In short
An electrician apprenticeship usually lasts four or five years. BLS says apprentices typically get at least 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year. You can apply through a union joint training center run by the IBEW and NECA, or a merit shop program through IEC or ABC. Pay starts at a share of the journeyman rate and rises each period.
| Middle pay | $63,190 a year, roughly $30.38 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | High school or GED to start, then apprenticeship |
| People in the trade | About 821,000 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 9.2% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 72,700, counting retirements |
| Typical length | 4 to 5 years (about 8,000 work hours) |
| Classroom | At least 144 hours a year, often more in union programs |
| Usual entry test | Algebra and reading comprehension aptitude test |
From the BLS Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.
Three main routes in
| Route | Who runs it | How you get in | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union JATC (inside wireman) | Local IBEW union and NECA contractors, through the Electrical Training Alliance | Apply to the local training center, take the aptitude test, interview, get ranked | Wage scale and benefits set by the local agreement; classes often nights or blocks |
| IEC | Independent Electrical Contractors chapters | Usually get hired by a member contractor, then enroll | Classes once or twice a week; tuition often paid or shared by employer |
| ABC | Associated Builders and Contractors chapters | Same as IEC: hired first, then enrolled | Pay and benefits vary by company |
Some areas also have union programs for residential wiring, low-voltage (sound and communications) and outside line work. Power line work is a separate apprenticeship with its own training centers.
What the hours look like
Each year you log roughly 2,000 hours working for a contractor and sit through classroom time on electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, blueprint reading, motors and controls, and safety. Many programs require you to pass each year's classes before your pay steps up.
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Pay while you learn
Apprentices usually start somewhere around 40 to 50 percent of the journeyman rate and climb every six months or every 1,000 hours. With the U.S. median electrician wage at $63,190 a year in May 2025, that means first-year pay is well under the median and final-year pay close to it. Plug in your local journeyman rate in the apprentice pay calculator to see each step.
After you top out
Finishing the apprenticeship gets you a certificate of completion. In most states you then take a journeyman electrician exam based on the National Electrical Code. Licensing rules are set by states and sometimes cities, so check with your state licensing board.
Straight answers
How long is an electrician apprenticeship?
Usually four to five years, which works out to about 8,000 hours on the job plus classroom training.
Is the IBEW apprenticeship hard to get into?
In many cities, yes. Applicants are ranked by test scores and interviews, so preparing for the aptitude test matters. Our IBEW aptitude test guide covers what is on it.
Do electrician apprentices pay tuition?
Union programs usually charge little beyond books. Merit shop programs may charge tuition that employers often help pay.
Can I become an electrician without an apprenticeship?
Some people start in a trade school program and then work as an electrical helper to build hours. Most states still require documented work hours before licensing.