Becoming an electrician is a great opportunity for someone looking to make money in the trades. It’s a well-paid field that’s in high demand, given the level of training required.
Below, we’ll take you through the career path for becoming an electrician. We hope this helps whether you’re just starting out or you’re trying to figure out the next stage in your career.
Apprentice Electrician or Electrical Helper
Apprenticeship is the first step that many electricians take in their career. Apprentices are essentially learning on the job, which means they perform work under the watchful eye of a more knowledgeable journeyman or master electrician. At the same time, they’re taking coursework designed to help them become a journeyman. This process typically takes four or five years.
Please note that you need to have a GED or high school diploma to become an apprentice electrician.
If you’re having trouble becoming an apprentice electrician, you may be able to find work as an electrical helper. This position isn’t available in all states, but it can provide you with great early experience.
Journeyman Electrician
Once your apprenticeship is completed, you need to complete the journeyman’s license exam. Upon completion of that exam, you’ll likely have an idea of whether you want to become a residential, commercial, or industrial electrician.
This is the stage of your career where you’ve established your ability to do electrical work, which means you need to begin establishing your expertise.
Electricians typically spend at least two years as journeymen before taking the master’s exam.
Master Electrician
Once you’ve successfully completed your master’s exam, you’ll be able to pull permits for jobs. This gives you independence and allows you the most autonomy in determining what kinds of jobs you want to take on.
Because of your training and experience, you should be able to get some of the highest pay available in the industry.
Once you’ve reached this level, you may also choose to become a contractor or start your own business. This can be one of the most fiscally rewarding parts of your career, but it is important to note that not everyone will want to start their own business. You have to be ready for the many other tasks that go into running a business, such as hiring the right people and managing money responsibly.
Join the Corps – Talent Corps
It’s important to work with a recruitment team who understands your industry. Our leadership team brings decades of this experience to the table. Our founder and CEO is an electrician, and we have an office in IEC’s Chesapeake location.
Whether you’re looking to become an electrician or you’re hiring for electrician jobs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.