courses, as well.

Certificate programs at electrician trade schools usually take anywhere from four months to one year. If you choose to attend an associate program at a community college, the degree will take about two years to complete.

After you complete your training, you'll need to complete a 3-5 year apprenticeship program. If you attended trade school, you may earn credit toward your apprenticeship. In that case, your apprenticeship may be slightly shorter.

If these possibilities spark your curiosity about the electrical field, you might find yourself wondering: how do I become an electrician?

However, becoming a licensed electrician is not just about getting the electrician license. Understanding what to expect and how to prepare for it to help pave the way toward your success. Here we will walk you through the steps you need to take to become an electrician.

Step 1: High school diploma or GEDStep 2: Receive formal education from an electrician program or be an electrical apprenticeStep 3: Obtain the electrician licenseStep 4: Start the career

Before you can begin your education and training as an electrician, you’ll need to earn a high school diploma or an equivalent.

Most electrician trade schools and apprenticeships require a minimum of a high school education. Aside from that, however, the daily work of an electrician demands many of the skills you can learn in high school.

In general, the knowledge you might need includes mathematics, some basic understanding of scientific concepts, and the ability to design projects and use skilled tools. One of the most important skills in the electrical industry is being able to comprehend technical documents such as instruction manuals, blueprints, and training materials. That means advanced reading, writing, and comprehension skills are a must for this position.

You can earn a head start by taking relevant courses if you're currently in high school. These include:

If you never earned your high school diploma, don’t worry—you can still make meaningful steps towards becoming an electrician.

Before you can begin formal training as an electrician, however, you will need to earn a General Education Diploma, or GED.

A GED certificate allows you to prove that you have a high school level of education. To receive your GED certificate, you must take an exam that tests your knowledge. If you need help preparing, many local schools, community colleges, libraries, and even online programs offer GED courses that can get you up to speed.

Do you have to start training as an electrician right after high school?

Because you can become an electrician trainee as soon as you turn 18, many people can start their careers right out of high school. On the other hand, if you’re looking to make a career change later in life, you still have plenty of possibilities as an electrician.

Take it from Marten Messerly, an electrician with Ohio-based Claypool Electric, who started his electrical career after three decades in another field.

“I always thought that it was something that you had to do right out of high school,” Messerly said, speaking to US News. “Now, I just finished my fourth year of apprenticeship training, and with a few more [on-the-job training] hours, I will be a state-certified journeyman electrician."

Messerly demonstrates that you can jump into this promising career path with success no matter where you are in your life.

Before you can begin working as an electrician, you’ll also need to complete some formal education requirements. Most states require you to earn 8,000 hours of on-the-job training before becoming licensed. Some also require a certain number of classroom hours.

In terms of how you meet these requirements, however, you have several options:

In most cases, you will need to complete an electrical apprenticeship program regardless of obtaining additional education. This is where you’ll shadow a journeyman or master electrician and earn most of your practical on-the-job experience. However, there are advantages to seeking more electrical education before you start as an apprentice electrician.

Attending a trade or vocational school or earning an associate’s degree can provide valuable advanced knowledge in multiple areas, including:

In addition, one of these electrician programs can often help you find apprenticeships and guide you through becoming licensed and starting your career.

How long does it take to become an electrician?

The length of time you might need to complete your education as an electrician depends on your chosen path. The number of years you need to complete those 8,000 hours may also vary. In general, here’s how long you can expect your training to take:

It may seem like going straight to an electrical apprenticeship program will take you the least amount of time, but that isn’t always true. Depending on the state where you’re seeking your license, you may be able to count as many as 1000 classroom hours toward your on-the-job experience. Some states even allow you to count an additional 1,000 hours for each year of school you attend.

The unique opportunities of an electrician’s education

An electrician’s training and education comes with several bonuses. One is the possibility of paid on-the-job training. Before committing to becoming an electrician, it’s important to understand how much electrical contractors make. The other is the opportunity to experience a diverse range of hands-on professional experiences.

Raul Santa Ana, an electrician apprentice with Minnesota-based business Javens Electric, spoke to the benefits of his apprenticeship in an interview with the Minnesota Electrical Association.

“I just can’t express how enjoyable the job is. The benefits are great, the pay is fantastic,” he said. “It’s just something that always keeps you thinking. You’re always on the move, it’s never the same thing.”

Once you have completed your education requirements and earned your hours, the next step is to become a licensed electrician. This usually entails taking an exam on topics you’ve learned during your apprenticeship and any classroom training, such as:

Once you pass the exam, you may also need to complete continuing education courses to renew your license each year. These courses help you to build and maintain your knowledge and stay updated on any new electrical technology and changes to the electrical code.

Some states also offer multiple levels of licensing for aspiring electricians. When you’re first starting out, for example, you may seek licensure as a journeyman electrician. After you obtain several years of work experience, you may have the option of obtaining a higher-level master electrician license. This advanced certification can lead to even more opportunities and supervisory roles.

