Why Becoming An Electrician Is A Safe Career Move In 2026

Last updated on October 22nd, 2026.

Every year, millions of young Americans decide what to do after high school. Some want a change from classroom study and have little interest in office work. The electrical trade gives them several career options, including a path to becoming a licensed contractor.

The Electrical Trade Needs New Apprentices

Skilled tradesmen are retiring faster than new workers can replace them. Where mega-projects employ most of the available workers, local contractors struggle 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.”

Other trade leaders have raised similar concerns. 

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

Electricians work in different environments and must adapt to changing conditions and risks. The work calls for flexibility and a craftsman’s mindset, and that variety can make it rewarding.

Right now the average electrician earns over $50,000 a year – many earn a lot more. Additional certifications and licenses can open up more job opportunities. 

The Path to Becoming an Electrician and How To Get Started

You can start with an apprenticeship, attend trade school or train directly on the job. These routes suit different ways of learning and different career goals.

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 list and guide to universities, trade schools and colleges with electrician courses click here.

Typical Career Path of an Electrician

Every electrician starts as an ‘electrician’s helper’ or an apprentice. After completing the minimum required training / OTJ hours, an apprentice can apply for a licensing or certification exam.

After passing the exam, your career path depends on your location and the skills you develop over the years.

Electricians can pursue roles such as:

• Foreman
• Supervisor
• Project Manager
• Estimator
• Sales Representative
• Sales Manager
• Purchasing Agent
• Inspector
• Instructor / Trainer
• Project Engineer
• Superintendent

You can also follow the conventional path of a Journeyman Electrician or Master Electrician.

You can begin your career 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.