# How to Become an Electrician

[Skilled trade guides](/trades/)

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories. Median pay is **$63,190 per year** ($30.38/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.

      2025 median pay$63,190/year ($30.38/hour)
      Entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalent
      Training pathApprenticeship (typically 4 years)
      Job outlook9% growth 2025-35, much faster than average; about 75,900 openings projected
      Jobs in the US821,000

## The path in, step by step

- Finish high school with algebra; many programs test basic math.
- Apply to an apprenticeship: union programs run through the IBEW and NECA (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees), non-union through ABC or IEC chapters, or directly with contractors.
- Complete about 4 years combining paid on-the-job training (typically 8,000 hours) with classroom instruction (around 900 hours). Apprentices earn while they learn, starting near half of journeyman pay with scheduled raises.
- Pass the journeyman licensing exam in your state to work independently.

## How long it takes

About 4 years from apprentice to licensed journeyman.

## What it costs

Registered apprenticeships usually cost the apprentice little or nothing beyond books and tools; trade school programs can run $5,000 to $20,000+.

## What working tradespeople say

- Apply to multiple JATCs and non-union programs at once; waitlists are normal and reapplying is expected.
- Start as a material handler or helper if you cannot get an apprenticeship slot immediately; contractors hire from within.
- Brush up on algebra before aptitude tests; the math section washes out more applicants than anything else.
- Union apprenticeships generally pay more during training and offer better benefits, but non-union paths can license you faster in some states.

## Run your own numbers

See what the hourly rate means per paycheck with our [salary to hourly calculator](/salary-hourly/), and compare lifetime earnings against a college path with the [compound interest calculator](/compound-interest/) (four years of earning vs four years of tuition changes the math dramatically). When you are job hunting, our [resume templates](/resume-templates/) and [cover letter examples](/cover-letter-examples/) are free.

## More trade guides

- [**Plumber**$63,800/yr median](/trades/plumber/)
- [**HVAC Technician**$61,010/yr median](/trades/hvac-technician/)
- [**Welder**$53,750/yr median](/trades/welder/)
- [**Carpenter**$60,580/yr median](/trades/carpenter/)
- [**Auto Mechanic**$50,620/yr median](/trades/auto-mechanic/)
- [**Ironworker**$62,780/yr median](/trades/ironworker/)
- [**Solar Installer**$53,140/yr median](/trades/solar-installer/)
- [**Truck Driver (CDL)**$58,640/yr median](/trades/truck-driver/)
- [**Boilermaker**$76,410/yr median](/trades/boilermaker/)
- [**Elevator Installer**$109,910/yr median](/trades/elevator-installer/)
- [**Sheet Metal Worker**$61,800/yr median](/trades/sheet-metal-worker/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does electrician pay?

The national median is $63,190 per year ($30.38/hour) as of May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half earn more, half earn less; apprentices start lower and experienced specialists earn much more.

### Do I need college to get into the trades?

No. Every trade on this page lists a high school diploma or a short certificate as the entry credential. The training happens through paid apprenticeships or trade school, not four-year degrees.

### How long does it take to become a electrician?

About 4 years from apprentice to licensed journeyman.

### Union or non-union: which is better?

Union apprenticeships generally pay more during training and offer stronger benefits and pensions, but can have waitlists. Non-union paths through contractor associations or direct hire can start faster. Many successful tradespeople do both over a career.

### Will AI replace trade jobs?

Physical trades that work in unpredictable real-world environments (wiring buildings, fixing pipes, driving trucks) are among the hardest jobs to automate. The BLS projects continued openings driven mostly by retirements.