Second Career
How to Become an Electrician: Step-by-Step from Apprentice to Licensed Journeyman
May 2, 2026
What Does the Path to Becoming an Electrician Actually Look Like?
If you're searching for how to become an electrician, you probably want a straight answer — not a brochure. Here it is: becoming a licensed journeyman electrician takes roughly 4 to 5 years, requires a mix of on-the-job training and classroom hours, and ends with a licensing exam. You don't need a college degree. You do need patience, a willingness to start at the bottom, and the ability to pass a math and reading aptitude test to get your foot in the door.
This guide walks you through every stage — from applying to an apprenticeship program to sitting for your journeyman exam — with real timelines and honest pay figures along the way.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements Before You Apply
Before you can enter an apprenticeship, you need to check a few boxes. Most programs — whether union or non-union — require the following:
- Age: At least 17 or 18 years old (varies by state and program)
- Education: High school diploma or GED
- Math: At least one semester of algebra with a passing grade, or you may need to pass an algebra assessment
- Physical ability: Capable of lifting, climbing, and working in tight spaces
- Driver's license: Most programs require a valid license
Some programs also require a drug screening and a background check. Don't let that catch you off guard — get ahead of it.
If your algebra is rusty, spend a few weeks brushing up before you apply. Programs run by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) — known as JATC programs — are competitive. A stronger aptitude test score puts you ahead of other applicants.
Step 2: Choose Between a Union and Non-Union Apprenticeship
This is one of the most important decisions you'll make, and it affects your pay, benefits, and career trajectory.
Union apprenticeships (IBEW/JATC):
These are run jointly by the IBEW and NECA. They're typically 5 years long and include 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus around 900 hours of classroom instruction. Pay starts at roughly 40–50% of journeyman wages and steps up incrementally each year. Benefits — health insurance, pension, annuity — kick in early and are genuinely substantial.
Non-union apprenticeships (IEC and others):
The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) runs the largest non-union apprenticeship network. These programs are typically 4 years and also include thousands of field hours and classroom work. Pay and benefits vary more widely by employer, but non-union programs can sometimes get you into the field faster with less bureaucracy.
Which is better? It depends on where you live and what you want. In strong union markets like Illinois and New York, IBEW journeymen earn significantly more. In right-to-work states like Texas and Florida, non-union shops dominate the market. Research what's actually active in your area — that matters more than the debate in the abstract.
Step 3: Apply, Get Ranked, and Wait for Your Start Date
Once you meet the requirements, you apply through the local JATC or IEC chapter in your area. The process usually looks like this:
- Submit your application with proof of education, transcripts showing algebra credit, and a copy of your driver's license
- Take the aptitude test — typically covers algebra and reading comprehension
- Get ranked based on your test score and, in some programs, an in-person interview
- Wait for a start date — programs often have one or two cohort starts per year
Waiting lists are real. In some areas, you could be waiting 6 to 12 months after ranking. Use that time wisely: read the National Electrical Code (NEC), take an algebra refresher, and if possible, pick up a laborer or helper position with an electrical contractor to start building familiarity with the trade.
Step 4: Complete Your Apprenticeship — 4 to 5 Years of Paid Training
Once you're in, you're earning while you learn. That's the deal with an apprenticeship. You're an employee from day one — not a student paying tuition.
Here's what the years look like in broad strokes:
Year 1: You're doing the grunt work — pulling wire, digging trenches, hauling materials, learning safety basics. You'll start learning conduit bending and basic wiring. Pay is typically 40–50% of journeyman scale.
Years 2–3: You move into more skilled work — installing panels, learning motor controls, understanding load calculations. Classroom instruction digs into the NEC more deeply. Pay steps up each year.
Years 4–5: You're doing journeyman-level work under supervision — troubleshooting, reading complex blueprints, handling service upgrades. By the end of year 5, you should be able to do most of what a journeyman does.
Don't take the classroom hours lightly. The NEC is dense, and the licensing exam pulls directly from it. Apprentices who coast through the classroom work often struggle on the exam.
Step 5: Get Your Journeyman License
After completing your apprenticeship hours, you're eligible to sit for the journeyman electrician exam. Licensing is handled at the state level, which means requirements vary. A few key facts:
- Most states require 8,000 hours of documented work experience
- The exam typically covers the NEC, electrical theory, load calculations, and applicable state codes
- Some states — like California — have their own state-specific licensing exams administered by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) or similar agencies
- Other states accept third-party exams like the one from PSI or Prometric
Exam fees generally run $50–$150. Study materials, practice exams, and prep courses are widely available — use them. Passing rates for first-time test takers are not 100%, and failing and retesting costs you time and money.
Once you pass, you hold a journeyman electrician license in your state. In most states, you'll need to renew every 1–3 years with continuing education hours to stay current.
What Does an Electrician Actually Earn?
Here's where the rubber meets the road. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, the national median annual wage for electricians is $62,350. But that national number masks significant variation by location.
State-by-state median wages for electricians, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS:
- Illinois: $96,360/yr
- New York: $77,460/yr
- California: $76,540/yr
- Texas: $56,920/yr
- Florida: $53,100/yr
Illinois stands out because of the strength of IBEW Local 134 in Chicago and other strong union markets throughout the state. If you're in a union shop in a high-wage market, you can expect wages well above the state median once you have seniority and specialized skills.
As an apprentice, expect to start at roughly 40–50% of journeyman scale and step up annually. By year 3 or 4, most apprentices are earning a livable wage — not a beginner wage.
Beyond journeyman, you can test for a master electrician license after accumulating additional years of experience (usually 2–4 years as a journeyman). Master electricians can pull permits and run their own electrical contracting businesses.
Is This the Right Move for a Career Changer?
If you're coming from another field, the math on this career change is worth running honestly.
The upside: You start earning on day one of your apprenticeship. There's no tuition debt for the training itself — in union programs, the JATC funds the classroom portion. And you're entering a trade where demand is durable. Electricians are needed for new construction, renewable energy installations, EV infrastructure, and industrial maintenance. None of that work is going offshore.
The downside: Five years is a real commitment. If you're 35, you'll be 40 when you finish. That's still 25+ years of working at journeyman and master rates, but you need to be clear-eyed about the timeline. The physical demands are real — working in attics, crawl spaces, and on ladders is part of the job. And the first two years of apprentice pay may mean a temporary income cut if you're coming from a higher-paying white-collar job.
For most people making this switch, the long-term numbers make sense. Electricians with 10+ years of experience, specialized skills in industrial or high-voltage work, or master licenses regularly earn well above the median figures cited here.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a licensed electrician?
Typically 4 to 5 years, including completion of a registered apprenticeship program and passing your state journeyman licensing exam. Timeline varies slightly by state and whether you're in a union or non-union program.
Do I need a college degree to become an electrician?
No. The minimum requirement is a high school diploma or GED, plus passing an aptitude test to qualify for an apprenticeship. Some community colleges offer pre-apprenticeship programs that can help you qualify, but a four-year degree is not required and not expected.
How much do electricians make as an apprentice vs. a journeyman?
Apprentice pay typically starts at 40–50% of journeyman scale and increases each year. Once licensed as a journeyman, the national median is $62,350 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, with significantly higher wages in states like Illinois ($96,360) and New York ($77,460).