To help future electricians find the right place to study, we’ve compiled this list of the best trade schools for electricians in the United States.
These trade schools for electricians provide basic practical programs for students, offering a classroom environment for studying electrical theories and systems and familiarizing themselves with the standards of the National Electronic Code.
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Why Electricians are Important
Electricity affects almost everything in the modern world. This power source is often taken for granted until a problem arises, and that’s when we need those with the skills of an electrician.Â
Becoming an electrician is a great career plan because they are in high demand, and as long as our civilization depends on electricity, that will not change. Be sure to check out the Best Engineering Trade Schools In The USA
Which Electrician Gets Paid the Most?
Industrial electrician
$60,216 per year
An industrial electrician repairs and maintains electrical equipment in commercial and industrial conditions. They earn high wages partly because of constant demand, as many manufacturing operations involve electrical equipment.Â
The work of an industrial electrician on oil rigs can be particularly well paid for due to the isolation of the environment, the need for special safety knowledge, and the industry’s profitability.
Electrical foreman
$58,272 per year
The electrical foreman oversees the work of other electricians on indoor and outdoor projects, such as construction sites and power plants. They plan and design electrical systems and supervise their installation and maintenance.
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Electrical Inspector
57,500 per year
The duties of the electrical inspector are related to the inspection of electrical wiring, electrical equipment, lighting, fuse blocks, and other elements of the electrical infrastructure in the building.Â
In this career, your responsibility is to ensure that all electrical components in the building meet minimum quality and safety standards.
Electrical Estimator
$ 57,500
An electric appraiser is a high-tech career path. In this profession, you work to help determine how much an electrical installation will cost for construction projects.
You evaluate the materials employees need to do the work and the cost of labor to compile your proposals and estimates.
Maintenance Electrician
$53,076 per year
A maintenance electrician may work in any commercial or manufacturing facility to install, repair, and maintain electrical equipment. This job is similar to the work of an industrial electrician, so the demand for this position is also high.
Lineman
$53,352 per year
The lineman repairs and maintains street electrical equipment, such as power lines and poles. Work is well paid for because it can be dangerous, requires physical training, and requires constant attention to safe practices.
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Electrical Technician
$51,727 per year
Electrical technicians work on the construction, repair, testing, and maintenance of electrical equipment, usually under the guidance of an electrical engineer. This work is often performed in the laboratory, production, or repair shops.
Wind turbine technician
$50,174 per year
A wind turbine technician installs, repairs, and inspects wind turbines. This work involves complex repairs and special knowledge, so it is well paid to compensate for all the subtleties.
Marine technician
$45,052 per year
A marine technician installs and maintains electrical systems on boats that help the power and operate onboard equipment. Thanks to special knowledge, they can often find a high-paying job.
Commercial electrician
$39,935 per year
The responsibilities of a commercial electrician are very similar to those of an industrial electrician, but they do not have much experience in the production environment. High demand is the main reason that this work is well paid.
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How Much Does Electrician Trade School Cost?
Expect to spend about $10,000 or more to earn a junior degree at a public college and $5,000 or more to get a vocational school degree.
College, trade school, and education school are all options for novice electricians. Electricians are not required to have a four-year college degree. Completing a college program, on the other hand, can lead to greater job prospects.
How To Become An Electrician Without Going To School
You do not need a university degree to become an electrician, but the industry has strict certification, training, and licensing requirements. Before becoming a student, an electrical student must learn the basics of electrical safety and read drawings and other aspects of the profession.
Apply for a trade school or apprenticeship.
You must apply for training to become an electrician without going to school. You have two options: vocational school or study.
The trade school will be held on campus with laboratories to teach you practical skills and training. This is a great option for people who learn best from experienced teachers in the classroom and learn when they work with their teachers and peers.
You can also become a student, which will still require attending courses for usually three to four years. It is more difficult to enroll because programs include a combination of learning and work experience, and it takes years to complete.
Prepare for the test.
Once you have completed your state-approved vocational school or training program, you must study the National Code for Electricians to take the test to obtain a license.
Many vocational schools will teach you the national code while you study so that you can start learning what it takes to get a licensing exam before you graduate.Â
Some decide to go directly to the exam after graduating from trade school, but still, need to gain proven work experience to obtain a license.
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Get a license
After careful study, you can now take the state exam in electricity and (hopefully) pass. To become certified in California, you must also gain paid work experience to become a licensed electrician.
Best Trade Schools For Electricians in the USA
After thorough research, reviews, rankings, and value offers, we have curated a list of the best trade schools for electricians in the USA, including the requirements, cost & how to apply to these schools.
Below is the list of the best trade schools in the USA.
#1 Davis Technical College (Utah)
The Davis Technical College Electrician Student Program contains all the elements you would expect from a great school of electricians.
The program combines classroom and paid on-the-job training to obtain maintenance or construction work qualifications.
The program’s teaching staff includes full-time teachers who guide students to meet their academic requirements and part-time teachers who share their real-life experiences with their students.
Even better, Davis Technical College provides this first-class education at an amazingly affordable price. Basic tuition costs only $ 3,400, plus additional costs for books and fees.Â
And for those who need it, Davis has many scholarship options, including for adults working on the degree and for high school students.
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#2 Ridgewater College (Willmar, MN)
The Ridgewater College program for electricians and electrical engineers focuses on problem-solving. It covers all the intended elements of the program, including reading drawings, connections, and building codes.Â
But teachers teach these competencies by focusing on problem-solving and developing students’ critical thinking skills. The program offers two learning options. The traditional program includes day classes on campus and practical training.
