Skilled trades offer well-paying, stable jobs without the need to attend a four-year college, making them a good career choice for many people. Electricians make good wages, earning a salary early in their training. Learn how to become an electrician, and find answers to frequently asked questions that you can share with your students during the job search.
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 FAQ
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 make sure everything is running safely and efficiently. Electrical work topics 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 problems, and ensuring compliance with local building codes. They often work in construction sites, homes and factories.
Why become an electrician?
Skilled trades such as electricians are in high demand, and offer good income opportunities. Electricians make $45,000 to $75,000 (average $62,000) a year or more, depending on their job title and experience. They start working in different places, in different places, each day brings new challenges.
This sector also offers many potential growth opportunities. After gaining experience, electricians can become electricians, hold supervisory roles, or open their own electrical contracting businesses. This gives you the freedom to decide your career path.
“It’s very rewarding to go home at the end of the day with a sense of accomplishment because you’ve seen the finished product of a hard day’s work,” said Jolene Brzezinski, instructor at Tampa Area Electrician JATC. “Being able to point to buildings around town and say ‘I helped build that’ is a great feeling. My favorite is to point the train at the airport when visiting friends and family.”
He continues, “Being an industrial/commercial electrician is also like sitting on a ‘How To’ episode. I get to see behind-the-scenes of many different industries. I have seen the making of water bottles, mattresses, asphalt, and many other things; how water treatment facilities work; theme parks at night. Every job can be very different. I also know that my job offers me good health and retirement benefits, so I don’t have to worry about my future or that of my family.”
What skills are needed for an electrician?
Wondering if this job is right for you? Good electricians enjoy solving problems and have excellent attention to detail and logical thinking. They must be safety conscious and work well under pressure, often in situations that require manual dexterity. Since electricians often work directly with customers, communication and time management skills are also necessary.
“Students with high problem-solving skills do better,” said Brzezinski. “An answer or solution is always there; you just have to find it. So patience is a great quality to have. Willingness to do hard work. Our work is good but it is not easy. And, if they’re going to get their travel-level certification, they need to be prepared to use math. It’s finally a place where you use all that math you learned in high school.”
Brzezinski also notes that girls and young women should not be afraid to explore becoming an electrician. “Women tend to do well in business,” she explains. “The main reason why there are not many women who trade is because most of them do not know that it is an option. The industry is so diverse that we need all different shapes and sizes of people with different opinions. Anyone can find a niche in the field of electronics. Even the body parts speak more about working smart than hard. If you keep forcing it, you will end up in pain.”
Do electricians need a degree?
Most electricians complete a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by specialized training or an apprenticeship program. Electricians must pass a state licensing exam, and certification may be required in certain areas, such as working with high voltage systems.
How long does it take to become an electrician?
On average, it takes five to six years to become a licensed electrician. But most (or all) of that time is usually 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 (If desired)
Although not always necessary, spending a year or more in a trade or technical school program allows new electricians to learn the basics about electricity, circuitry, safety, and more. The hours spent in these classes usually count toward work-study requirements. Some apprenticeship programs may cover costs; in some cases, prospective electricians are required to cover the costs themselves.
In many states, high school students can attend career and technical education (CTE) programs as part of earning their high school diploma (a requirement to become an electrician). When they graduate, they will be ready to jump into their apprenticeship programs. This method also saves students the cost of going to a trade or technical school.
Apprenticeship (On-the-job training)
Apprenticeships make up a large part of an electrician’s education and training. These programs usually last four or five years. Students usually work full-time, earning a salary from the start. This salary increases over the course of their education as they learn more and acquire advanced skills.
Find apprenticeship opportunities at Apprenticeship USA or at ElectricalSchool.org.
License Examination
To complete training, prospective cadets must pass their state’s licensing exam. These are usually regulated by the state you live in, although national licensing programs are available. Once you get your license, you are considered a journeyman electrician. You can do electrical work yourself, or you can start your own business!
Professional Development Opportunities
Like most jobs, electricians must stay on top of new technologies and regulations through regular training and education. They may also choose to obtain their own principal or contractor license, which allows them to perform advanced tasks such as supervising apprentices or walkers, or designing electrical systems. These advanced skills also allow electricians to command high salaries.
Don’t forget to grab your free printable poster.
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