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To become an electrician, you'll need specialized training and key technical skills. This is where electrician trade schools come in.
At a trade school, you'll learn to install electrical power systems, inspect circuit breakers, and repair wiring and other electrical equipment.
The best trade schools for electricians hone industry-focused skills and technical knowledge. You may even be able to attend an online electrician school. And once you complete your program, you can continue your hands-on training in an apprenticeship.
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Top Trade Schools for Electricians
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These rankings include
#1 Best Electrician Trade Schools of 2023
Florida International Training Institute
Miami, FL - Campus
Cost per Credit: $9,320
Credits to Graduate: 900 hours
Program Length: 11-18 months
FITI's electricity technician program focuses on construction for residential and commercial projects. You must complete 400 lecture hours and 500 lab hours to earn the diploma.
The curriculum blends theoretical and hands-on training. You'll learn about tools, equipment, and the principles and application of electricity. You'll also study direct-current circuits, alternating-current circuits, and residential and commercial wiring.
To apply, you must be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
#2 Best Electrician Trade Schools of 2023
Orleans Technical College
Philadelphia, PA - Campus
Cost per Credit: $504
Credits to Graduate: 26
Program Length: 6-13 months
Orleans Tech's electrician diploma teaches you to install, upgrade, maintain, and replace electrical systems in homes and commercial spaces.
The six-month program offers only daytime classes, whereas the 13-month program offers evening courses. Both programs require 720 hours, with required coursework in mathematics and blueprint reading, electrical measuring devices, residential and commercial wiring systems, and AC theory.
You can learn to do wire testing, perform circuit breaking, and use voltmeters in the college's shop and labs. After graduation, you can sit for the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute and OSHA 10-Hour safety certification exams.
You must be at least 18 to enroll. Applicants also need a high school diploma or GED certificate and a driver's license.
#3 Best Electrician Trade Schools of 2023
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $506-583
Credits to Graduate: 38-41
Program Length: 15 months
MSU's electrical technology certificate trains you to become a journey electrician in Michigan after 2-4 semesters in the classroom and one summer semester at an internship.
Throughout the program, you'll learn about electrical wiring, electrical applications and systems, agricultural communication, energy efficiency and conservation, and technical mathematics. The university's 4,000-square-foot lab features programmable logic controls, variable frequency drives, and standard AC and DC motors.
MSU accepts current high school seniors and high school graduates as first-year students. To qualify as a transfer student, you need at least 24 college credits.
#4 Best Electrician Trade Schools of 2023
Paris Junior College
Paris, TX - 2 years
- Campus
Cost per Credit: $84-$184
Credits to Graduate: 24
Program Length: 10 months
At PJC, you can earn an electrical technology certificate in two semesters by completing four courses each term. The required eight courses cover residential, commercial, and industrial wiring. By the end of the program, you will understand how to test and maintain electrical systems, work with motors and transformers, and read commercial and industrial blueprints.
With 52,580 electricians working in Texas, this state has the second-highest employment of electricians in the country, according to the BLS. To get admitted, you must have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
#5 Best Electrician Trade Schools of 2023
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA - 2 years
- Campus
Cost per Credit:
In State | $95
Out of State | $361
Credits to Graduate: 17
Program Length: 1-2 years
You can complete IVC's electrical technology certificate in 2-3 semesters, and your credits can transfer to the California State University and University of California systems.
You can choose from two certificates: a one-year electrician trainee or a two-year energy solar photovoltaic systems technician certificate. Over three semesters, the energy solar photovoltaic systems technician certificate covers residential wiring, OSHA standards for construction safety, grid-tied solar photovoltaic systems, and advanced solar photovoltaics.
The electrician trainee certificate teaches you residential wiring, basic electric circuits, OSHA standards, commercial and industrial wiring, and basic electric circuits.
To enroll as a new student, you must be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, or have never attended IVC or have taken a break for at least one semester.
