Trade Career Guide
How to Become an Electrician
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures in homes, businesses, and factories, working to the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Median salary
$62,350
per year · BLS May 2024
Typical range
$39,430–$106,030
~10th–90th percentile
Job outlook
+9%
2024–2034 · Much faster than average
Time to qualify
About 4–5 years through an apprenticeship
Step-by-step: becoming an Electrician
- 1
Be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED.
- 2
Enroll in an apprenticeship (a union JATC or a non-union program) or an accredited trade school.
- 3
Complete roughly 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction on the NEC.
- 4
Pass your state or local Journeyman Electrician licensing exam.
- 5
Apply for your journeyman license and start working independently.
- 6
Advance to a Master Electrician license with additional experience and a second exam.
Typical entry path: Apprenticeship (4–5 years); high school diploma or equivalent; license required in most states.
Ready to pass the Journeyman Electrician exam?
The licensing exam is the gate to this career. Practice free on VoltExam with real exam-style questions and instant explanations — no signup to start.
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Salary and job-outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Electricians, SOC 47-2111; OEWS wages May 2024; Occupational Outlook Handbook projections 2024–2034). National medians; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. Verify current figures at bls.gov.