TradeFooting
Open

Electrician

Electrician programs in the United States

These are national ranges — not a local paycheck. Open a state for tuition and first-year wage that belong to a real market.

Updated May 2026

BLS Occupational Employment — Electricians — $62,350

U.S. median annual wage (most recent OEWS) · May 2026

Compare by state

Typical paths nationwide

These are program types, not a specific local. Paid apprenticeships are listed first.

01

Inside Wireman (IBEW / NECA JATC)

ApprenticeshipSeats: Unknown

Tuition / net cost

$0

Paid on the job. Related instruction is typically covered.

First-year wage

$18–$24/hr

Usually 40–50% of local journeyman scale.

Term

4–5 years · ~8,000 hours

Journeyman median ~$62k–$97k by state (BLS / local scale)

Joint apprenticeship & training committees·Nationwide (local JATCs)

Source: Apprenticeship.gov wage notes; BLS OEWS electrician; IBEW local scales (2026-05)

02

IEC electrical apprenticeship

ApprenticeshipSeats: Unknown

Tuition / net cost

$0–$3,000

Employer-sponsored. Some chapters charge modest related-instruction fees.

First-year wage

$16–$22/hr

Paid from day one. Scale varies by chapter and employer.

Term

4 years · paid OJT + classroom

Progresses to local journeyman scale over 4 years

Independent Electrical Contractors chapters·Multiple states

Source: IEC chapter public program pages (composite) (2026-04)

03

Public community / technical college electrician certificate

Trade schoolSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$5,000–$16,000

In-state certificate / diploma typical range. Tools extra.

First-year wage

$0 during school

Most full-time students are unpaid. Entry wage after completion often $17–$22/hr.

Term

9–18 months classroom-first

Entry electrician ~$38k–$50k depending on state

State community & technical colleges·Nationwide

Source: College Scorecard / state technical-college catalogs (composite) (2026-02)

04

Private for-profit electrical trade school

Trade schoolSeats: Open

Tuition / net cost

$12,000–$30,000

Published tuition before aid. Tools, exam, and kit often extra.

First-year wage

$0 during school

Unpaid training period. Placement wages vary widely; treat school claims as unverified.

Term

6–12 months

Not consistently reported

Private career schools·Nationwide

Source: Published school catalogs (composite). Outcome data incomplete. (2026-03)

Other U.S. comparisons

Get this trade in more states

We only write when new year-one numbers go up.