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Indiana has thousands of electricians, and yet even more are needed to keep the Volunteer State running — journeyman electricians, master electricians, electrical engineers. Fortunately, Indiana has everything you need to learn how to become a member of this essential and skilled workforce.
The growing demand for electricians in Indiana means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL) job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 9% growth rate for electricians in Indiana as compared with a 7% expected growth rate nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of electrician jobs in Indiana posted on Indeed.com and Zip Recruiter.
We’ve got all the information you need to find your place in this expanding workforce.
Accredited Indiana Electrician Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.”
Most people entering the electrical industry in the state of Indiana learn on-the-job as an apprentice electrician. Formal education is not required by law in Indiana at the state level, because though apprentices, journeymen, and master electricians are licensed, those licenses are issued at the local level. Unlike plumbers, there is no statewide regulatory board for electricians. Therefore, educational requirements vary from municipality to municipality. For instance, Evansville and Vanderburgh County require apprentices to be in an approved apprentice training program, and those usually require classroom instruction. Other cities and counties require only a minimum amount of work experience and will substitute classroom for some of that time. Technical education can also help you land that first job in the field. In general, there’s a direct correlation between a degree and higher long-term earnings. So, though it’s not required to go to school to get started, it could pay off in the long run.
According to the BLS some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.
The three most common ways to get electrician certification are to complete a union apprenticeship through your local Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), successfully complete a nonunion apprenticeship, or attend a technical college and work for a licensed electrician.
Indiana Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATC) are alliances between the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) chapters and the Indiana chapters for the National Electrical Contractors Alliance (NECA). They are located all over the state.
IBEW has 13 jurisdictions in Indiana and ten Joint Apprentice Training Committees (JATC) that offer electrical apprenticeships.
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky (ABC) and the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) chapters in and around Indiana each have nonunion electrical apprenticeship programs that are four years long and meet U.S. Department of Labor standards. The IEC chapters are:
IEC Southern Indiana (no website) phone 812-963-8261
If you choose to start your journey with electrician education rather than a union or nonunion apprenticeship, Ivy Tech offers an Electrical Engineering Technology program at six campuses throughout the state:
Elkhart
Fort Wayne
Indianapolis
South Bend
Terre Haute
Valparaiso
Ivy Tech also offers the required classroom instruction for JATCs throughout Indiana. After an applicant is accepted into the apprenticeship program by the JATC, the apprentice is then registered with the USDOL, Office of Apprenticeship and enrolled at the local Ivy Tech campus.
Electrician Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state or city where you plan to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some insist on a minimum amount of education. Other states have no educational requirements to get started, and it may make more sense to simply get an entry-level position and get on-the-job-training rather than attending one of the electrician schools.
If you plan to work in Indiana, classroom instruction is required for many cities and counties to earn a journeyman or residential license in conjunction with work. Sometimes getting a little technical education before you find work can help you compete for apprenticeship opportunities or make you a more attractive hire. Pre-apprenticeship through the “Indiana Plan” is one example of a program that can prepare you for apprenticeship.
There’s typically a range of choices of degree and certificate programs, but again most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in Indiana like:
As stated earlier, formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages, but if your interest lies in being a journeyman or master electrician, a college degree is not necessary. However, for many of the approved programs above, you will have the option of completing not only your apprenticeship but a long-term college certificate or associate’s degree.
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Electrical programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed electrician. Typically, they include coursework in the fundamentals of the electrical trade. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers, A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the National Electric Code. Among the most common classes offered in these degree programs are:
Foundations of Mathematics
Industrial Safety Procedures
Direct Current
Alternating Current
Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols
Commercial Wiring
Residential Wiring
Electrical Controls
Diagnostic Troubleshooting
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, typically at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Indiana community colleges on average is $3,797 per year for in-state students and $8,083 for out-of-state students. However, many of the electrician programs listed here cost $4,000 to $10,000. There will be some variations in fees at each school, though, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
There are also always costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
As noted above, you can choose from a certificate or an associate’s degree. The certificates require as few as 5,000 clock hours or as many as 1,700 credit hours. Associate’s degree programs typically take two years and require 60 credits or more. Most apprenticeships are four to five years long.
Benefits
There are benefits to formal education if you want to be an electrician. In some municipalities in Indiana, a minimum amount of classroom instruction may be required to be eligible for licensing. Also, oftentimes that formal education can be applied toward a college degree, such as an associate of applied science in Electrical Construction Technology. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.
Online vs in-person
You may choose to get electrician training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you. Both Penn Foster and Ashworth College offer online electrician classes. The University of Evansville also offers an online Residential Electricians course that includes tools for $3,145.
Online programs are ideal for people looking for entry-level jobs or for entry-level workers who are looking to increase their salaries. If you know your learning style relies on personal instruction, more traditional in-person classes are accessible throughout the state.
Level of difficulty
Electrician training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an electrical technician. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.
School Comparison: At a Glance
Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) programs in Indiana receive classroom instruction through Ivy Tech Community Colleges. There are detailed instructions about how to get started on the apprenticeship page of the Ivy Tech website.
The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) chapters in and around Indiana each offer nonunion electrical apprenticeship programs accredited by the U.S. Department of Labor.
