How to Become an Electrician

Electricians create and maintain electrical systems that power homes and businesses. Becoming an electrician involves attending a trade program or completing an apprenticeship following high school. After an apprenticeship, electricians become journeymen and then masters. With experience, electricians may become managers or open their businesses.

Did you know electrician employment will grow by about 7% from 2021 to 2031? Becoming an electrician is an excellent option if you want a job with high wages and long-term job security.?

Not only are electricians in high demand, but many work opportunities exist since most buildings run on electricity. Job prospects are available whether you want to work in homes or businesses, indoors or outdoors.?

To begin working as an electrician, you need to complete specific steps. Anyone interested in this field must learn how to become an electrician before they can start doing electrical work.?

What Does an Electrician Do?

An electrician is a trade professional that handles issues related to electrical energy. They install, maintain and repair electrical devices and equipment.?

Common work tasks for electricians are:

• Connecting or disconnecting the electricity supply.
• Wiring electrical equipment.?
• Installing or removing electrical equipment.
• Repairing electrical devices.?
• Manufacturing or constructing electrical equipment.?

Electricians may perform more specific functions on the job depending on their work category or type. Electrician work categories include:

• Residential.
• Commercial.
• Marine.
• Industrial.
• Linespeople.
• Wirepeople.?

An electrician works at different levels, including apprentice, journeyman and master. Additionally, an experienced electrician may eventually choose to own an electrician business or manage electrician teams.?

Steps to Becoming an Electrician

Becoming an electrician is a quick process for some professionals, but it depends on prior experience, license status and skill. Here are the most critical steps to follow for someone that wants to become an electrician.?

1. Obtain a High School Diploma or GED

Electricians must have a high school diploma or pass the General Education Development (GED) test to begin working as an electrician apprentice. For most students, it takes four years to complete this requirement.?

2. Apply for a Trade School or Apprenticeship?

Attending a trade school can take between six months and two years. While this is?not a requirement in all states, these vocational programs offer insight and exposure to things electricians need to learn, such as electrical theory, electrical construction and workplace safety. As a result, any electrician that wants to start their career with a solid foundation of knowledge will want to complete a trade program.?

An apprenticeship is an opportunity to be both a student and a professional who eventually develops skills to work independently. This long-term training program allows a new electrician to shadow and gain on-the-job experience from a master electrician. An electrician can typically?find apprenticeships through a union or non-union.?

In some states, a license is part of the requirements for an apprenticeship. Always check the laws in your state before applying to these positions.?

3. Earn All Necessary Training Hours

After beginning work as an apprentice electrician, they will need to complete a specific number of on-the-job training hours. This number will depend on your location.?

Most commonly, the first step past apprenticeship is to become a journeyman. This may take about four years (around 80,000 to 100,000 hours) for full-time electricians.?

Becoming a master electrician takes more time (about 4,000 hours as a journeyman), and the specific requirements vary by state. However, for most electricians working full-time, this would take about six years.?

4. Pass Electrician Licensing Exam?

Many states require a licensing exam that tests electrical and safety knowledge for licensure. Every state has its laws, but prospective electricians need to determine when people can take the exam, how to register and how much it costs.

Usually, you’ll need to take the licensure exam after completing the required apprenticeship hours, but you may need one before beginning the apprenticeship. Research these requirements to reach the next level of your career.

Some people may take licensing exams multiple times if the state requires them at each level. Additionally, you may need to renew your license(s) to maintain worker status. There might also be local or state licenses for different work areas, so always?verify the laws in your state?to ensure you operate with the correct licenses.?

5. Find Employment?

After licensure, electricians can start applying for positions. The electrician position depends on your experience level, licensure type and on-the-job hours. Searching sites like LinkedIn can make finding open positions easier for new or experienced electricians.?

How Much Does it Cost to Become an Electrician??

The main costs to become an electrician come from training programs. These costs vary based on the trade school and program type, but the average cost for U.S. electrician trade program tuition and fees is $13,363. Students will also need more money for books and necessary supplies.?

However, electricians who go directly into an apprenticeship program should not have to pay anything to become an electrician since they are entering the workforce immediately.?

What Skills Do Electricians Need??

Electricians perform many different tasks daily, so they need many soft and hard skills. A few essential skills for any successful electrician to have include:

• Communication.
• Manual dexterity.
• Problem-solving.
• Customer service.
• Basic math.
• Technical ability.
• Time management.
• Honesty.
• Patience.?

Career Progression for an Electrician?

The common levels for career progression in the electrician field are:

• Apprentice.
• Journeyman.
• Master.
• Manager or supervisor.

Here is additional information regarding these various levels and how they differ.?

Journeyman

Past apprenticeship, a journeyman is the most basic electrician level. At this stage, an electrician has their license and works independently. Although they may not offer apprenticeship training, they could lead site jobs or request permits for electrical work.?

Master

With the right experience, a journeyman can become a master electrician. Requirements for this vary by state, but professionals typically must pass a particular licensing exam to obtain this title. Master electricians may offer training to apprentices.?

Manager

An electrical manager will oversee a team of electricians and lead the group on various projects. This job requires extensive experience and project management skills. Additionally, interpersonal communication skills are essential for an electrician that wants to go this route with their career since they will oversee major plans and groups of electricians.?

Electrician Average Salary

The average salary for electricians in May 2021 was $63,310. Almost all electricians work in their roles full-time, and electricians often work outside of standard business hours. Additionally, electricians can make more money as they complete higher levels of experience and licensure, so salary levels relate more to experience and tenure in the field than anything else in most cases.?

Final Thoughts on Becoming an Electrician?

Electricians play a vital role in their communities by providing energy to homes and businesses. The?demand for skilled electrical workers continues to grow?as we face a shortage of electricians. While this job is demanding and sometimes dangerous, it offers many opportunities for advancement.?

Anyone interested in becoming an electrician should research the requirements in their state and consider the type of electrical work that aligns with their interests, goals and career expectations best.?

Top Takeaways

How to become an electrician

• Electricians design, install, maintain and repair electrical systems and equipment.
• To become an electrician, one must complete a high school diploma (or GED) and an apprenticeship.?
• The three standard levels of the electrician field include apprentice, journeyman and master.
• Electrical work is an important, in-demand industry and trade.?

(Reporting by NPD)