How Long Does It Take to Become an Electrician?

Quick Answer

Becoming a licensed electrician takes 4–5 years through the standard apprenticeship path. This includes 8,000–10,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 144–200 hours of classroom instruction per year. Trade school can accelerate the classroom portion to 9–24 months, but you’ll still need years of field experience to qualify for a journeyman license.

Timeline by Licensing Level

License Level	Requirements	Total Time
Apprentice	Enroll in apprenticeship program	Day 1
Journeyman electrician	8,000–10,000 hours + exam	4–5 years
Master electrician	2–4 years as journeyman + exam	6–9 years total
Electrical contractor	Master license + business license	7–10 years total

Apprenticeship Path (Most Common)

The apprenticeship is the traditional and most common route. Here’s what it looks like:

• Duration: 4–5 years (8,000–10,000 hours of paid on-the-job training)
• Classroom hours: 144–200 hours per year (typically evening or weekend classes)
• Pay: Apprentices earn while they learn, starting at 40–50% of a journeyman’s wage and increasing every 6–12 months
• Cost: Often free or low cost through union (IBEW/NECA) or non-union programs

Apprenticeship programs are offered through:

• IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) — union programs with competitive entry
• Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) — non-union programs
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) — merit shop programs
• State-registered programs through community colleges

Trade School Path

Trade school programs typically take 9–24 months and cover electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, blueprint reading, and hands-on wiring practice. However, trade school alone does not make you a licensed electrician. You still need to complete 2–4 years of supervised work (depending on your state) before sitting for the journeyman exam.

Trade school can reduce the total timeline by 6–12 months because many states count some trade school hours toward your apprenticeship requirement.

State Requirements Vary

Electrician licensing is regulated at the state and sometimes local level. Key differences include:

• Hours required: 8,000 (4 years) in most states; 10,000 (5 years) in some
• Exam required: Most states require passing the journeyman exam (based on the NEC)
• Continuing education: 12–24 hours per renewal cycle in most states
• Some states have no statewide license (e.g., Illinois, New York) and licensing happens at the local/municipal level

Union vs. Non-Union

Factor	Union (IBEW)	Non-Union
Apprentice starting wage	$18–$25/hour	$14–$20/hour
Journeyman wage	$35–$55/hour	$25–$40/hour
Benefits	Full health, pension, annuity	Varies by employer
Program length	5 years (10,000 hours)	4 years (8,000 hours)
Entry competitiveness	Highly competitive	Easier to get in
Job availability	Dispatched through hall	Direct hire

Salary Progression

Electricians earn competitive wages that increase steadily with experience:

• 1st-year apprentice: $30,000–$40,000/year
• 4th-year apprentice: $45,000–$60,000/year
• Journeyman electrician: $60,000–$90,000/year (median $61,590 per BLS)
• Master electrician: $70,000–$100,000+/year
• Electrical contractor (self-employed): $80,000–$150,000+/year

How to Get Started

1. Meet minimum requirements: 18 years old, high school diploma or GED, basic algebra skills
2. Apply to an apprenticeship or enroll in a trade school program
3. Pass the aptitude test (math and reading comprehension) required by most programs
4. Complete your hours and pass the journeyman exam
5. Pursue master license after gaining journeyman experience if desired