Electrician Jobs

When searching for a new job or career path, electrician jobs should be at the top of your mind as a smart and fulfilling job choice. North America — and Indiana in particular — is experiencing a shortage of qualified skilled trades people, especially those trained for electrician jobs. An education from the right trade school, apprenticeship, or training program often requires less schooling and less debt than a traditional four-year degree. These factors ensure that electrician jobs are in high demand with many benefits.

You may be wondering what exactly electrician jobs are, and indeed, if you are a good fit. Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, equipment and fixtures. They ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes and may install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems. Other duties include:

• Reading blueprints or diagrams
• Inspecting electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers
• Identifying electrical problems
• Directing and training workers to install, maintain or repair electrical wiring or equipment

Electricians possess these qualities:

• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Dependability

For those interested in electrician jobs, a frequent search query is “electrician jobs near me” or  “electrician jobs Indianapolis.” 

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development predicts electrician job openings to increase by 18 percent statewide by 2020. The bulk of that growth is expected in Indianapolis — 29 percent job growth for electrician jobs by 2020.

Electricians in the Indianapolis area can expect an average pay of $54,995 per year — 35 percent higher than the regional average pay across all skilled trades, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The shortage of electricians nationwide has impacted the cost and time required for many trade school programs — usually to the benefit of a job seeker interested in electrician jobs, since the high demand has indeed increased opportunities and variety for trade school education and decreased cost. Skilled trade school and related trade school programs may offer paths that require:

• a certificate and on-the-job training;
• a high school diploma/GED and on-the-job training/apprenticeships;
• or an associate’s degree.

For example, electrician trade school offers several different routes to become an electrician, such as certificate programs that take only a few months, two year associate’s degree programs, or apprenticeship programs that may take a few years of paid, on-the-job training. 

No matter which path you choose, electrician jobs are indeed in high demand. You have many opportunities and resources if you are interested in electrician jobs.

Electrician Apprentice Jobs

The most common route to becoming an electrician is an apprenticeship. Electrician apprentice jobs do indeed require a high school diploma or equivalency certification (like the GED). It is one of the most basic educational requirements you will need to be eligible for electrician apprentice jobs. If you are still in high school, you may want to dedicate special time to courses such as algebra, trigonometry, physics, and English. If you are an adult who didn’t complete high school, there are many low-cost and time-effective resources to earn your diploma.

The next step is how to become an electrician apprentice. An optional but recommended phase is to complete pre-apprenticeship training at a trade school or vocational college. There are many federal grants and scholarships designed to encourage electrician-hopefuls to follow this path. 

Otherwise, searching for “electrician apprentice jobs near me” will likely reveal local apprenticeships through the United States Department of Labor and online job boards. Electrician apprentice jobs also are available through organizations such as the National Electrical Contractors Association, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and Independent Electrical Contractors. 

As part of the application process, you may need to pass a basic aptitude exam, a job interview, and/or meet physical requirements or pass a drug test.

Once accepted as an electrician apprentice, you may need to register as an apprentice in your state (varies by location).

Your apprenticeship will combine on-the-job training with courses online or in the classroom. An electrician apprentice is mentored by a master or journeyman electrician throughout four to five years of training. 

You can train as an electrician in as little as nine months through a trade school program, but it usually takes between five and six years to become a journeyman electrician. Trade school hours may count toward your apprenticeship. 

An electrician apprentice salary is about 30 to 50 percent of a journeyman’s wage to start. As you acquire more skills, you gradually earn pay raises. Beginner electrician apprentice jobs typically earn about $12-15 per hour.

For an electrician apprenticeship, Indiana salary is often high — the shortage of electricians means that training is often low-cost or sponsored, and wages are high to encourage workers to train as electricians. Electricians in the Indianapolis area can expect an average pay of $54,995 per year — 35 percent higher than the regional average pay across all trades, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.