Electrician Apprentice HQ #1 Online Resource For Becoming An Electrician 
Last updated on February 26th, 2024.
Every year, millions of young Americans wrestle with the question of their “next” step after high school. With college often feeling like an extension of their current experiences and the prospect of daily office life lacking appeal, many are left seeking alternative career paths. The electrical trade emerges as an enticing choice, offering a variety of career opportunities and the path to becoming a licensed contractor.
The Electrical Trade Needs New Apprentices
Skilled tradesmen are reaching retirement age and leaving the workforce before they can be replaced. Worker shortages are common in areas where mega-projects are grabbing most of the manpower; leaving local contractors struggling to find skilled labor. 
Earlier this year Mike Rowe (advocate for the skilled tradesmen, host of Dirty Jobs and founder of Mike Rowe Works Foundation (MRWF)) testified before Congress about the lack of workers available for blue-collar jobs.
“Right now, American manufacturing is struggling to fill 200,000 vacant positions. There are 450,000 openings in trades, transportation and utilities. The skills gap is real, and it’s getting wider. In Alabama, a third of all skilled tradesmen are over 55. They’re retiring fast, and no one is there to replace them. Alabama’s not alone.”
Mike isn’t the only one with this line of thinking.
David Hardt, the new president of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), stated that,
some ECs (electrical contractors) are already turning down jobs because they can’t find enough qualified electricians to do the work. All signs point to shortages of skilled electrical workers intensifying in the near future.
He also points out that due to market growth and demand, “we will need a net increase of nearly 100,000 electricians within the next three years.”
Working as an Electrician
The life of an electrician is both dynamic and rewarding, requiring the ability to adapt to various risks and changes. Flexibility and a craftsman’s mindset are crucial as you work across diverse environments, ensuring every day is different and engaging.
Right now the average electrician earns over $50,000 a year – many earn a lot more. By earning additional certifications and licenses, more employment opportunities become available.
The Path to Becoming an Electrician and How To Get Started
Embarking on a career as an electrician opens up a realm of possibilities, from apprenticeships and trade schools to direct on-the-job training. Each path offers a unique set of benefits tailored to different learning styles and career aspirations.
Joining an electrician apprenticeship costs almost nothing for tuition (there’s typically a $30 application fee for filing paperwork). Books can total up to $2500 for a 5-year program and a starter set of tools will cost about $200. Compare that to $9,139 for one year of college, minus housing costs.
Electrical trade schools are much more expensive to attend and often require financial assistance.
For a comprehensive list and guide to the universities, trade schools, and colleges providing electrician courses click here.
Typical Career Path of an Electrician
On the path to becoming an electrician, everyone started off as either an ‘electrician’s helper’ or an apprentice. It’s the only way to become an electrician. After the minimum required hours of training / OTJ have been met, the apprentice can apply for a licensing or certification exam.
Once passed, the career path can vary depending on location, specific skills that have been learned through the years, and even location.
Here are some possible career opportunities an electrician may pursue:
- Foreman
- Supervisor
- Project Manager
- Estimator
- Sales Representative
- Sales Manager
- Purchasing Agent
- Inspector
- Instructor / Trainer
- Project Engineer
- Superintendent
As well as conventional career paths like a Journeyman Electrician or Master Electrician.
So don’t get left behind – start your career now by joining an electrical apprenticeship. You can learn more about what an electrical apprentice is, and what kind of salary you can expect as an electrical apprentice.
Maybe I should let my husband get an electrical job since the electrical trade needs new apprentices. Since he’ll be able to become flexible, he can get so many career opportunities with his chosen profession. Since there are several ways to begin that career, maybe he should get an on-the-job-training to get started.
Thanks for pointing out that an electrician will have more than the usual $50,000 a year if they have additional certifications and licenses. My brother should know this and undergo continuing education because of that to increase his pay in the future. This tip will be useful for him since he said that he wanted to pursue this career since it is what interests him as young as a teen.