In short
A journeyman electrician is a licensed electrician who has completed the required supervised experience, often around four years or 8,000 hours in states that set a statewide rule, and passed an exam on the National Electrical Code, electrical theory and local rules. Journeymen work without direct supervision but usually under a master or contractor's license. Requirements differ by state and sometimes city, so check your state board.
| 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 |
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.
What the exam covers
- The edition of the National Electrical Code your state has adopted
- Wiring methods, grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection
- Conductor sizing, box fill and conduit fill calculations
- Motors, transformers and special occupancies
- Electrical theory, including Ohm's law
Most exams are open-book with the code book, which means knowing your way around it fast matters more than memorizing it.
How to prove your hours
Keep pay stubs, W-2s and letters from employers or your apprenticeship sponsor. Many states want the hours broken down by type of work.
Start building your hours
Tell us your ZIP and we will send electrical programs and apprenticeships nearby.
Straight answers
How long does it take to become a journeyman electrician?
Usually four to five years, often through an apprenticeship.
Is the journeyman electrician exam open book?
Many are open-book with the code book. Check with your state's testing provider.
What is the difference between journeyman and master electrician?
A master has more experience and has passed another exam, and can usually pull permits and run a contracting business. See master electrician.