Starting a new career in the electrical trade comes with a lot of questions, particularly about electrician apprenticeship salary. How much will I make? How long before I can move to the next level? Does my location make a difference in pay?
Most new to the trade start their career as an apprentice, working under a licensed electrician. An IEC electrical apprenticeship usually takes four years to complete, encompassing at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) and 576 hours of classroom instruction. Once the apprentice meets these requirements, he or she can become a licensed electrician.
What is the expected electrician apprentice salary?
Electrician apprentice pay varies from location to location and what type of electrical work is done. Apprentices work whit electricians who are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems in various settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial environments. Their duties encompass reading blueprints, installing wiring and lighting systems, inspecting electrical components for safety, identifying electrical problems using testing devices, and adhering to state and local building regulations based on the National Electrical Code®. An apprentice working commercial construction in Colorado can expect a different salary than an apprentice working residential service calls in Alabama, for example.
Regardless of where you are and what type of electrician you want to be, you earn while you learn. Apprenticeship salary is a percentage of what the licensed tradesman makes. Starting wages are typically 50% of a journeyman’s rate, with increases as experience and skills grow. For example, if the average journeyman earns $32 per hour, a starting apprentice might earn around $16 per hour.
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics accessed March 2025 show the mean hourly wage for all licensed electricians to be $32.60 an hour for an annual salary of $67,810. Rates on the high-end tip $50 an hour and $105,000 per year. Again, the apprentice will make a larger percentage as they gain experience each year.
Skilled electricians will always be in demand, so starting an apprenticeship will always be a good decision. To get started in the electrical career, complete the interest form to be connected to a local IEC chapter for help. IEC has training centers across the country where you will learn the technical knowledge required to become an electrician and be set up with an apprenticeship to begin your journey.
