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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive training to safely perform this highly skilled trade. If you want to join the electrical field, you’ll be glad to know training is readily available throughout the Great Lakes State.
The growing demand for electricians in Michigan — including apprentice electricians, journeyman electricians, master electricians, and electrical contractors — means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 13% growth rate for electricians in Michigan and 6% nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of electrician jobs in Michigan posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started in the electrical trades.
Accredited Michigan 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, electrical 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.”
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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Electrical Division administers electrician licenses in the state of Michigan. Additionally, Detroit and Grand Rapids issue electrical licenses at the city level.
Aspiring electricians typically gain the necessary work experience through a technical school or a qualified apprenticeship program. To earn a journeyman license in Michigan, you must earn 8,000 hours of electrical trade work experience in addition to completing 576 hours of classroom instruction.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Michigan:
Monroe County Community College in Monroe
Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City
Lansing Community College in Lansing
Delta College in University Center
Jackson College in Jackson
Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek
Henry Ford College in Dearborn
Alpena Community College in Alpena
Michigan Apprenticeships
The Michigan Workforce Development Agency maintains a list of available apprenticeships, as does the Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee
Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program (JATC) provided by IBEW Michigan
Electrician Degrees & Certificates
There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also 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
Put simply, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering degree at one of the four-year universities in Michigan such as:
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
Michigan State University in East Lansing
As stated earlier, formal education can pay off in higher wages.
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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, these programs 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 (NEC). Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:
Foundations of Mathematics
Industrial Safety Procedures
Direct Current
Alternating Current
Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols
Commercial Wiring
Residential Wiring
Electrical Systems and Controls
Communication Systems
Diagnostic Troubleshooting
OSHA standards
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Michigan community colleges on average is $4,944 per year for in-state students and $6,878 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs where tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur 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 state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Apprenticeships in Michigan last four years.
To become a licensed journeyman electrician in the state of Michigan, you must complete 8,000 hours (about four years) of work experience and 576 hours of classroom training through an apprenticeship program.
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
The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Michigan’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Apprenticeships have limited openings for candidates, and many of the programs below are only available to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill all or part of the required training needed to apply for a journeyman electrician license.
Monroe County Community College
Offers an Electrical Engineering Technology program
Offers a Construction Technology - Electrical Technology program
Offers a Utility and Energy Systems program
Offers an Associate of Applied Sciences degree and Electrical Apprenticeship program
Offers an Electrician certificate
Offers an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Industrial Electricity and Electronics
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Technology
Offers an Electrical Systems Technology program
Steps for Enrollment in Michigan
Every training program 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 includes 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 aptitude 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 Michigan
To recap, Michigan requires a mix of on-the-job and classroom training to legally perform electrical work. To become eligible for a journeyman electrician license, you must earn a minimum of 8,000 hours of full-time experience performing electrical work under the supervision of a licensed electrician and demonstrate 576 hours of classroom training.
To become eligible for a master electrician license, you must demonstrate a minimum of two years of job experience as a licensed journeyman and complete at least 12,000 hours of work experience in a six-year period.
If you wish to start your own business, you will need to apply for an electrical contractor license. Before receiving approval for an electrical contractor license, you must provide proof of insurance compliance, including workers' compensation and unemployment insurance.
After licensure, journeyperson, master, and contractor licenses require renewal every year. Additionally, journeyperson and master electricians must complete 15 hours of continuing education each year.
For a detailed explanation of Michigan’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Michigan Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Michigan
Before paying for technical training at a trade school or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an electrician, 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 Michigan? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Michigan for 2024 is:
Entry level <2 years: $51,300
Intermediate 2-4 years: $63,000
Senior 4-6 years: $67,900
Supervisor > 7 years: $96,000
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Michigan, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice. Remember, apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed electrician—is required to become a licensed electrician in Michigan.
The Michigan Workforce Development Agency provides a list of available apprenticeships, as does the Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Michigan electricians.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Indiana and Ohio.
Ivy Tech Community College in multiple cities in Indiana
Stark State College in Canton, Ohio
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Michigan. The opportunities are all around you.
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