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

What is an electrical apprentice and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An electrical apprentice assists an electrician, on the job, to get hands-on practice in his/her or her chosen profession. Being an electrician is not as easy as you would imagine. Pulling on the wrong wire might cause immediate death, so working as an electrician without a license is out of the question, as is being color blind.

Electrician apprentices may work in a number of places such as construction sites, factories, government or residential premises; maintaining, repairing, and installing electrical systems, generators, conductors, cables, power distributors, or lighting systems. They typically perform apprentice roles for several years before taking on jobs as an electrician in full employment.

Electricians know way more than they get credit for. They read blueprints, design and carry out projects with excellent eye and hand coordination, and they manage stress really well. They put up with a lot of inconvenience, carrying out dangerous tasks, and all the while keeping up great customer service practices. As an apprentice, all this multitasking will earn you around $17.55 an hour, which will escalate up to $23.95 when you get licensed as an electrician.

ScoreElectrical ApprenticeUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $37,081

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

2.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 8.05%

Black or African American 6.26%

Hispanic or Latino 10.43%

Unknown 4.32%

White 70.79%

Gender

female 5.87%

male 94.13%

Age - 52

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 - 52

Stress Level

5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

7.3

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.0

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an electrical apprentice

Explore electrical apprentice education requirements

Most common electrical apprentice degrees

High School Diploma

45.4 %

Associate

22.1 %

Bachelor's

12.8 %

Start to develop specific electrical apprentice skills

Skills	Percentages
RUN Conduit	20.58%
Hand Tools	10.26%
Electrical Systems	7.34%
Switches	6.33%
Receptacles	5.59%

Complete relevant electrical apprentice training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New electrical apprentices 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 electrical apprentice based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real electrical apprentice resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming an licensed electrical apprentice usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed electrical apprentice in most of states. 25 states require electrical apprentices 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

Research electrical apprentice duties and responsibilities

Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
Assure all work perform meets with all NEC, federal, state, county, local codes and contract documents.
Install the following: MC, EMT, lights, outlets, circuit breaker panels, transformers, smart relay panels.
Install electric parts in ambulances.

Prepare your electrical apprentice resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your electrical apprentice 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 electrical apprentice resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Electrical Apprentice Resume templates

Build a professional Electrical Apprentice 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 Electrical Apprentice resume.

Apply for electrical apprentice jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an electrical apprentice job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Electrical Apprentice Job

Aniya Mitchell

Electrical Apprentice, Home Builder’s Institute

My name is Aniya Mitchell, and I'm excited to share my journey of becoming an Electrical Apprentice. It all started with a passion for working with my hands and a keen interest in electrical systems.

From a young age, I was fascinated by how things worked, especially electrical devices and circuits. As I approached the end of high school, I knew I wanted a hands-on career that would challenge me intellectually. After researching various trades, I decided to pursue a career in electrical work.

To kickstart my journey, I enrolled in a local vocational school that offered courses in electrical theory and practical skills. This was crucial in laying the foundation for my career. I learned about electrical principles, wiring techniques, safety protocols, and more.

During my time at the vocational school, I actively sought out apprenticeship opportunities. I reached out to local electrical contractors, attended job fairs, and leveraged networking connections. Persistence paid off when I secured an apprenticeship position with a reputable electrical company.

As an apprentice, I immersed myself in the world of electrical work. I shadowed experienced electricians, learning the ropes of the trade. I gained hands-on experience by assisting with installations, troubleshooting electrical systems, and understanding blueprints.

One of the most valuable aspects of my apprenticeship was the mentorship I received. My journey was shaped by seasoned professionals who generously shared their knowledge and expertise. They challenged me to think critically and problem-solve in real-world scenarios.

Throughout my apprenticeship, I also pursued further education. I obtained certifications such as OSHA safety training and specialized courses in areas like renewable energy systems. Continuous learning was essential for staying updated with industry trends and advancing my skills.

The road to becoming a licensed electrician is not without challenges. Balancing work, education, and personal life requires dedication and perseverance. However, the rewards are immense. Each day brings new experiences and opportunities for growth.

Looking back, I am grateful for the path that led me to where I am today. Becoming an Electrical Apprentice was the first step towards a fulfilling and rewarding career. I encourage anyone interested in the electrical trade to pursue their passion with determination and enthusiasm.

How do electrical apprentices rate their job?

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Electrical Apprentice reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022

Pros

It's challenging job, because I learn every day.

Cons

If you don't focus you will get yourself in danger.