We rely on electricians to power our homes, but they also operate in office buildings, shopping malls, and manufacturing facilities. Although we may not give them much thought, they are essential to the efficient functioning of every facet of our life.
They’re trained experts who do important work that benefits us all. They keep the lights on, the fridge cold, the TV on, and the phones charged if they weren’t around.
Deciding on electrical work as your new career path? That’s a smart choice.
In 2019, electricians made a median annual salary of $56,180, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The demand for qualified electricians is predicted to increase by 10% over the next decade, and the highest earners in the field can expect salaries in the six figures.
Learn about the different kinds of electricians there are, what they do, and the time and money investment it takes to become one with the help of this helpful guide.
Contents
The Process
Let’s recap the journey to obtaining a journeyman electrician’s license, a path filled with dedication and two main routes.
- An entry-level option is to work as an assistant for an electrician. A helper’s job is mostly to perform menial duties such as digging trenches, retrieving tools and parts, and running general errands about the site. It’s a vital role, but there’s not much room for advancement, and you won’t gain much experience. However, you will be compensated, and more significantly, you will get experience that you can use to further your education or secure an apprenticeship as an electrician. The good news is that you may get started right away, and a job as an assistant can lead to an apprenticeship if you develop connections and show your employer you have potential.
- You can become an electrician’s helper if you enroll in and complete training at an electrician school. You can make more money and maybe even enter an apprentice program with a college diploma. The good news is that most organizations value degrees and certificates.
- Organizations like the IBEW, IEC, and ABC offer apprenticeships, skipping the formal education route. Be ready for an exam and several interviews. Put in your best effort. The perk? Once you start, you’ll learn on the job and earn a salary.
All of these paths lead to the same destination: an apprenticeship for aspiring electricians. So why not start out by signing up for an apprenticeship with the IBEW, IEC, or ABC?
The admissions test can be difficult, there is a limited number of spots available, and apprenticeships only become available once or twice a year.
However, if you have the option of doing an apprenticeship or working full-time, you should do it immediately. You’ll have financial success and won’t need to worry about mounting student loan debt. You might think about going to school if you are having trouble finding employment or an apprenticeship.
Different Apprenticeship
When it comes to deciding on a specialized apprenticeship program, there are four options to consider:
- Residential wireman
- Outside lineman
- Telecommunication tech
- Inside wireman
These internships last for varying amounts of time. It will take a minimum of three years for residential and installer technology to catch up. In order to become a fully qualified inside wireman, you should expect to spend about five years in an apprenticeship. In addition, the apprenticeship program for outside linemen takes 3.5 years to complete.
How Long Does It Take?
Obviously, that is dependent on the actual show. The duration of such programs ranges from a few months to almost a year and a half. Some programs may be designed to get you ready for residential work, which involves doing things like wiring homes and keeping the power on. On the other hand, certain courses may emphasize the importance of working in a business or factory.
Schools can be found in most vocational and technical training centers, and courses at the local community colleges are sometimes quite reasonably priced.
How Much Do Electrician Programs Typically Cost?
Electrician program costs vary with the curriculum. Tuition at community colleges ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 yearly—an excellent choice for affordability. Vocational colleges might charge more, between $5,000 and $15,000, reflecting their specialized training.
Even more expensive are private schools, which can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 per year. When choosing a school, it’s important to check sure they provide the courses you’re interested in, that they won’t break the bank, that you can transfer your credits if necessary, and that you’ll graduate with the certification or certificate you seek. Learn as much as you can about the subject.
As an additional consideration, remember that you will be expected to continue your education throughout your apprenticeship. These classes could be held in a neighborhood junior college, a labor center, or an IEC/ABC headquarters.
Electrician Training Is Time Well Spent.
Electrical certification opens doors across the United States. There is a high demand for electricians in every state, but the field is particularly competitive in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
The typical electrician salary is highest in Washington, DC, and the state of Illinois, outside of Hawaii; Lincoln Tech has campuses in each of these areas to assist you get trained and connected with hiring managers.
Embarking on an electrician career is exciting and rewarding, yet it demands dedication and patience. Various factors influence the
Conclusion
The demand for qualified electricians is predicted to increase by 10% over the next decade. In 2019, electricians made a median annual salary of $56,180, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. An entry-level option is to work as an assistant for an electrician. You can make more money and enter an apprentice program with a college diploma. An apprenticeship with the IBEW, IEC, or ABC is a good place to start if you’re looking for a job as an electrician.
