Electricians are among the highest-paid skilled tradespeople in the country, and the path doesn't require a four-year degree or six-figure student debt.
What Electricians Do
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. Specialty areas include solar installation, industrial automation, and low-voltage systems. No two days are exactly the same.
The Path: Apprenticeship Is the Standard Route
Step 1 — High school or GED
Most apprenticeship programs require a high school diploma, plus algebra.
Step 2 — Apply to an apprenticeship program
Apprenticeships are run by local IBEW chapters or through the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Programs last 4-5 years. You get paid from day one — apprentice wages start around $18-22/hour and increase as you advance.
Step 3 — Journeyman license
After completing your apprenticeship hours and passing a state licensing exam, you become a journeyman electrician. Journeyman wages range from $28-40/hour.
Step 4 — Master electrician (optional)
With additional experience and another exam, journeymen can become master electricians — required to pull permits and run your own electrical business.
What to Do in High School
- Take Algebra and Physics
- Enroll in shop or trade classes if available
- Look into pre-apprenticeship programs
- Consider SkillsUSA (Business & Technical Career Club)
- Talk to a local IBEW chapter about their application timeline
Salary
Median annual wage for electricians is $61,590. Experienced journeymen in high-cost areas earn $80,000-$100,000+. No student loans. Paid training. Strong salary.