Skilled trades provide stable, well-paying jobs without the need to attend a four-year university, making them a great career choice for many people. Electricians are well paid and earn an income early in their training. Learn how to become an electrician, and get answers to some frequently asked questions to share with your students as they explore careers.
Plus, get a free printable poster on how to become an electrician to hang in your classroom, hallway, or guidance counselor’s office!
How to become an electrician FAQ
What is 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 runs safely and efficiently. Electrician job titles include:
Journeyman Electrician Residential Electrical Commercial Electrical 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 on construction sites, homes, and industrial facilities.
Why become an electrician?
Skilled trades jobs such as electricians are in high demand and offer good earning potential. Electricians earn between $45,000 to $75,000 (average about $62,000) per year or more, depending on job title and experience. They work in a variety of diverse practical environments, where every day brings new challenges.
This area offers a lot of potential growth opportunities as well. After gaining experience, electricians can become master electricians, take on supervisory roles, or open their own electrical contracting businesses. This provides you with the freedom to determine your own career path.
“It’s very rewarding to go home at the end of the day feeling accomplished because you saw the finished product after a hard day’s work,” says Jolene Brzezinski, an instructor at JATC Electrical in the Tampa area. “Being able to point to buildings around the city and say ‘I helped build that’ is a great feeling. My personal favorite is pointing out the monorail at the airport when I’m picking up visiting friends and family.
“Being an industrial/commercial electrician is also like living in an episode of How It’s Made,” she continues. I get to see behind the scenes of many different industries. I have seen the manufacture of water bottles, mattresses, asphalt and many other things; How water treatment plants work; Parks at night. Each job can be very different. I also know that my career offers great health care and retirement benefits, so I don’t have to worry about my future or my family’s future.
What skills are needed for an electrician?
Are you 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 requiring manual dexterity. Since electricians often work directly with customers, communication and time management skills are also essential.
“Students with high problem-solving skills achieve better results,” says 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 the hard work. Our job is great but it’s not easy. Also, if they want to get their flight level certification, they have to be willing to use Math. It’s finally the place where you get to use all the math you learned in high school.
Brzezinski also points out that girls and young women should not be afraid to explore becoming electricians. “Women often excel in professions,” she explains. “The main reason there aren’t more women in the trades is because most of them 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 It’s about working smarter, not harder. If you always use brute force, you’ll end up in pain in the end.
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, and you get paid 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)
Although not always required, spending a year or so in a trade or technical school program allows new electricians to learn basic information about electricity, circuits, safety, and more. The hours spent in these classes usually count toward your apprenticeship requirements. Some vocational training programs may cover the costs; In other cases, would-be electricians need to cover the costs themselves.
In many areas, high school students can attend career and technical education (CTE) programs as part of earning a high school diploma (a requirement for becoming an electrician). When they graduate, they will be ready to move directly into their vocational training programs. This method also saves students the costs of attending a trade or technical school.
Vocational training (on-the-job training)
An apprenticeship service makes up the bulk of a new electrician’s education and training. These programs usually last four or five years. Interns generally work full-time and receive a salary from the start. This salary increases throughout the apprenticeship as they learn more and gain advanced skills.
Search for apprenticeship opportunities at Apprenticeship USA or ElectricalSchool.org.
Licensing exam
To finish an apprenticeship, prospective candidates must pass their state’s licensing exam. These are generally administered by the state you live in, although national licensing programs are also available. Once you obtain your license, you will be considered a journeyman electrician. You are able to handle electrical jobs yourself, or you can start your own business!
Professional development opportunities
As with most jobs, journeyman electricians must stay up to date on new technologies and regulations through regular training and education. They may also choose to obtain a master’s or contractor’s license, allowing them to take on advanced tasks such as supervising apprentices or skilled workers, or designing electrical systems. These advanced skills also allow electricians to earn higher salaries.
