Electrician Schools in Mississippi: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Mississippi Electrician Training Programs

According to the 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.” 

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.

Mississippi requires a license to perform electrical work. However, most Mississippi electrician licenses, similar to journeyman electrician licenses in other states, are issued on a local level and allow you to work in a specific jurisdiction. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) is responsible for issuing all electrical contractor licenses at the state level. 

The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Mississippi:

• East Mississippi Community College in Scooba

• Itawamba Community College in Fulton

• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston

• Hinds Community College in Raymond

• Jones County Junior College in Ellisville

• Pearl River Community College in Poplarville

• Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit

• Delta Technical College in Horn Lake

• Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville

• East Central Community College in Decatur

Mississippi Apprenticeships

• The Mississippi Apprenticeship Program connects students with nationally recognized Registered Apprenticeship programs across the state. 

• IBEW Local Union 903 in Gulfport and Hattiesburg

• Electrical Business: Many Mississippi businesses provide the on-the-job training while relying on community colleges to provide the necessary classroom instruction to meet U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and/or DOPL apprenticeship standards.

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 where you intend to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education, as does Mississippi.

There’s typically a range of certificate and degree 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 also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you 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 Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in Mississippi like:

• Ole Miss

• Mississippi State University

As stated earlier, in many cases formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages.

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, the 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

• Equipment Maintenance

• Industrial Wiring

• Motor Control Systems

• Solid State Motor Control

• Branch Circuits

• DC Circuits

• 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 electrical training program and school.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Mississippi community colleges on average is $2,428 per year for in-state students and $4,459 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs and 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 any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

Mississippi apprenticeship programs require 8,000 hours of full-time work experience, along with 1,000 hours of classroom-based training. Some jurisdictions require you to register as an electrical apprentice. Most apprentices need to have a high school diploma or GED.

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 Mississippi’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 available only to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill the required classroom training. After completing classroom training and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, candidates can apply for an electrician license in the community where they intend to work.

East Mississippi Community College

• Offers an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Electrical Technology

Itawamba Community College

• Offers an Electrical Technology program

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

• Offers an Electrical Technology program

Hinds Community College

• Offers an Electrical Technology program where students can earn a Technical Certificate or an Associate in Applied Science degree

Jones County Junior College

• Offers an Electrical Technology program where students can earn a Technical Certificate, Career Certificate, or an Associate in Applied Science degree

Pearl River Community College

• Offers an Electrical Technology program where students can earn a Technical Certificate, Career Certificate, or an Associate in Applied Science degree

Southwest Mississippi Community College

• Offers an Electrical Technology program where students can earn an Associate in Applied Science degree

Delta Technical College

• Offers an Industrial, Commercial, & Residential Electrician training program

Northeast Mississippi Community College

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology degree

East Central Community College 

• Offers an Electrical Technology program

Steps for Enrollment in Mississippi

Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process includes the following steps:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

3. Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

4. Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. 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 Mississippi

To recap, Mississippi requires education and on-the-job experience to legally perform electrical work. To become eligible for a primary electrician license—similar to a journeyman electrician license in other states—you need to complete a formal trade school program (1,000 hours) and obtain 8,000 hours of on-the-job electrical training. These licenses are issued at the local level.

Licensed contractors must earn either a four-year electrical degree and perform one year of full-time work experience under the supervision of a master electrician, or four years of supervised work experience under a master electrician, along with electrical trade school certification. 

Mississippi requires a commercial license for public commercial plumbing jobs above $50,000 or private jobs that cost more than $10,000. All contractors performing new residential construction over $50,000 or residential remodeling or additions over $10,000 need a residential plumber license. For smaller projects, you don’t need a license at the state level.

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) issues residential licenses and commercial contractor licenses. To become licensed, individuals must complete an application with the MSBOC. All applicants are required to take a Law and Business Management exam. Electrician applicants also must pass an exam for the electrical classification.

After licensing, electrical contractors must renew their licenses annually. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors offers reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

For a detailed explanation of Mississippi’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Mississippi Electrical License. 

Salaries for Electricians in Mississippi

Before paying for technical education 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 Mississippi? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Mississippi for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $48,800

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $58,200

• Senior 4-6 years: $64,600

• Supervisor > 7 years: $91,900

For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Mississippi, you must have a high school diploma or GED, and in many cases a valid driver’s license. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice.

The Mississippi Apprenticeship Program, a branch of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, maintains a list of companies offering apprenticeships for all trades, including electricians.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Mississippi electricians. The Mid-South Chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors, a non-union trade group, offers apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and electrical schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

• Delgado Community College in New Orleans, Louisiana

• Arkansas College of Electricity in Rogers, Arkansas

• Tennessee College of Applied Technology - multiple Tennessee locations

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Mississippi. The opportunities are all around you.