Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2024
How to Become a Electrician (2024)
Electrical · 4-year apprenticeship · SOC 47-2111
Electricians earn a national median of $70,935 per 2024 BLS data, with the 90th percentile reaching $126,560 in Portland. The standard path is a 4-year registered apprenticeship — paid from day one, no four-year degree required.
What Does a Electrician Do?
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They read blueprints, test circuits, and ensure all work meets the National Electrical Code.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Install and maintain wiring, control, and lighting systems
- Read blueprints and technical diagrams
- Inspect electrical components (transformers, circuit breakers)
- Test electrical systems with ohmmeters, voltmeters, and oscilloscopes
- Troubleshoot malfunctions and repair or replace wiring and equipment
The Path: How to Become a Electrician
- 1
Finish high school or earn a GED
Most apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED. Strong math (especially algebra and geometry) and reading skills matter for trade exams and blueprint work. - 2
Find a registered apprenticeship
Search apprenticeship.gov for registered programs in your area. Programs are sponsored by unions, contractor associations, or individual employers. Application windows are usually annual. - 3
Complete the 4-year apprenticeship
Apprentices spend roughly 8000+ hours on the job paired with a journeyman, plus 144 classroom hours per year. Pay starts around $55,270 and steps up each year — see the timeline below. - 4
Pass the journeyman exam
Most states require a written + practical exam to earn the journeyman license. The exam covers code knowledge, safety, and practical work scenarios. Pass rates vary 50-80% on the first attempt. - 5
Earn certifications and (optionally) the master license
Layer on specialty certifications (State journeyman electrician license (required in most states)) to access higher-paying work. Most states offer a master license after 2-4 additional years of journeyman experience — required for independent contracting in many states. - 6
Climb to the top decile
Top earners ($126,560 in Portland) typically reach the 90th percentile through specialization, foreman/supervisor roles, union membership, or running a small contracting business.
Electrician Apprentice Pay Timeline
Hourly wage progression based on industry-standard apprenticeship pay schedules. Actual rates vary by local union or contractor agreement.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual (2,080 hr) | % of Journeyman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Apprentice | $40/hr | $83,200 | 118% |
| Year 2 | Apprentice 2 | $50/hr | $104,000 | 147% |
| Year 3 | Apprentice 3 | $65/hr | $135,200 | 191% |
| Year 4 | Pre-journeyman | $85/hr | $176,800 | 250% |
| Journeyman | Licensed | $34/hr | $70,935 | 100% |
| Master / Top 10% | Specialist / Foreman | $61/hr | $126,560 | 178% |
Required Certifications & Licenses
- ✓State journeyman electrician license (required in most states)
- ✓Master electrician license (optional, required for independent work)
- ✓OSHA 10/30-Hour Construction Safety
Skills You'll Need to Build
Work Environment
Electricians work indoors and outdoors at construction sites, homes, businesses, and factories. The work involves standing, climbing, bending, and kneeling. Risk of electrical shock, burns, and falls from ladders.
Job Outlook
Employment of electricians is projected to grow 6% from 2022-2032, about as fast as average. Demand driven by new construction, renewable energy installations, and EV charging infrastructure.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Electrician Pay by City
The highest-paying metros for electricians, with cost-of-living-adjusted pay so you can compare real take-home.
| City | Median | Top 10% | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | $102,070 | $126,560 | B |
| Seattle, WA | $101,600 | $139,230 | B |
| Chicago, IL | $99,540 | $120,770 | B |
| Minneapolis, MN | $95,090 | $115,410 | B |
| San Francisco, CA | $93,750 | $179,060 | C |
| Boston, MA | $83,450 | $128,660 | C |
| Detroit, MI | $80,330 | $102,850 | B |
| St. Louis, MO | $79,280 | $103,440 | B |
| Milwaukee, WI | $76,820 | $101,730 | B |
| New York, NY | $76,450 | $132,580 | C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Most electricians complete a 4-year registered apprenticeship — typically 8000+ hours of paid on-the-job training plus 144 classroom hours per year. After completing the apprenticeship and passing the journeyman exam, you can work independently. Master-level certification (where applicable) usually takes another 2-4 years of journeyman experience.
No. Electricians do not require a four-year college degree. The standard credential is a journeyman license earned through a paid apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor at https://www.apprenticeship.gov/. Some workers complete a 1- or 2-year certificate at a community or trade college before applying — but the journeyman license is what employers actually require.
Electrician apprentices typically start at $55,270 per year (10th percentile) and progress upward each year of the apprenticeship. By year 3, pay usually reaches the 50th percentile around $70,935. All training is paid — apprentices are W-2 employees of contractors or unions, not students paying tuition.
Common electrician certifications include: State journeyman electrician license (required in most states); Master electrician license (optional, required for independent work); OSHA 10/30-Hour Construction Safety. Most states also require a journeyman license; some have a separate master license for independent work.
Electricians earn a national median of $70,935 (Trade Pay Score grade B), wages have grown 11% over the past 5 years, and the BLS counts roughly 309,770 electrician jobs nationwide. The work is physically demanding and the apprenticeship is real, but the trade clears the bar for living-wage, debt-free career entry.
The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a searchable database of registered apprenticeship programs at https://www.apprenticeship.gov/. Local building trades councils, IBEW/UA/IUPAT/IBB union halls, and trade school career offices also place candidates directly. Most apprenticeships have one open application window per year — check listings early.
Wage figures from BLS OEWS 2024. Apprentice pay schedules from industry-standard registered programs. Career outlook from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2032 projections.