If you're considering a career in the electrical industry, you're making a smart choice. By 2028, the field is expected to add more than 74,100 jobs nationwide, with a median average hourly wage of more than $26 per hour as of 2018*. The first question you may have, however, is how long it takes to become an electrician - and for that, Lincoln Tech has the answer.

Training programs in electrical and renewable energy technology or electrical and electronic systems technology take about a year to complete. Both qualify you to take the next step on the path to becoming an electrician: earning an apprenticeship.

As an apprentice, you'll gain hands-on experience working side-by-side with a licensed, practicing electrician. You'll also have the opportunity to prepare for state-specific licensing exams, and you'll learn what the "work-life" of a professional electrician is like.

Apprenticeships are paid and last approximately 4-6 years, depending on where you are located. Many states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and more than 20 others, also have "prevailing wage laws" that protect apprentice wage rates by ensuring that apprentices follow local IBEW guidelines.

How long it takes to become an electrician depends on your goals

As you begin your career preparation, you'll need to set priorities and decide how much time you can devote to hands-on training. A day training program may be completed in as little as one year. If you want to keep your day job or have other daytime commitments, you can also choose the night school option, but it may add 3-6 months to your training program.

There is also the question of whether to choose a certificate program or to increase your earning potential through an associate degree. Service management program options, such as the Associate of Applied Science degree for IL award graduates in Lincoln Tech Park Columbia, MD, Indianapolis, IN, Marietta, GA, and Melrose Park, GA, can translate into more job opportunities and better wages when you enter the workforce. These degree programs take about a year to complete, but the rewards are well worth it down the road.

The time it takes to become an electrician will be worth the investment

Once earned, your electrician certification can help you pursue a career anywhere in the country. Electricians are needed everywhere, especially in New England and in states such as Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Outside of Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and Illinois have the highest average electrician salary rates - you'll find the Lincoln Tech campus conveniently located in both areas to help you train and connect with hiring managers.

A career in the electrical industry can be rewarding, exciting, and fulfilling - but it won't happen overnight. How long it takes to become an electrician depends on many factors, but in the end, you'll be glad you chose this career path.

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