#6 Best Electrician Trade Schools of 2023
James Rumsey Technical Institute
Martinsburg, WV - 2 years
- Campus
Total Cost: $7,532
Credits to Graduate: 1,215 hours
Program Length: 11 months
JRTI's electrical technician program gives you 1,215 hours of training, including cooperative experiences off campus. You'll spend about 30 hours training every week in this full-time program that lasts just under a year.
Coursework will teach you National Electric Code standards, construction math, and how to use hand tools, power tools, and construction drawings. You'll also learn to perform residential, commercial, and industrial wiring.
The program admits up to 22 students on a first-come, first-served basis. You must be able to lift at least 40 pounds and be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED certificate to qualify for admission.
#7 Best Electrician Trade Schools of 2023
CET-Soledad
Soledad, CA - 2 years
- Campus
Total Cost: $15,375
Credits to Graduate: 900 hours
Program Length: 8-9 months
CET offers an electrician certificate, which includes toolkits, books, and uniforms at no extra cost. The program combines classroom learning and hands-on training in which you plan, install, troubleshoot, and repair electrical systems. Lessons also cover topics like photovoltaic systems, commercial and residential electrical systems, and job preparation. At the end of the program, you'll have the knowledge to earn your electrician trainee card.
The center's open enrollment lets you start at any time. You do not need a GED certificate or high school diploma to enroll. The Soledad campus offers daytime classes Monday through Friday, while the Colton and San Diego campuses offer night-time courses.
#8 Best Electrician Trade Schools of 2023
Withlacoochee Technical College
Inverness, FL - 2 years
- Campus
Total Cost:
In State | $3,504
Out of State | $14,052
Credits to Graduate: 1,200
Program Length: 10 months
WTC's electrician certificate provides a broad education to teach you about working with electrical systems and management, labor issues, and finance. The program assesses your progression through exams, job sheets, reviews, and quizzes. Lessons cover shop safety, electrical theory, Ohm's Law, and electrical basics like conduit bending, sizing, motor circuit design, and control wiring.
You must complete mathematics and reading language arts courses to fulfill Florida certificate requirements. All applicants must also meet physical requirements, including being able to lift 50 pounds. The college enrolls new students in August and January.
#9 Best Electrician Trade Schools of 2023
Washburn Institute of Technology
Topeka, KS - 2 years
- Campus
Total Cost: $4,560
Credits to Graduate: 30
Program Length: 1 year
Washburn Tech's electrical technology program only takes one year, whether you study in the mornings, afternoons, or evenings. And if you're a high school student, you'll pay no tuition.
In this program, you'll gain hands-on training in the GreenApple Lab, which opened in 2018 thanks to a partnership with Greenlee, a woodworking and electrical tools manufacturing company. Upon graduation, you'll have the skills to get OSHA-30, NCCER Core, NCCER Field Safety, and NCCER Electricity Level 1 certifications.
Courses cover OSHA regulations, alternating current and direct-current circuits, National Electric Code regulations, reading construction drawings, commercial wiring, residential wiring, and national electrical code standards.
Morning and afternoon programs begin every August, while evening programs start in January. To get admitted, you need to pass the ACCUPLACER exam.
#10 Best Electrician Trade Schools of 2023
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA - 2 years
- Campus
Cost per Credit:
In State | $46
Out of State | $378
Credits to Graduate: 18
Program Length: 1 year
At COC, you can earn the four-credit certification of specialization in electrical technology and use those credits toward an 18-credit electrical technology certificate of achievement. The curriculum blends the basics of electrical technology, construction engineering, blueprint reading, electrical measurements, and California building and electrical code standards.
To enroll, you must be a high school graduate who has passed the California High School Proficiency Exam. You must also be at least 18 years old.
Reasons to Attend Electrician Trade School
- Electricians report an above-average median salary and growing demand, making electrician trade school a good career investment.
- Trade school prepares you for hands-on training through an apprenticeship to meet state licensure requirements.
- Electricians can see a high return on investment if they choose an affordable trade school for their electrician coursework.