After earning your license, you’re ready to begin your career as a full-time electrician. Some electrical workers opt to continue working for the company where they completed their apprenticeship. Others may find electrician job connections through their trade school or decide to become an independent electrical contractor.

However, one thing is clear: the growth opportunities don’t end when you get your license.

In an interview with Job Talks, electrician Virginia spoke about the career path and its possibilities for growth. “The misconception is that you stop when you get your license, but truthfully that’s just the first stage,” she said. “After that, that’s when the doors really open up. You get five years experience under your belt, you pick where you want to go.”

Once you’ve gained some work experience as a licensed electrician, you may wish to seek out leadership positions within your company. These positions may include:

However, if a supervisory role doesn’t suit your personality, don’t worry—there are plenty of other ways to continue growing as an electrician.

Finding your niche as an electrician

Aside from any leadership opportunities, you may also wish to obtain additional certifications and specialize within a certain field area. These can include positions such as:

These are just a few of the possibilities. According to John Williamson, a chief electrical inspector in the state of Minnesota, the opportunities only grow as your career progresses:

The electrical industry is very diverse. Master electricians with 15–20 years of experience under their belt are great candidates for electrical inspector positions, or as teachers, project managers, estimators, quality control engineers, consultants, sales, and numerous other job opportunities in the wider electrical industry.

Down the line, you may even want to start your own electrical business, supervising whole teams of electricians and training your own apprentices.

Once you’ve established yourself as an electrician, the opportunities can be endless. You may be an independent electrical contractor, or starting your own small business is a natural next step. Once you’ve started a business, nothing is holding you back from endless success. Learn about marketing tips for electricians that can help advance your electrical career. Whether you set out as an independent contractor or start an electrical empire of your own, however, one thing is for certain. You’ll need a way to communicate with the neighborhood around you.

A Nextdoor Business Page makes it easy to connect with your community, share your services, and help your business grow. It also allows you to engage with nearby customers and businesses who need your expertise the most.

When it’s time to take your electrician career to the next level, stay connected with Nextdoor.

Many prospective electricians start out on this career path by attending vocational schools or even, in some cases, traditional colleges.

While a bachelor's degree is not required to be an electrician, one in a related major, such as electrical engineering, could help someone advance fast in the field and give them access to higher-paying electrician opportunities.

Many electricians work as independent contractors, while others have full-time jobs for specific companies.

Here are some helpful certifications to consider if you want to advance on the electrician career path:

When an electrician gets hired by a company, they typically must go through on-the-job training. On-the-job electrician training consists of hands-on electrician experience under the guidance and supervision of a professional electrician or multiple professional electricians.

A great entry-level option for a prospective electrician is to get an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are valuable opportunities because they give you a chance to be mentored by professional electricians and get paid while doing it.

Electricians who complete apprenticeships rarely have difficulty finding well-paid electrician work. Many times electricians at apprenticeships choose to stay on with the company they did the apprenticeship with, as well.

Here are some common electrician jobs:

An apprentice electrician is an electrician that is learning on the job from a single veteran electrician or a team of experienced electricians.

The average salary of an apprentice electrician in the United States is $38,799 per year.

An electrician is a professional that handles electrical issues. Electricians handle malfunctioning and broken electrical equipment. They also can install electrical equipment. They provide services to a wide variety of companies and people with electrical needs.

They may perform work on a person's residence, a corporate office, a school, or industrial facilities, for instance. They have a primary focus on safety and functionality concerning electrical equipment.

The national average wage for an electrician is $25.97 per hour.

An electrical inspector examines the electrical systems of a home, building, or other structure to ensure effective functionality and also to check if they meet electrical codes and standards.

Some of the systems they inspect include new and pre-existing sound and security systems, lighting, wiring, certain kinds of motors, photovoltaic systems, and generators. They also examine electrical wiring for HVAC and HVACR systems and appliances.

Being an electrician isn’t just a job, it’s a solid career path. Electrical contractors enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities and earn a respectable income. There’s also job security—customers will always need skilled trade professionals to install and service electrical systems in their homes and businesses.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 711,200 electricians nationwide and 39,760 work in New York. The national number is predicted to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, adding more than 50,00 to the ranks natinwide.

That growth rate is expected to be a whole lot higher in New York — projected at 27%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.

Many contractors nationwide are trying to find skilled tradesmen. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2022 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 93% of firms in the U.S. and 100% of firms in New York had unfilled hourly craft positions like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. So, if you get the training you need you will have a lot of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.

The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience.

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Is a state license required to be an electrician in New York? It depends.

In the state of New York, electrical licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, as there are no statewide regulations for electricians. Some municipalities issue licenses through local licensing boards.