Some programs may be designed to get you ready for residential work, while others emphasize the importance of working in a business or factory. There is a high demand for electricians in every state, but the field is particularly competitive in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The typical electrician salary is highest in Washington, DC, and the state of Illinois, outside of Hawaii. Lincoln Tech has campuses in each of these areas to assist you get trained and connected with hiring managers.
Content Summary:
- We rely on electricians to power our homes, but they also operate in office buildings, shopping malls, and manufacturing facilities.
- Although we may not give them much thought, they are essential to the efficient functioning of every facet of our life.
- They’re trained experts who do important work that benefits us all.
- They keep the lights on, the fridge cold, the TV on, and the phones charged if they weren’t around.
- If you’re considering a career change and have settled on electrical work, then you’ve made a good decision.
- In 2019, electricians made a median annual salary of $56,180, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- The demand for qualified electricians is predicted to increase by 10% over the next decade, and the highest earners in the field can expect salaries in the six figures.
- Learn about the different kinds of electricians there are, what they do, and the time and money investment it takes to become one with the help of this helpful guide.
- It’s important to reiterate the steps we’ve already taken to get here, which we’ve explained in a number of our previous postings.
- The end goal is to obtain a journeyman electrician’s license.
- That requires a lot of effort, and you can go one of two ways: An entry-level option is to work as an assistant for an electrician.
- A helper’s job is mostly to perform menial duties such as digging trenches, retrieving tools and parts, and running general errands about the site.
- It’s a vital role, but there’s not much room for advancement, and you won’t gain much experience.
- However, you will be compensated, and more significantly, you will get experience that you can use to further your education or secure an apprenticeship as an electrician.
- The good news is that you may get started right away, and a job as an assistant can lead to an apprenticeship if you develop connections and show your employer you have potential.
- You can become an electrician’s helper if you enroll in and complete training at an electrician school.
- You can make more money and maybe even enter an apprentice program with a college diploma.
- There will be an application process that includes an exam and multiple interviews.
- You’ll want to give it your all in both the test and the interviews.
- The good news is that although it will take some time to begin, once you do, you will “earn as you learn” and begin receiving a salary.
- All of these paths lead to the same destination: an apprenticeship for aspiring electricians.
- So why not start out by signing up for an apprenticeship with the IBEW, IEC, or ABC?
- The admissions test can be difficult, there is a limited number of spots available, and apprenticeships only become available once or twice a year.
- However, if you have the option of doing an apprenticeship or working full-time, you should do it immediately.
- You’ll have financial success and won’t need to worry about mounting student loan debt.
- You might think about going to school if you are having trouble finding employment or an apprenticeship.
- When it comes to deciding on a specialized apprenticeship program, there are four options to consider: Residential wireman Outside lineman Telecommunication tech Inside wireman These internships last for varying amounts of time.
- It will take a minimum of three years for residential and installer technology to catch up.
- In order to become a fully qualified inside wireman, you should expect to spend about five years in an apprenticeship.
- In addition, the apprenticeship program for outside linemen takes 3.5 years to complete.
- Obviously, that is dependent on the actual show.
- The duration of such programs ranges from a few months to almost a year and a half.
- Some programs may be designed to get you ready for residential work, which involves doing things like wiring homes and keeping the power on.
- On the other hand, certain courses may emphasize the importance of working in a business or factory.
- Schools can be found in most vocational and technical training centers, and courses at the local community colleges are sometimes quite reasonably priced.
- Obviously, the price tag for electrician schooling will change depending on the specifics of the curriculum.
- Even more expensive are private schools, which can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 per year.
- When choosing a school, it’s important to check sure they provide the courses you’re interested in, that they won’t break the bank, that you can transfer your credits if necessary, and that you’ll graduate with the certification or certificate you seek.
- Learn as much as you can about the subject.
- As an additional consideration, remember that you will be expected to continue your education throughout your apprenticeship.
- These classes could be held in a neighborhood junior college, a labor center, or an IEC/ABC headquarters.
- Electrician Training Is Time Well Spent.
- Electrical certification opens doors across the United States.
- There is a high demand for electricians in every state, but the field is particularly competitive in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
- The typical electrician salary is highest in Washington, DC, and the state of Illinois, outside of Hawaii; Lincoln Tech has campuses in each of these areas to assist you get trained and connected with hiring managers.
- Even though working as an electrician can be thrilling and fulfilling, building a successful career in the field takes time and effort.
- The time it requires to become an electrician is affected by a number of variables, but once you’ve made the commitment, you’ll be glad you made it.
