Embark on a successful career as an electrician with our comprehensive guide to the top 10 Electrician Schools in Arkansas in 2023. Explore the best institutions offering quality training programs and hands-on experience. Find the perfect school to shape your future in the field of electrical work at the Best Electrician Schools in Arkansas.
Electricians in Arkansas are increasingly needed to increase the use of electrically powered devices and systems in businesses, companies, and homes.
By 2024 about 6,220 jobs will be created in addition to the 840 existing jobs for electricians. This invariably means that anyone studying to become an electrician in Arkansas will not be out of employment upon graduation.
Also, following the job security and salary structure, Arkansas is an excellent city to consider becoming a professional electrician. Still, first, you must have the proper requirements to apply to the best schools in the city.
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Table of Contents
Working as an Electrician in Arkansas
The need for more Electricians keeps growing in Arkansas due to the use of electrically powered devices and systems in all divisions and fields.
As the demand increases, more career opportunities are created for qualified and licensed electricians to take up jobs in Arkansas.
Therefore, if you’re wondering if now is an excellent time to journey to become an electrician, then you should rest assured that the industry is waiting for you with open arms.
Most Electricians who do not want to work in an establishment can work as independent contractors or own electrical contracting businesses.
Also, you can journey to become a journeyman or master electrician or work for construction companies, developers, or government agencies working as a residential or commercial electrician.
You can be sure that being an electrician in Arkansas earns you a high income and job security.Â
What is the Job Outlook for Electricians in Arkansas?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth for electricians in Arkansas is on an upward slope, with an increase of 16% between 2014 and 2024.
The 16% increase will create about 6,220 jobs for Electricians in addition to the 840 existing jobs.
What this means is that Electricians have a variety of employment opportunities and job security in Arkansas.
What are the Requirements to Become an Electrician in Arkansas?
Most education schools, colleges, and universities in Kansas three students on the following streams to become professional electricians;
- Master Electrician
- Electrical apprentice
- Journeyman electrician
- Air conditioning electrician
- Residential master electrician
- Industrial maintenance electrician
- Residential journeyman electrician
While enrolling in any of the schools, chances are that you will be trained to become either of these types of electricians.
Whichever journey you take to become an electrician in Arkansas, here is a step-by-step guide according to the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners that is approved to become an electrician.
1. Complete An Academic Or Apprenticeship Program
Whether you want to become a Journeyman electrician or Master electrician, you must first complete training in any of the best electrician schools, colleges, universities, or apprenticeship programs in Arkansas.
You can enroll in a vocational or career school that offers coursework and practical work experience for electricians in training. Alternatively, you can also apply to online schools.
It requires that you complete the program before you can proceed to become a professional electrician.
2. Apply To Get Your License
You should apply to get your license upon completion of a trade school or university as an electrician in training. Licensing requires you to have completed a series of training hours in a school or apprenticeship program.
For instance, journeyman electricians without having completed an apprenticeship program must have 8 years or 16,000 hours of field experience.
Master electricians, on the other hand, require 6 years of work experience in construction and 2 years of experience working as a licensed journeyman. Alternatively, you can get your license as a master’s electrician if you have a degree in electrical engineering and 2 years of work experience as a journeyman electrician.
Suppose you want to proceed to become a licensed Independent Electrical Contractor, in addition to the master electrician requirements to become a licensed electrician in Arkansas. In that case, you must also have 5 years of experience working as a master electrician.
Thankfully, all the schools, colleges, and universities on our list with electrician programs have approved apprenticeship programs that provide all the necessary hours for this licensing process.
3. Pass The Licensing Exam
To become a journeyman in Arkansas, you must take the journeyman electrician exam.
It’s not enough to have the Requirements to apply to electrical schools in Arkansas, study, and use to get a license. Upon completing your program, you must write an exam to qualify for a permit.
Each licensing requires that you pass an exam, so receiving continuing education and technical instruction is essential.
4. Renew Your License
In Arkansas, all Master Electricians, Journeyman Electricians, Residential Master Electricians, and Residential Journeyman Electricians must obtain 8 hours of continuing education (CE) every code cycle before license renewal. All hours must cover the current National Electrical Code (NEC).
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Top 10 Electrician Schools In Arkansas
Without further ado, here is a list of the best electrician schools, colleges, and universities in Arkansas that will train you on the best skills and expertise to become an electrician as long as you have the proper requirements to apply;
#1. Arkansas State University-Beebe
- Location: 1000 Iowa Street, Beebe, Arkansas 72012-1000
- Program: Electrical Apprenticeship – Certificate Program
Arkansas State University is one of the top electrician universities in Arkansas, with a student population of 3,935, offering various programs.
The electrician program is a 2-year certificate program with classes on the Beebe campus in Beebe, Arkansas.
For in-state students, tuition for the electrical program at Arkansas State University is about $3,570, and out-of-district students pay $5,730 plus an additional cost of $1,300 for books and supplies.
