Skilled trades offer well-paid, stable jobs without needing to attend a four-year college, making them a terrific career choice for many people. Electricians make good salaries, earning an income early on in their training. Learn how to become an electrician, and get answers to some commonly asked questions to share with your students during career exploration.
Plus, get a free printable poster about becoming an electrician to hang in your classroom, hallway, or guidance counselor’s office!
How To Become an Electrician FAQs
What is an electrician?
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They work on wiring, electrical equipment, and power distribution systems to ensure everything operates safely and efficiently. Electrician job titles include:
- Journeyman Electrician
- Residential Electrician
- Commercial Electrician
- Industrial Electrician
On a typical day, electricians may spend their time Installing or repairing electrical systems, reading blueprints, troubleshooting electrical issues, and ensuring compliance with local building codes. They often work on construction sites, homes, and industrial facilities.
Why become an electrician?
Skilled trades jobs like electricians are in high demand, and they offer good earning potential. Electricians make $45,000 to $75,000 (average around $62,000) a year or more, depending on their job title and experience. They get to work in a variety of hands-on, diverse environments, with each day bringing new challenges.
This field offers lots of potential growth opportunities too. After gaining experience, electricians can become master electricians, take on supervisory roles, or open their own electrical contracting businesses. This offers the freedom to determine your own career path.
“It is so rewarding to go home at the end of the day with a feeling of accomplishment because you saw the finished product of a hard day’s work,” says Jolene Brzezinski, an instructor at the Tampa Area Electrician JATC. “Being able to point to buildings around town and say ‘I helped build that’ is a great feeling. My personal favorite is pointing to the monorail at the airport when I pick up visiting friends and family.”
She continues, “Being an industrial/commercial electrician is also like living in an episode of ‘How It’s Made.’ I get to see the behind-the-scenes of so many different industries. I’ve seen the manufacturing of water bottles, mattresses, asphalt, and so many other things; how water treatment plants work; theme parks at night. Every job can be so different. I also know that my career offers great healthcare and retirement benefits, so I don’t have to worry about my or my family’s future.”
What are the necessary skills for an electrician?
Wondering if this job is right for you? Good electricians enjoy problem-solving and have excellent attention to detail and logical reasoning. They must be safety-conscious and work well under pressure, often in situations requiring manual dexterity. Since electricians often work directly with customers, communication and time management skills are also a must.
“Students with high problem-solving skills do best,” shares Brzezinski. “The answer or solution is always there; you just have to find it. So perseverance is also a great quality to have. The willingness to do hard work. Our job is awesome but it’s not easy. Also, if they are going for their journey-level certification, they need to be prepared to use math. It’s finally a place where you use all that math you learn in high school.”
Brzezinski also notes that girls and young women shouldn’t be afraid to explore becoming an electrician. “Women often excel at trades,” she explains. “The main reason there aren’t more women in trades is because most don’t know it’s an option. The field is so diverse that we need all different types and sizes of people with different perspectives. Anyone can find a niche in the electrical field. Even the physical parts are more about working smarter rather than harder. If you always brute-force it, you’re going to end up in pain eventually.”
Do electricians need a degree?
Most electricians complete a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by special training or an apprenticeship program. Electricians must pass a state licensing exam, and certification may also be required in specific areas, such as working with high-voltage systems.
How long does it take to become an electrician?
On average, it takes about five to six years to become a licensed electrician. But much (or all) of that time is generally spent as an apprentice electrician, earning a salary as you learn. Take a closer look at the process of becoming an electrician below.
How To Become an Electrician: An Overview of the Process
Trade or Technical School (Optional)
Though it’s not always required, spending a year or so in a trade or technical school program allows new electricians to learn basic information about electricity, circuitry, safety, and more. The hours spent in these classes usually count toward apprenticeship requirements. Some apprenticeship programs may cover the costs; in other cases, prospective electricians need to cover the costs themselves.
In many districts, high school students can attend career and technical education (CTE) programs as part of earning their high school diploma (a requirement for becoming an electrician). When they graduate, they’ll be ready to jump right into their apprenticeship programs. This method also saves students the costs of attending a trade or technical school.
Apprenticeship (On-the-Job Training)
Serving an apprenticeship makes up the bulk of a new electrician’s education and training. These programs usually last four or five years. Apprentices generally work full-time, earning a salary right from the start. This salary increases throughout their apprenticeship as they learn more and gain advanced skills.
Find apprenticeship opportunities at Apprenticeship USA or ElectricalSchool.org.
Licensing Exam
To end an apprenticeship, prospective candidates must pass their state’s licensing exam. These are generally administered by the state in which you live, although national licensing programs are also available. Once you earn your license, you’re considered a journeyman electrician. You’re able to take on electrical jobs on your own, or you can start your own business!
Professional Development Opportunities
As with most jobs, journeyman electricians must stay on top of new technologies and regulations through regular training and education. They may also choose to earn their master or contractor license, allowing them to take on advanced tasks like supervising apprentices or journeymen, or designing electrical systems. These advanced skills also allow electricians to command higher salaries.
Don’t forget to grab your free printable How To Become an Electrician poster!
