Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2024
How to Become a Industrial Electrician (2024)
Electrical · 4-year apprenticeship · SOC 49-2094
Industrial Electricians earn a national median of $69,958 per 2024 BLS data, with the 90th percentile reaching $114,550 in Seattle. The standard path is a 4-year registered apprenticeship — paid from day one, no four-year degree required.
What Does a Industrial Electrician Do?
Industrial electricians install and maintain electrical systems in factories, plants, and industrial facilities. They work with higher voltages and more complex systems than residential electricians.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Install and maintain industrial electrical systems
- Program and troubleshoot PLCs and motor controls
- Maintain power distribution systems
- Read industrial schematics and ladder diagrams
- Perform preventive maintenance on electrical equipment
The Path: How to Become a Industrial 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 $77,550 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) 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 ($114,550 in Seattle) typically reach the 90th percentile through specialization, foreman/supervisor roles, union membership, or running a small contracting business.
Industrial 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 | $42/hr | $87,360 | 124% |
| Year 2 | Apprentice 2 | $55/hr | $114,400 | 162% |
| Year 3 | Apprentice 3 | $70/hr | $145,600 | 206% |
| Year 4 | Pre-journeyman | $87/hr | $180,960 | 256% |
| Journeyman | Licensed | $34/hr | $69,958 | 100% |
| Master / Top 10% | Specialist / Foreman | $55/hr | $114,550 | 164% |
Required Certifications & Licenses
- ✓State journeyman electrician license
- ✓Industrial electrical certification
- ✓PLC programming certifications
- ✓Arc flash safety training
Skills You'll Need to Build
Work Environment
Work in factories, manufacturing plants, and industrial facilities. Exposure to higher voltages, noisy environments, and rotating machinery. Shift work common.
Job Outlook
Strong demand as manufacturing facilities modernize with automation. Industrial electricians with PLC and robotics skills command premium wages.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Industrial Electrician Pay by City
The highest-paying metros for industrial electricians, with cost-of-living-adjusted pay so you can compare real take-home.
| City | Median | Top 10% | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $106,960 | $114,550 | B |
| Portland, OR | $94,090 | $148,130 | B |
| San Francisco, CA | $92,150 | $139,970 | C |
| New York, NY | $91,450 | $103,440 | C |
| Houston, TX | $83,360 | $116,270 | B |
| New Orleans, LA | $79,890 | $117,140 | B |
| Minneapolis, MN | $79,640 | $91,400 | B |
| Boston, MA | $79,020 | $107,500 | C |
| Philadelphia, PA | $76,060 | $103,150 | B |
| Denver, CO | $75,680 | $104,560 | C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Most industrial 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. Industrial 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.
Industrial Electrician apprentices typically start at $77,550 per year (10th percentile) and progress upward each year of the apprenticeship. By year 3, pay usually reaches the 50th percentile around $69,958. All training is paid — apprentices are W-2 employees of contractors or unions, not students paying tuition.
Common industrial electrician certifications include: State journeyman electrician license; Industrial electrical certification; PLC programming certifications; Arc flash safety training. Most states also require a journeyman license; some have a separate master license for independent work.
Industrial Electricians earn a national median of $69,958 (Trade Pay Score grade B), wages have grown 11% over the past 5 years, and the BLS counts roughly 21,950 industrial 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.