IEC Indy (Central Indiana IEC) in Indianapolis
Students earn their Journeyman/Journeywoman certification.
Students work with an IEC-Indy electrical contractor while training, so they will have a job when they graduate.
$700 nonrefundable registration fee applied to tuition.
Member tuition is $2,425; nonmember tuition is $3,225. Online classes are $600 additional per semester for individuals who live in a 50+-mile radius of Indianapolis or those who travel more than 50% of the school year.
4-year program – Classes are held one evening a week from 4:30-8:30 p.m.
2-year program – same program as the 4-year – attending classes two evenings per week.
Full-Time Program – 40-week program, 3 days per week, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Journeyman certifications are awarded by completing 8,000 hours on-the-job training as well as 576 classroom hours.
IEC of Kentucky and Southern Indiana located in Louisville, Kentucky
Includes 51 credit hours applicable to an associate’s degree from Jefferson Community and Technical College.
Students are provided with classroom components covering topics of the National Electrical Code as well as Electrical Theory and Real Situation Problem Solving.
Apprentices must be full-time employees of an IEC member contractor who serves as the Apprenticeship Sponsor.
Apprentices attend class one night per week for 39 weeks, August through May —156 hours of instruction each year for 4 years.
Apprentices graduate as an Electrician and many are ready to pass the Master Electrician Exam to receive their Master Electrician License.
IEC Southern Indiana in Evansville (no website) phone 812-963-8261
IEC of Greater Cincinnati in Cincinnati
Apprentices attend classes one or two nights per week after work from 5 to 9 p.m. from August through May.
Earn up to 46 hours of college credit.
Upon completion, graduates receive a journeyman certificate recognized in all 50 states.
Midwest IEC (Northwest Indiana & Greater Chicagoland) located in Cedar Lake, Indiana
4-year program in which apprentices attend class one night per week.
On-site program and online program offered.
Apprentices work for Midwest IEC Contractor members.
Upon completion, apprentices are issued a Journeyman license by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky (ABC) and Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana Electrical Apprenticeship is certified by the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) and the educational instruction is provided by Vincennes University. Apprentices have the option of earning a tuition-free Associate of Applied Science Degree.
Each of the Vincennes University locations below offers an electrical apprenticeship program:
Indianapolis (North Central)
Muncie (North Central)
Elkhart (Northwest)
Ft. Wayne (Northeast)
Columbus, Indiana (North Central)
Lafayette (Northwest)
High school students can receive Career and Technical Education (CTE) in school districts throughout the state. There are 23 area technical centers throughout Indiana that serve high school students. You can begin learning the electrical industry through the construction trades career pathway. For example the Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center through the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Electrical Technology courses. Check with your high school for more information.
Steps for Enrollment in Indiana
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission online. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the JATC, local union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
Electrician Career Requirements in Indiana
As mentioned earlier, licensing in Indiana is done at the state level. Educational mandates can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but in general electricians in Indiana need four years of experience and about 150 hours of classroom instruction each year. To be eligible to become a licensed electrician you must gain specific years of experience under the supervision of a master electrician or electrical contractor and pass a test in the locality where you intend to work. If you wish to be an electrical contractor you will need additional experience, testing, and proof of general liability and workers compensation insurance. For a detailed explanation of Indiana’s Electrician licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Indiana Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Indiana
Before paying for technical education as an electrician apprentice, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in Indiana? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Indiana for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $50,500
Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,600
Senior 4-6 years: $68,100
Supervisor > 7 years: $96,500
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
As we said earlier, most electricians get their training through a formal apprenticeship. In fact, the State of Indiana has the second highest number of apprentices in the nation. Most apprenticeships are four to five years long and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. Most also require you to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or a GED, a valid driver’s license, and have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better.
There are many electrical union apprenticeship programs in Indiana, offered by local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in coordination with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Together they make up the Electrical Training Alliance.
Nonunion apprenticeships like those offered by the Indiana/Kentucky Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors and the local chapters of the Independent Electrical Contractors are similar to the union programs.
These nonunion and union programs culminate in journeyman status as directed by national standards. Apprentices work for member contractors with an opportunity for increased wages each year until reaching journeyman status.
Some electrical contractors have their own training programs, which are not recognized formal apprenticeship programs but include both technical classroom and on-the-job training that will meet jurisdictional standards. The state also has a website dedicated to registered apprenticeships for job seekers.
Other School Options
We’ve highlighted many Indiana electrician training programs so far, but there are more.
There are programs throughout the state that may be more accessible to you based on where you live. Some schools and independent contractors that can help facilitate your training are:
Peterman Brothers — apprentices are trained at the Peterman Top Tech Academy on Commerce Road in Indianapolis near Greenwood.
Dilling Group Apprenticeship — Bootcamp is the first two weeks of your employment, emphasizing safety and basic skills with opportunities in Warsaw, Fort Wayne, Logansport, and Indianapolis. The company emphasizes you do not need experience; they will train you.
Lincoln Tech in Indianapolis
Indiana has campuses across the state with electrical programs. You can find the training you need to excel as an electrician in Indiana. The opportunities are all around you!
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