Electrician Responsibilties:
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
Electrician Benefits:
Electricians enjoy stable careers with competitive salaries, overtime, and benefits in a growing industry. The field offers clear paths for advancement, from apprentice to master electrician, with corresponding pay increases.
Yes, you need a Washington electrical license.
To begin your career as an electrician, you must apply for and receive a trainee certificate to work supervised by a licensed electrician. The application is less than $45. Then, you can explore these licenses:
Journey or Specialty Electrician. After completing your trainee program, you can sit for your exam to become a journey-level electrician or a specialty electrician. The exam costs around $90. You can earn about $27 an hour. You can work without supervision.
Telecommunications contractor. Instead of working as a general electrician, you may want to work in telecommunications. You can earn $25 an hour in this position.
Electrical contractor. If want to run your own business, you’ll need to become an electrical contractor. You’ll earn around $30 per hour. After getting a bond, you’ll want to designate an electrical administrator or master electrician to ensure that your work is up to code.
Electrical administrator. If you’d like to hire other contractors, you’ll want to become an electrical administrator. You’ll be responsible for ensuring that all work is completed according to the rules and laws in the state. You can $40 an hour in this position.
Telecommunications administrator. You’ll hire other telecommunications contractors and be responsible for their work. You’re looking at an average pay of $28 an hour.
Master electrician. As a master electrician, you will install electrical components in residential and commercial spaces. You will be responsible for the work of others. You must complete the appropriate hours and pass the examination to become certified. You can earn about $40 an hour.
First, you’ll have to attend 96 hours of classes. The University of Washington, Washington State University, and Eastern Washington University top the list of schools to attend. If you’d rather go to a trade school, consider NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center or Perry Technical Institute.
Programs last six months to two years depending on the school. Many schools offer financial aid. You’ll learn the following:
You may need your own tools, so check with your school of choice before attending. While some online classes are available, you’ll want to attend in-person classes for hands-on experience. Before attending a college or technical school, you must have a high school diploma or GED.
You’ll work as an apprentice under the supervision of a qualified electrician. You’ll diagnose and repair electrical problems, perform the required maintenance, and even be trained on installation procedures. You’ll need 8,000 hours in your apprenticeship to become a journey level electrician, with 4,000 of these hours in the commercial space. To become a master electrician, you’ll need to work four years as a general journey electrician.
You’ll receive your license from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Yes. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries provides a free resource that will provide you with all of the necessary information.
You’ll need to renew your license every three years. You’ll need to complete 24 hours of continuing education classes during this time.
Joining the IBEW, or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, has its benefits. You’ll have access to an approved apprenticeship, good jobs, and fair pay. However, you may be limited as to where you can work.
After completing your apprenticeship and obtaining your journeyman license, you can work under the supervision of a master electrician. You may choose to continue to work for those individuals or companies where you served your apprenticeship, or you may branch out on your own.
You’ll be qualified to diagnose problems and make repairs. You’ll also can perform maintenance. You cannot perform installations until you become a master electrician. Once you find a job that garners your interest, you will have to place a bid on that project.
In order to qualify, you’ll have to become bonded or have the appropriate insurance. You’ll also need an administrator or a master electrician willing to review your work.
Electrical work can be dangerous, so it’s important that you don’t cut corners in your work. Even if you’re careful, accidents can happen. You’ll need insurance to cover any related expenses.
In the state of Washington, the need for licensed electricians is expected to grow by almost one percent each year until 2026. Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services offers trade shows at the Washington State Convention Center for you to keep up with the latest trends.
Your Washington electrical license is valid in the following states:
If you change your name or address, or if you misplace your card, you can contact Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
You’ll need to renew your Washington electrical license every three years. The renewal will cost you about $84.
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