- Electrician trade school can take as little as six months before apprenticeship training.
- You can attend an online electrician school for the greatest flexibility while completing coursework.
Did You Know...
Electricians earned a median salary of $60,040 in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — that's much higher than the national median salary of $45,760!
Why Accreditation Matters for Electrician Trade School
You should always choose an accredited trade school for electrician training.
Accredited colleges meet high standards for educating students. By choosing an accredited institution, you can also qualify for federal financial aid programs.
Look for community colleges that hold regional accreditation or trade schools accredited by national agencies such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and the Council on Occupational Education.
Learn how to check a school's accreditation status before applying.
What You'll Learn at Electrician Trade School
In addition to covering basic electrical skills and technologies, electrician trade school prepares you for an apprenticeship. Once you finish your apprenticeship, you can apply for state licensure.
In an electrician program (also called electrical technology), you'll learn to master various electrical equipment, install hardware, and troubleshoot problems. A final project might involve working as a team to wire a simulated home.
Here are some common subjects you can expect to study at electrician trade school:
- AC/DC theory
- Blueprint reading
- Electronics
- Motor controls
- Residential and commercial installations
- Solar power
- Transformers
You can also pursue a specialization in electrical technology. Specializations involve advanced coursework in a single topic area, such as highway systems, automotive, or maintenance.
Can You Attend Online Electrician School?
Many community colleges and trade schools offer online electrician programs. These programs offer online courses in subjects like electrical technology, circuitry, and safety practices.
The online learning format prioritizes flexibility for busy students and working professionals training for a new career path.
Once you complete your program, you'll begin an apprenticeship to gain hands-on experience. Many online electrician programs connect students with apprenticeship opportunities so they can fulfill state licensure requirements.
Did You Know...
Electricians are projected to see around 80,000 job openings every year from 2021-2031, according to the BLS.
How Much Do Electricians Make?
Electricians earned a median annual salary of $60,040 in May 2021, according to the BLS.
Several industries hire electricians, including the public sector, manufacturing, and electrical contractors. The field also reports a 7% projected job growth between 2021 and 2031.
The highest-paying states for electricians include Illinois, New York, and Oregon. In these states, electricians earn an average salary of over $80,000 per year.
Licensure for Electricians
In most states, electricians need a license to work. The licensure process typically requires passing an exam and applying for a state-issued electrician license.
Licensure exams generally test candidates on electrical codes, professional standards, and safety practices.
After receiving your license, you may need to complete continuing education requirements to keep your credentials current. Continuing education courses cover topics such as updates to the electrical code and safety standards.
Most states offer several electrician licenses, depending on your experience and specialization. In addition to a general journey-level electrician license, some states offer electrical contractor and master electrician licenses.
Electricians can also pursue optional certifications to demonstrate specialized skills. Common electrician certifications include:
- Solar photovoltaic systems
- Video security systems
- Electrical generating systems
- Electrical power testing
Frequently Asked Questions About Electrician Trade School
Electricians must generally train through apprenticeship programs, but some attend a trade school before starting their apprenticeship. Many community colleges and trade schools offer electrician certificate and associate programs, typically lasting six months to two years.
The cost of attending an electrician trade school varies depending on the program and school. Community college tuition and fees cost an average of $3,501 in 2020-2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Private trade schools may charge higher tuition rates.
Electricians typically spend 4-5 years completing their training and experience requirements. An electrician certificate program takes about 6-12 months to complete, and an associate degree in electrical technology takes around two years.
After earning your certificate or degree, you can start an apprenticeship program to meet hands-on experience requirements for state licensure.
Online electrician courses can effectively prepare you for a hands-on apprenticeship program. By completing electrician courses online, you can work toward your apprenticeship requirements while benefiting from the flexibility of a distance-learning format.
Being an electrician may be difficult for some, as the career requires detailed fine motor skills and physical work, often in cramped spaces. Electricians must perform physical tasks often and follow safety procedures to protect themselves and others. That said, electricians report an above-average salary.