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, and the university electrician program are accredited.
#2. University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville
- Location: 2005 White Drive, Batesville, Arkansas 72503-3350
- Program: Industrial Technology – Associate Program
University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville offers one of the best programs to groom you to become a professional electrician.
With a total student enrollment of about 1,387 students, the University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville boasts one of the city’s most prominent universities.
The electrical program offered at the university is a 2-year program accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.
Tuition for in-district students costs about $2,466, in-state students $2,790 and out-of-state students $4,218. In addition to the tuition fees, students sometimes get to pay an extra $1,400.
#3. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
- Location: 5210 Grand Ave, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72913-3649
- Program: Electronics Technology – Associate Program
The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is one of Arkansas’s best electrician schools, colleges, and universities. This program is rated nationwide as one of the best that trains students to become professional electricians in Arkansas.
Students who enroll in the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith electrician program graduate with an associate degree. Unlike most electrician programs in Arkansas, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith program for electricians is for 4 years.
Tuition for in-state students costs about $5,577 and $12,650 for Out-of-State study, with an additional $1,605 for books and supplies.
Keep in mind that the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is open to just undergraduate students. An extra advantage, the school is also accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.
#4. Pulaski Technical College
- Location: 3000 W Scenic Dr, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72118-3347
- Program: Electrical Systems – Certificate Program, Construction Management – Electrical – Associate Program
Pulaski Technical College offers two tracks to learn, earn a degree, and become an electrician in Arkansas.
The Pulaski Technical College electrician program at Pulaski Technical College is a 2-year program accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.
Tuition for in-state students is about $5,170, and out-of-state students pay $6,340 plus an additional $800 for books and supplies. Pulaski Technical College is rated high in Arkansas and is one of the best electrician schools, colleges, and universities.
#5. College of the Ouachitas
- Location: One College Circle, Malvern, Arkansas 72104-0816
- Program Electrical Apprenticeship – Certificate Program
If you’re looking for a school that trains you on hands-on practicals about the best practices and skills required to practice as an electrician in Arkansas, then you should consider applying to the College of the Ouachitas.
The College of the Ouachitas is one of the best colleges in Arkansas that trains students to become professional electricians. The Certificate-level Electrical Apprenticeship is a 2-year program that offers practical approaches to electrical engineering.
Tuition for in-state students costs $3,680, and that for Out-of-State students costs $6,530 plus an additional $1,200 for books and supplies.
The college has its courses accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.
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Frequently Asked Questions About How To Become An Electrician In Arkansas
What Organizations Should I Identify With As An Electrician In Arkansas?
You wouldn’t want to be a loner in Arkansas. Thankfully some organizations bring Electricians of all levels and training together for identification.
If you’re an electrician in Arkansas, you should identify with the following communities to boost your career growth and professional experience;
IBEW District 10 Arkansas
IBEW Local 700 Jonesboro
The IBEW Local 295 Little Rock
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Arkansas Chapter
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Midsouth Chapter
What Is The Salary Structure Of Electricians In Arkansas?
Electricians in Arkansas who have their professional license to practice earn an average annual salary of $45,550 in 2019. The top 10% who have a master’s license and wealth of experience on the job earn about $63,150, and the lower top 10% earn around $26,240.
However, depending on what aspect or type of electrician you are, your years of experience, and the region where you reside in Arkansas, how much you earn can be higher or considerably lower.
How Much Do Electricians Make In Arkansas According To Occupation?
Depending on your occupation or specifications as an electrician, how much you earn may differ. Here is the major professionalization in the field a s how much you stand to earn on average.
Occupation Mean Hourly Wage
Electricians $21.24
Helpers–Electricians $13.25
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment $24.61
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment $27.62
Also, Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay $35.21
Some electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers $31.45
How Many Electricians Earn By Region In Arkansas?
Yes, the region in which you live in Arkansas can influence how much you earn as an electrician. Where is the average salary structure of electricians by region in some major Arkansas cities?
Region Mean Hourly Wage
Memphis, TN-MS-AR $22.93
Texarkana, TX-AR $24.02
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO $19.63
Fort Smith, AR-OK $21.53
Hot Springs, AR $17.60
Jonesboro, AR $20.24
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR $20.35
Pine Bluff, AR $29.09
What Are The Requirements For An Arkansas Electrical License?
An electrical license qualifies you to practice or become a professional electrician in Arkansas. Upon completion of the program, the next step is to get your license from the accredited board to commence practice.Â
Here is a step-by-step guide on the requirements for an Arkansas electrical license;
– Complete an electrician training program and begin an electrician apprenticeship program
– Gain the job experience necessary for a journeyman electrician license (8,000 hours in apprenticeship)
– Take and pass the journeyman exam
– After 6 years in the construction industry (2 years as a journeyman) or an electrical engineering degree plus 2 years of construction experience, you can apply for a master electrician license.
– Take and pass the master electrician exam.