In New York City, for example, electrical licenses are issued by the Department of Buildings, which is at 280 Broadway, 6th floor, New York, N.Y., 10007. In some parts of the state, like rural upstate New York, no license is required to perform electrical work.

GAIN THE NECESSARY EXPERIENCE: Some New York municipalities follow licensing procedures generally established to become a journeyman electrician, master electrician, or electrical contractor. Other municipalities, however, also set their own regulations. Check with your local licensing board for specific requirements.

In Rochester, for example, a single-phase electrician must work a minimum of 3,000 hours in the electrical trade, or two years in electrical wiring, while a master electrician must work 6,000 hours, or four years of experience in electrical wiring.

In Syracuse, master electricians need 10 years of experience, while limited electricians are required to have five years of experience.

In New York City, potential electricians must meet certain criteria, including being at least 21 years old, before they become eligible to take either the master electrician or special electrician licensing exams. You can find the criteria outlined on the Department of Buildings website, but some (not all) examples include:

APPLY FOR LICENSURE WITHIN YOUR JURISDICTION: Once you fulfill the necessary requirements within your jurisdiction, you can submit an electrical license application. In New York City, you must also complete a background investigation check to qualify as a licensed professional. The background investigation costs $500 and requires several forms of documentation including, but not limited to:

In most cities, electrician licenses are issued for one year. Some municipalities, including New York City, require eight hours of continuing education before you can renew your license each year.

OBTAIN A MASTER ELECTRICIAN OR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE: Many master electricians and electrical contractors own and operate their own businesses. Independent electrical contractors in New York City must adhere to specific insurance guidelines. For example, contractors must maintain workers’ compensation insurance and disability insurance, as well as project insurance, and $1 million in general liability insurance.

Some cities in the state of New York issue traditional licenses, such as journeyman electrician and master electrician. Other municipalities, like the city of Syracuse, issue limited electrician licenses. The city of Albany issues Class A electrician licenses. Some cities also regulate residential electricians.

New York City mandates some of the strictest electrician licensing requirements in the U.S. The New York City Department of Buildings website offers a special online tool licensees can use to learn specific requirements for their business. Generally speaking, however, NYC issues two types of electrical licenses:

There are many benefits to pursuing a New York electrician license:

The annual mean wage for electricians in New York is $81,700 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary, as you might expect, increases as you acquire more experience, according to Indeed.com.

Salary ranges can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.

Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.

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Tuition at many community colleges in the state of New York costs about $5,000 per year, plus books and supplies. Technical colleges can be more expensive and range in price from $8,000 to $18,000 per year, depending on the school, location, and desired course of study.

License holders must also be prepared to pay the fees associated with licensure exams and applications. These costs vary by municipality.

How long it takes to obtain an electrician license in the state of New York varies, depending on the municipality. In some cities, potential electricians can earn the equivalent of a journeyman license in about four years. Other cities, such as New York City, have more strict guidelines and require a minimum of 7.5 years of experience before you can apply for licensure.

There are many community colleges, trade schools, technical and vocational schools to get the training you need to become an electrical professional in New York. They are located all over the state, including in bigger cities and smaller communities.

Some electrical schools in the state of New York:

Program Prerequisites: Program prerequisites vary. Most programs, however, require you to be 18 years old, possess a high-school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and a passing algebra grade.

On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you'll gain an understanding of electrical standards, as well as math and scientific principles. Electricians need keen eyesight and good hand-eye coordination, as well as proper time management skills. They also need to have good customer service skills, be able to work independently, have good physical endurance, and use logical problem-solving techniques. Electricians also learn how to read blueprints, circuit diagrams, and other technical documents.

In the state of New York, testing details vary by municipality. Many exams are based on material from the National Electrical Code (NEC) and general electrical safety protocols.

In NYC, for instance, applicants must pass a written exam and a practical exam before obtaining an electrical license. The application fee for the written exam is $525. The application fee for the practical exam is $350.

The written exam includes multiple-choice questions based on the New York City Electrical Code, as well as the National Electrical Code (NEC). No reference materials are allowed during testing. A passing score on the written exam is at least 70%. Once you pass the written exam, you may schedule the practical exam. Results from the practical exam will be mailed to you within three or four weeks of taking the test.

In the state of New York, electrical licensing requirements vary. Some municipalities issue their own licenses through local electrical boards. In New York City, for example, electrical licenses are issued by the Department of Buildings. In some parts of the state, however, a license isn’t required to perform electrical work.

No. New York does not have reciprocity agreements with other states. However, you may check within your local jurisdiction to see if any waiver exams might be available.

While optional, national certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency in certain aspects of the electrical trade to potential employers and clients, which often translates into more job opportunities and higher pay.

These include the Independent Electrical Contractors Certified Professional Electrician (CPE) distinction, certification through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), among dozens of additional electrician certifications available.