Thanks to the new approach to electrical engineering, students can attend theoretical classes online, on their schedule, and conduct practical classes in person.
Whichever option they choose, students will benefit from Ridgewater’s excellent resources. Ridgewater instructors bring their students more than 100 years of shared experience as electricians.
Students can work on the latest efficient and environmentally friendly technologies by working with local businesses and institutions on campus.
#3 Rock Valley College (Rockford, Illinois)
The Rock Valley College’s electrical engineering program combines classroom and on-the-job training to prepare students for the apprenticeship program.
During their studies, students of the program accumulate more than 8,000 hours of practical training, which ensures that they complete their studies fully prepared to solve any problems they may face in their future careers.
Among the key skills students learn in Rock Valley is the importance of codes and connections. The Rock Valley training program was developed with the National Association of Electrical Contractors and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Engineers.
Under the guidance of these organizations, students ensure that they have the relevant information modern employers need.
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#4 Washburn Institute of Technology
Washburn Tech is part of Washburn University, which has about 6,000 students and is located in Topeka, Kansas. The university offers professional training in a format convenient for students.
Washburn Tech also provides an online electrician’s degree to help novice electricians get started in this lucrative, practical field.
Electrical Technology is Washburn Tech’s professional training program that prepares students for careers in maintenance and construction.
The Southern program, open to high school and adult students, requires two semesters. Topics covered include printing, commercial wiring, household wiring, the National Electrical Code II, and the International Housing Code.
In addition, students may receive professional licensing upon completion of the program. Most importantly, the Higher Education Commission accredited the Washburn Tech Technical Center, and the National Center for Construction Education and Research accredited the curriculum.
#5 Salina Area Technical College
SATC is a public technical college with approximately 800 students in Salina, Kansas. The institution offers diplomas for junior specialists and certificates of professional training, and students can receive an electrician’s degree in two years.
Electrical Technology is a professional program at SATC that teaches students how to calculate, use correct electrical terminology, and understand drawings, diagrams, and diagrams.
In addition, the offered courses include technical mathematics, commercial posting, interpretation of drawings, and technical sheets.
After graduation, students can work as apprentice electricians, electricians for water systems, or technicians for electricians and devices. Meanwhile, the degree of junior specialist is obtained after completing the program with 60 credits.
In addition, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and satisfactory ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer scores. Students who have received college credits from another authorized institution may transfer courses with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
#6 Central Louisiana Technical Community College
CLTCC is a public community college in Alexandria, Louisiana, with eight sites that provide ready-made education for approximately 2,000 students. An electrician’s diploma with 45 credits is one of the offers of the college.
Future electricians can receive a technical diploma and certificates of competency in seven categories, including industrial electricity, solar systems, and commercial wiring, through the CLTCC electricians’ career development program.
Electrical tracks, circuit interpretation, technical mathematics for electricians, and an introduction to programmable logic controllers are among the topics covered in these classes.
Meanwhile, to obtain a diploma, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0, and to complete the program, an electrician requires 1350 hours. Students can earn a degree in about two years if they take 15 credits per semester.
However, admission requires a high school diploma, GED or HiSET, and ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer results. Most importantly, the Vocational Education Council granted CLTCC accreditation.
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#7 TESST College of Technology
The TESST College of Technology is a technical college in the United States. They strive to provide high-quality education in healthcare, criminal justice, information technology, and other professions at TESST College of Technology.
Thanks to their trade in electricity, you will develop skills that will allow you to find new job options. You will learn the practical skills you will need to succeed in your career through group discussions, lectures, and hands-on activities with equipment often used in this field.
Meanwhile, TESST College, based in Baltimore, Maryland, offers commercial and industrial wiring programs for potential commercial electrical contractors.
Installation and maintenance of transformers are also covered in the program. First, TESST College of Technology is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
Conclusion
In the 21st century, there has never been much demand for commercial electricians. An appropriate program to become an electrician is necessary. Quality education can distinguish between entry-level electricity and electricity with knowledge and practical experience to solve more complex systems and technologies.
Those who want to become an electrician must enroll in an electrician’s program, which can be offered by vocational schools, an electrician’s school, or a college.
It usually doesn’t take them more than a high school diploma to get into these electricians’ programs, although it depends on the requirements of the school of electricians.
The training of electricians in trade schools or colleges will include practical training and some study of electrical code, electrical theory, and electrical technology in general.
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Trade Schools for Electricians FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Study To Become An Electrician?
Although it may take nine months to a year to get an electrician’s degree from a vocational school, this is only the first step. Expect paid tuition after graduation, which can last four to five years. After one year of study, the student can work under the supervision of an apprentice electrician. After graduation, they become apprentices-electricians.
Which States Do Electricians Make The Most Money in?
The average salary of an electrician in New York, the highest-paid state, increased by 10.3% in the last five years, from 2013 to 2018. Electricians’ wages have risen even more in Minnesota’s Hawaii 4 and 6, where the average electrician’s salary has risen 18% and 24.2% over the past five years, respectively.
Can I Study Electrician Degree Online?
Electricity degrees are available in university and online formats, but a hybrid may always be needed. Online diplomas are suitable for those with current work or family responsibilities who want to study at their own pace at a convenient time. However, those who receive an electrician’s degree online must take some personal training, as practical training is necessary for this area.
References
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