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Trades/Electrical

Electrical

Electrical wiring, panel, and system installation and maintenance

$62k/yr median+6% growth (10-yr)80,200 openings/yrLicense required

Wages & Job Outlook

$62k

Median wage

per year

$39k

Entry wage

per year

$106k

Top 10%

per year

80K

Annual openings

jobs per year

📈+6% projected job growth over 10 years — faster than average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.

Work-Life & Stability

Schedule

Full-time, M–F with seasonal surge

Environment

mixed

Overtime

common

Physical demand

high

Travel

Travel typically required

Hazard level

High hazard

Recession-resistant · Classified as essential service

Overview

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures in homes, businesses, and factories. The trade is governed by the National Electrical Code and requires a journeyman or master license in most states.

Day in the Life

Morning: review blueprint for new residential panel upgrade. Midday: pull wire through conduit on commercial job site. Afternoon: troubleshoot a tripped GFCI at a restaurant. Evening: update invoices and schedule next day's work.

How to Get Started

Registered Apprenticeship

apprenticeship

IBEW/NECA 5-year Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee program

Duration: 5 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Trade School / Vocational Program

trade-school

Electrical technology associate degree or certificate program

Duration: 1–2 yearsCost: Moderate tuition

Military Training

military

Military electrician MOS transitions directly to civilian journeyman credit

Duration: 2–4 yearsCost: No cost

Find local electrical training near you

Programs, apprenticeship openings, and American Job Centers

Find training →

How to Pay for Your Training

Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.

WIOA Individual Training Account (ITA)

Federally funded training voucher for eligible adults and dislocated workers. ITAs pay for approved programs at WIOA-eligible providers (ETPs). Amounts set by local Workforce Development Boards — typically $3,000–$12,000 per year depending on workforce area. Apply at your nearest American Job Center (CareerOneStop).

Up to $12,000

Apply →

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant up to $7,395/year for eligible students at accredited colleges and trade schools. Does not need to be repaid. Eligible programs include accredited community colleges, for-profit trade schools (UTI, Lincoln, etc.), and union training centers that are accredited institutions.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

Workforce Pell Grant (SAVES Act)

Starting July 1, 2026, Pell Grant eligibility expands to high-quality short-term workforce programs (8–15 weeks) at eligible institutions. For the first time, trade training programs under 600 hours are Pell-eligible — including many HVAC, electrical, and welding certificates. Students earn the same need-based amount as longer programs.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

GI Bill (Post-9/11, Chapter 33) — Apprenticeship

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA, based on E-5 w/dependents BAH at program location) that scales up as they advance through the apprenticeship. Covers full 3–5 year apprenticeship programs.

Up to $3,200

Apply →

See all programs you may qualify for →

Career Ladder

Electrical Helper

$36k/yr

0–1 yrs exp.

Carries tools, preps wire, assists journeyman

Apprentice Electrician

$50k/yr

1–5 yrs exp.

Works under supervision while completing apprenticeship hours

Journeyman Electrician

$68k/yr

5–10 yrs exp.

Licensed to work independently on commercial and residential projects

Master Electrician

$84k/yr

10+ yrs exp.

Can design systems, pull permits, supervise others

Electrical Contractor

$110k/yr

10+ yrs exp.

Owns and operates an electrical contracting business

Licensing by State

State	Required?	License type	Issuing body
CA	Yes	C-10 Electrical Contractor	CSLB
TX	Yes	Electrical Contractor License (with Master Electrician of record)	TDLR
FL	Yes	Certified Electrical Contractor	Florida DBPR / ECLB
NY	No	–	–
IL	No	–	–
PA	No	–	–
OH	Yes	Electrical Contractor License	Ohio CILB (OCILB)
GA	Yes	Electrical Contractor (Class I Restricted / Class II Unrestricted)	GA State Board of Electrical Contractors (Construction Industry Licensing Board, SOS)
NC	Yes	Electrical Contractor License (Limited / Intermediate / Unlimited)	NCBEEC
MI	Yes	Electrical Contractor License (requires associated Master Electrician)	Michigan LARA — Electrical Division
WA	Yes	Electrical Contractor License	Washington L&I
AZ	Yes	C-11 / CR-11 Electrical Contractor	Arizona ROC
VA	Yes	Contractor License Class A/B/C with ELE Electrical specialty (Master Electrician qualifier)	Virginia DPOR — Board for Contractors
NJ	Yes	Electrical Contractor License	NJ Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (Division of Consumer Affairs)
TN	Yes	Electrical Contractor (CE classification); statewide Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) for jobs under $25k	TN Board for Licensing Contractors

Time to Enter

Time to journeyman5 yrs

Wages (BLS 2024)

Entry (10th pct)$39k

Median$62k

Top 10%$106k

BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.

Compare all trades side-by-side →Find training funding →

Own a electrical business?

Verified · 2 sources

What it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.

First Page Sage

PE / strategic buyer

4.5×–8×

× EBITDA

Peak Business Valuation

Appraisal / small business

2.5×–4.5×

× SDE

The two lenses differ on purpose: PE / strategic buyers pay a multiple of EBITDA (management-run, platform-scale), while an appraisal / small-business value is a multiple of SDE (owner-operated). Most trades land between the two.

Full valuation breakdown →Explore exit paths →