Why You Should Consider Becoming an Electrician

Why should you become an electrician? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, electrical work is one of the fastest-growing trades, with a projected 9% increase in employment over the next 10 years. In 2020, the median pay for electricians in the U.S. was over $56,000, making it one of the highest paying industries. Based on demand and financial security alone, electricians stand out to many who are considering a profession in the skilled trades. Beyond these factors, there are a few more that attest to the appeal of becoming an electrician.

There are plenty of opportunities to move up.
As an electrician, you have immense potential for increasing your knowledge and skills. After attending a technical school, all electricians are required to complete an apprenticeship program, which usually takes about 4-5 years to complete. An apprenticeship will provide the bulk of the knowledge you will need to know about electrical work along with hands-on experience.

After this, you are considered a journeyman electrician and can work in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. From here on out, there are plenty of opportunities to move up in positions and earn more. Extra licensure is typically required for these positions, and courses may be needed throughout the course of your career to maintain existing licensure. After an additional 2-5 years of experience, one can become a master electrician and oversee journeymen and apprentices as well as take on big projects and work with contractors.

Electricians can make more depending on location.
If location is a consideration for your decision to become an electrician, the salary can be much higher depending on the state you are employed in. Keep in mind that licensing requirements may vary state-to-state. According to the BLS, these are the top 10 highest-paying states for electricians and the average salary for each:

1. New York: $77,810
2. Alaska: $76,330
3. Illinois: $75,820
4. Hawaii: $75,810
5. New Jersey: $71,660
6. Minnesota: $70,410
7. Oregon: $69,330
8. California: $69,320
9. Washington: $68,640
10. Massachusetts: $68,030

You can read more from the BLS about geographically-based employment and wage statistics here.

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