How long does it take to become an Apprentice Electrician?

It takes 2 years of professional experience to become an apprentice electrician. That is the time it takes to learn specific apprentice electrician skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Do you need schooling to be an apprentice electrician?

No, you do not need schooling to be an apprentice electrician. All you need to start an apprenticeship as an electrician is a high school diploma or GED and a willingness to learn. An electrician apprenticeship is a long-term training program. These are generally run by professional organizations combining work and instruction. Meaning you must perform a specific amount of hours in classroom instruction and hands-on training to complete the apprenticeship. Electrician apprenticeships generally take about four to five years to complete.

Is an electrician apprenticeship worth it?

Yes, an electrician apprenticeship is worth it. Becoming an electrician is well worth the four-year apprenticeship. It's a great alternative to paying for a vocational or college degree since apprentice programs are affordable and one of the few programs that allow you to be paid while you learn the ropes.

How To Become An Apprentice Electrician: What It Is and Career Path

What is an apprentice electrician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An apprentice electrician learns the skills and knowledge necessary to become a licensed electrician. They work under the supervision of a licensed electrician and receive on-the-job training and classroom instruction. Apprentice electricians assist with installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. This can include running wires, connecting circuits, troubleshooting problems, and ensuring safety compliance. As they gain experience and knowledge, apprentice electricians take on more responsibility and become licensed electricians.

ScoreApprentice ElectricianUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,799

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.6

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.83%

Asian 2.10%

Black or African American 6.75%

Hispanic or Latino 22.78%

Unknown 4.19%

White 63.34%

Gender

female 4.68%

male 95.32%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.8

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.5

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an apprentice electrician?

Pros

Opportunity to earn while learning
Potential for job security and advancement
Exposure to different types of electrical work
Potential for a high income after completing the apprenticeship program
Chance to make a tangible impact on people's lives

Cons

Physically demanding work
Exposure to dangerous situations and hazardous materials
Risk of injury or electrical shocks
Time-consuming apprenticeship program (typically four years)
Difficulty balancing work, education, and personal life during the apprenticeship

Key steps to become an apprentice electrician

Explore apprentice electrician education requirements

Most common apprentice electrician degrees

High School Diploma

43.8 %

Associate

23.3 %

Bachelor's

15.3 %

Start to develop specific apprentice electrician skills

Skills	Percentages
Hand Tools	13.03%
RUN Conduit	11.98%
EMT	7.23%
Electrical Systems	7.04%
Work Ethic	5.77%

Complete relevant apprentice electrician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 4-10 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New apprentices electrician learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an apprentice electrician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real apprentice electrician resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming an licensed apprentice electrician usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed apprentice electrician in most of states. 25 states require apprentices electrician to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	-	State exam required	Licensed Journeyman Electrician
Alaska	-	State exam required	Electrical Worker
Arkansas	-	Third-party exam required	Journeyman Electrician
Colorado	-	State exam required	Journeyman Electrician
Hawaii	Degree required	State exam required	Electrician

Gain additional apprentice electrician certifications

Apprentice electrician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific apprentice electrician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for apprentices electrician include Electrical Technician Certification and Electrical Maintenance Technician Certificate.

More About Certifications

Research apprentice electrician duties and responsibilities

Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
Experience with underground installations and installing PVC, EMT, MC, wire pulling, trimming, device and panel makeup.
Pull cables on main tray from PLC to junction boxes, including motor control center to motors and on/off switches.
Perform grind up industrial electrical construction, running above grind EMT and rigid conduit, underground PVC conduit and pulling wire.

Prepare your apprentice electrician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your apprentice electrician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an apprentice electrician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable apprentice electrician resume templates

Build a professional apprentice electrician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your apprentice electrician resume.