How to become an Electrician
There are two main paths to qualifying as an electrician: you can begin as an apprentice and learn from qualified electricians on the job or you can attend a trade school and learn in the classroom. Some electricians will do both by starting at a trade school and then completing their training through an apprenticeship. Your state will require you to complete a set number of hours of practical work before you're eligible to sit the journeyman electrician test. Once you pass that, you can work as an electrician and, once you have developed your skills with more work experience, you will be eligible to take the master electrician test, which is the highest level of qualification for electricians.
What skills help Electricians find jobs?
- Analysis skills
- Automotive diagnostics
- Basic math
- CMMS
- Commercial construction
- Communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Computer skills
- Construction
- Customer service
- Electrical experience
- Electrical systems
Career progression for Electrician
Education levels for Electricians
| required level of education | percent of job openings |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or GED | 77.7% |
| Associate's degree | 14.4% |
| Bachelor's degree | 6.4% |
| Master's degree | 1.1% |
| Middle school education | 0.5% |
Expected salary by experience
| Years of experience | Annual salary in USD |
|---|---|
| 0 - 4 | $35,200 |
| 4 - 8 | $38,100 |
| 8 - 12 | $42,000 |
| 12 - 16 | $44,300 |
| 16 - 20 | $46,100 |
| 20 - 24 | $48,400 |
Common qualifications for Electricians
Explore popular schools to earn these qualifications
Common questions about career advices for an Electrician
What other skills do you need to be an electrician?
Many electricians work in public places, dealing with customers directly, so customer service skills are important. Electricians will often be required to explain what they are doing to their customers and clients, so good communication skills will also be helpful.
