Electrician key facts
- National median pay
- $63,190 per yearBLS, May 2025
- Projected growth
- 9%BLS, 2025 to 2035
- Annual openings
- 72,700BLS, 2025 to 2035 average
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent; most electricians train through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship.
- Typical training route
- Registered apprenticeshipUsually 4–5 years
- Licensing note
- State/local electrician licenseUsually required
- Primary source
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Last verified
- Data verified September 2026 · BLS May 2025 wages · BLS 2025 to 2035 projections
Career overview
What does an electrician career actually involve?
Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical power, communications, lighting and control systems in homes, businesses and factories. The trade combines hands-on construction work with code knowledge, troubleshooting, math and safety-critical decision-making.
Most electricians enter through a paid apprenticeship rather than a four-year college degree. BLS says a typical apprenticeship lasts 4 or 5 years and includes about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training for each year, plus technical instruction. Most states require electricians to be licensed, although the exact rules vary by state and locality.
Typical work
Read blueprints, wiring diagrams and electrical code requirements.
Install wiring, fixtures, panels, controls and electrical equipment.
Inspect systems, identify faults and make repairs safely.
Use testing devices to diagnose electrical problems.
Work around evolving systems such as solar, controls, industrial equipment and data-center infrastructure.
Step-by-step path
How to enter this career
Meet the basic entry requirements
A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education. Algebra, geometry, shop, construction and basic physics can make the first months of training easier.
Choose an apprenticeship route
Look for a registered apprenticeship sponsored by a union, contractor association, employer or training committee. Registered programs combine paid work with technical instruction and progressively greater responsibility.
Search registered apprenticeshipsComplete 4–5 years of paid training
BLS reports that most electricians learn through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, typically receiving about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year plus technical instruction in electrical theory, blueprint reading, math, code and safety.
Meet your state or local licensing rules
Most states require electricians to pass an exam and hold a license. Requirements vary, so verify the current rules with the electrical licensing authority where you plan to work before paying for training or scheduling an exam.
Find state license requirementsBuild a specialty after journey-level training
Experienced electricians can move toward industrial controls, commercial work, service, renewable-energy connections, fire alarms, communications, maintenance, supervision or data-center electrical work. Specialty demand varies by region and project cycle.
Pay, without the hype
How much does an electrician make?
The BLS national median for this occupation is $63,190 per year (May 2025 wages). Half of workers earn more and half earn less, so it is not a starting wage: the lowest-paid 10% earned under $42,640, and apprentices usually earn less than fully trained workers while they train.
Median pay in selected industries
BLS national wage data are not a promise of starting pay. Apprentice wages are lower than fully trained electrician wages and usually rise as skills and hours increase. Geography, overtime, union agreements, specialty, employer and experience can materially change earnings. BLS OEWS wage estimates generally do not include self-employed workers.
Training choices
Compare the main routes into the field
Registered apprenticeship
People who want paid, structured trainingThe standard route. You work under experienced electricians, earn wages while learning and complete related technical instruction. Entry can be competitive in strong local programs.
Technical school + apprenticeship
People who want classroom fundamentals before applyingSome technical schools teach circuitry, safety and basic electrical theory. BLS notes that graduates may receive credit toward an apprenticeship, but credit and licensing treatment vary by program and jurisdiction.
Related experience route
Military or construction workers with relevant experienceBLS notes that workers with prior electrical experience in the military or construction may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on experience and testing. Always verify what your state and sponsor will accept.
Licenses & credentials
What you may actually need to work
State/local electrician license
Usually requiredMost states require electricians to be licensed. Exams commonly cover the National Electrical Code plus state or local electrical rules.
CareerOneStop license finderRegistered apprenticeship completion
Primary training credentialCompleting a recognized apprenticeship is the most common route to journey-level status, subject to local licensing rules.
Apprenticeship.govSpecialty credentials
Role-dependentEmployers may value additional credentials for controls, low-voltage systems, fire alarms, safety or manufacturer-specific equipment. Requirements depend on the work and jurisdiction.
2025 to 2035 job outlook
What is driving demand?
BLS projects electrician employment to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3% for all occupations, with about 72,700 openings per year on average.
BLS specifically points to the need to install and replace electrical systems, connect solar and wind generation, upgrade the power grid, and support rising electricity demand. Its current outlook also notes that AI-related data-center growth is expected to contribute to electricity demand and new infrastructure work.
Career fit
Who tends to fit this work — and what to consider first
This path may fit you if…
- You like troubleshooting and figuring out why a system is not working.
- You are comfortable with math, measurements and detailed rules.
- You prefer hands-on work to sitting at a desk all day.
- You can follow safety procedures consistently, even under time pressure.
- You want a trade with residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure pathways.
Know the realities
- •Work may involve ladders, cramped areas, construction sites and exposure to weather.
- •Schedules can include evenings, weekends and overtime during maintenance or construction deadlines.
- •Licensing is jurisdiction-specific; there is no single national electrician license.
- •Apprenticeship admission can involve aptitude testing, interviews or waiting lists depending on the sponsor.
One possible progression
Helper / pre-apprentice
Build basic tool, safety and jobsite skills while preparing for a formal apprenticeship.
Apprentice electrician
Earn while completing supervised field hours and related technical instruction.
Journey-level electrician
Work more independently after completing apprenticeship and any required licensing steps.
Specialist / foreman / master-level path
Move into industrial systems, controls, estimating, supervision or master-level licensing where offered.
Contractor / business owner
In jurisdictions that allow it, experienced licensed electricians may qualify for contractor licensing and operate a business.
Keep researching
Related TrainingForFuture guides
Head-to-head career comparisons
Compare electrician with a nearby choice.
See current BLS pay, growth, openings, training routes and work-style differences on one page.
State career intelligence
Compare pay and licensing across 10 states
National numbers are only the starting point. Open a state guide for May 2025 wage percentiles, the local licensing structure and official apprenticeship resources.
Source transparency
Where this guide gets its facts
TrainingForFuture prioritizes primary government and industry sources for pay, projections, licensing and certification. Data below was checked for this guide in September 2026.
Occupational Outlook Handbook — Electricians
May 2025 wages, 2025 to 2035 outlook, training and work environment.
Open official source U.S. Department of LaborApprenticeship.gov
Registered apprenticeship information and opportunity search.
Open official source U.S. Department of LaborCareerOneStop License Finder
Starting point for state licensing requirements; verify with the issuing authority.
Open official sourceFrequently asked questions
Quick answers
How long does it take to become an electrician?
BLS says most electricians learn through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship. Each year typically includes about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training plus technical instruction.
What is the national median electrician salary?
The BLS median annual wage for electricians was $63,190 in May 2025. The lowest 10% earned less than $42,640 and the highest 10% earned more than $108,510.
Do electricians need a college degree?
No four-year degree is typically required. A high school diploma or equivalent is the usual entry-level education, and most electricians learn through an apprenticeship.
Do electricians need a license?
Most states require electricians to be licensed, but the rules vary by state and locality. Verify current requirements with the licensing authority where you plan to work.
Is electrician demand growing?
Yes. BLS projects 9% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 and about 72,700 openings per year on average over the decade.