There are three basic training levels. The first is the electrical apprentice. The apprentice is a tradesman who will work under the direct supervision of a master electrician for approximately 3 to 7 years. The qualifications to become an electrical apprentice are simply you must be at least 18 years old and be a high school graduate or have a GED. Next, a journeyman electrician sometimes referred to as a mechanic, will be able to install conduit, lighting and wiring systems in commercial and residential locations without the supervision of the master electrician. Many states require that a journeyman take the test and be licensed. A master electrician will be at least 21 years old with a high school diploma or a GED. He will, also completed either an apprenticeship program and have a journeyman's license with an additional one year of practical hands on experience or earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or had at least five years of practical hands on experience.
Most apprenticeship programs require sponsorship from either a union or an employer. As a journeyman electrician, there are several six months to two year programs available online that enable you to skip the apprenticeship. However, many states require that journeyman take a licensing test and be licensed. There are also online courses for this offered. As master electricians are required to have a bachelor's degree, you probably will not be able to take all that your classes online.
Online Education Options for Electrician
Though options for online degree in electrician programs are limited, there are some that exist. Here are a few online electrician degree offers that you may find interesting:
- Online Certifications degree in Electrician:
- Online Associates degree in Electrician:
- Online Bachelors degree in Electrician:
Also, your local junior college or vo-tech will occasionally offer online courses toward your degree. You should check into schools in the area that may have options for you to train as an electrician online. There may be some in person interaction required for exams and possibly lab work, but as a whole, the school may offer some mentally based courses that you can take right from teh comfort of your own home.
Electrician Career and Salary Information
As an electrician, you can work in the public and private sectors as well as government contracts. Electricians also can choose between residential, commercial and industrial specializations. With the development of residential and commercial properties, the need for well-trained electricians is on the rise.
Although the pay ranges depending on your location will vary, an electrical apprentice will start out earning approximately $9.50. Their maximum pay is approximately $19.50. As a journeyman, you'll earn between $11.30 and $31.75 per hour depending on experience and location. A master electrician will charge anywhere from $49.00 to $65.00 per hour of his time. That is over $100,000 a year to start, which is a rather hefty salary considering that most people earn around $30,000 a year.