Construction Trades Workers

How to become an Electrician

Official title: Electricians

Also called: Control Electrician, Electrical Journey Person, Electrical Troubleshooter, Electrician, Housing Maintenance Electrician, Industrial Electrician, Inside Wireman, Maintenance Electrician, Paper Mill Electrician, Wireman

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

Main tasks

Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
Maintain current electrician's license or identification card to meet governmental regulations.
Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.

How to become one

Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship, but some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require electricians to be licensed.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Electrician. BLS lists an apprenticeship as the typical training for this occupation.
Apprenticeship: Electrician, Maintenance. BLS lists an apprenticeship as the typical training for this occupation.
Apprenticeship: Electrician (Water Trans). BLS lists an apprenticeship as the typical training for this occupation.
Licence: A licence is required in 42 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $63,190 a year The middle half earn $49,430 to $83,940.
About 821,000 people work in this job now, and about 896,900 are projected by 2035. (+9.2%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Electrician?

Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship, but some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require electricians to be licensed.

How much does an Electrician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $63,190 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $49,430 to $83,940.

Is an Electrician a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 821,000 to about 896,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Electrician?

Usually not. Only 9% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Electrician.

Will AI change the work of an Electrician?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.