Skilled Trades & Construction career

Electrician

Also called: Journeyman Electrician · Electrical Apprentice · Wireman · Commercial Electrician

What electricians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does an electrician do?

Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical power, lighting, communications and control systems in homes, businesses and industrial facilities, following the National Electrical Code and strict safety practices. The median pay is $63,190 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship), and employment is projected to grow +9.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $63,190
    $30.38/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +9.2%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    72,700
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    821,000
    Employment, 2025

What electricians do

Electricians read blueprints, run conduit and cable, install panels, breakers, outlets, lighting and controls, and troubleshoot problems with meters and testers. Residential electricians focus on homes; commercial and industrial electricians work on larger systems such as three-phase power, motors and building automation.

Most electricians learn through a four- to five-year paid apprenticeship that combines thousands of hours of on-the-job training with classroom instruction, then pass a state or local licensing exam. Demand is strong because of retirements, new construction, EV chargers, solar and data centers.

Typical duties

  • Read blueprints, schematics and electrical plans
  • Install conduit, wiring, panels, breakers, receptacles and fixtures
  • Inspect and test electrical systems with meters and testers
  • Troubleshoot and repair faults in circuits, motors and controls
  • Follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes
  • Apply lockout/tagout and electrical safety practices
  • Coordinate with contractors, inspectors and customers

Work environment and schedule

Electricians work indoors and outdoors at construction sites, homes, businesses and factories. The work can involve ladders, lifts, crawlspaces and attics, and exposure to electrical shock, arc flash and falls, so safety training and PPE are essential.

Schedule: Usually full-time, often with early starts. Overtime is common during busy construction periods; service electricians may take on-call shifts for emergencies.

A day in the life

  1. Toolbox talk with the crew about arc-flash boundaries, then review today’s plans for a new office tenant buildout.
  2. Bend and install EMT conduit runs from the panel to new office circuits.
  3. Pull wire through the conduit and label each circuit.
  4. Lock out and verify a panel is de-energized before adding breakers.

See a full day in the life of an electrician →

Electrician salary

Half of electricians earned more than $63,190 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $42,640 for the lowest 10% to $108,510 for the top 10%.

Full electrician pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an electrician

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED
  2. Apply to an apprenticeship
  3. Complete on-the-job and classroom hours
  4. Pass the journeyman exam
  5. Specialize or go master

A high school diploma or GED is required for most apprenticeships. Apprentices complete roughly 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction over four to five years, then take a licensing exam. Some start with a pre-apprenticeship or technical school program.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an electrician →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Reading blueprints and schematics
  • NEC code knowledge
  • Conduit bending
  • Wiring and terminations
  • Electrical testing and troubleshooting

People skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Teamwork with other trades
  • Customer communication

All electrician skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Earn while you learn through paid apprenticeships
  • Strong pay: top electricians earn six figures
  • High demand from construction, EVs, solar and data centers
  • Path to owning your own contracting business

Cons

  • Serious hazards: shock, arc flash and falls
  • Physically demanding work in tight or uncomfortable spaces
  • Four to five years to reach journeyworker status
  • Construction work can be seasonal or cyclical

Certifications and licenses

  • Journeyman electrician license: Issued by most states or localities after completing apprenticeship hours and passing an exam based on the NEC.
  • Master electrician license: Advanced license required in many areas to pull permits and run a contracting business.
  • OSHA 10 / OSHA 30: Construction safety training often required by employers and job sites.
  • NFPA 70E training: Electrical safety in the workplace, including arc-flash protection.

Career path

  1. Electrical Apprentice: Learn on the job under licensed electricians.
  2. Journeyman Electrician: Work independently on installations and repairs.
  3. Foreman or Specialist: Lead crews or specialize in controls, solar or high voltage.
  4. Master Electrician or Contractor: Pull permits, design systems and run a business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Electrician training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as verify a circuit is de-energized (live-dead-live) and bend a 90-degree stub-up in EMT conduit, safety and how to land your first job.

View Electrician trainingIs this career right for me?

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Electrician FAQ

How long does it take to become an electrician?

Most apprenticeships take four to five years, combining about 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, followed by a journeyman licensing exam.

Do electricians need a license?

Most states require a license to work as an electrician. Requirements and reciprocity vary, so check your state’s licensing board.

Is being an electrician dangerous?

It involves real hazards such as shock, arc flash and falls, but proper training, lockout/tagout and PPE greatly reduce risk.

How much does an electrician make?

The median annual wage for electricians was $63,190 ($30.38 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $42,640 and the highest 10% earned more than $108,510.

How long does it take to become an electrician?

Most people need about 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) of training. A high school diploma or GED is required for most apprenticeships. Apprentices complete roughly 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction over four to five years, then take a licensing exam. Some start with a pre-apprenticeship or technical school program.

Do you need a degree to be an electrician?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.

More electrician questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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