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New Jersey has thousands of electricians, and yet even more are needed to keep the Garden State running — journeyman electricians, electrical contractors, electrical engineers. Fortunately, New Jersey has everything you need to learn how to become a member of this essential and skilled workforce.
The growing demand for electricians in New Jersey 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 7% growth rate for electricians nationwide over the next decade and more than double that at 15% in New Jersey. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of electrician jobs in New Jersey posted on Indeed.com and Zip Recruiter.
We’ve got all the information you need to find your place in this expanding workforce.
Accredited New Jersey 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 New Jersey learn on-the-job as an apprentice electrician or take classes at a community college to get started in the field. The state requires at least 576 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of practical experience before an apprentice can apply to test for a journeyman license. Technical education can also help you land that first electrical job. In general, there’s a direct correlation between a degree and higher long-term earnings. So, though it’s not required to go to college 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 New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors oversees electrician licensing. There are two types of electrical licenses in New Jersey: an electrical journeyman license and an electrical contractor license.
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.
New Jersey Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATC) are alliances between the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) chapters and the New Jersey chapters for the National Electrical Contractors Alliance (NECA). They are located all over the state.
IBEW has 6 jurisdictions in New Jersey.
IBEW Local 102 in Parsippany
IBEW Local 164 in Paramus
IBEW Local 269 in Trenton
IBEW Local 351 in Folsom
IBEW Local 400 in Wall
IBEW Local 456 in East Brunswick
The New Jersey Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) each have nonunion electrical apprenticeship programs that are four years long and meet US Department of Labor standards.
If you choose to start your journey with some kind of electrician education rather than a union or nonunion apprenticeship, several New Jersey community colleges and county vocational schools offer years 1 and 2 of apprenticeship classroom education. More on those below.
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 require 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 New Jersey, classroom training is required for licensing. Sometimes getting a little technical education before you find work can help you compete for apprenticeship opportunities or make you a more attractive hire.
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 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
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 New Jersey such as:
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in Ewing
Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken
Rutgers University in Piscataway
As stated earlier, formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages, but if your interest lies in being a journeyman electrician or electrical contractor, 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 college long-term certificate or associate’s degree.
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Electrical technology programs at technical colleges or vocational schools are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical systems. 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, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at New Jersey community colleges on average is $5,652 per year for in-state students and $7,575 for out-of-state students. However, many of the electrical programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs where tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all 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 state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online for financial aid.
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. As stated above, formal education is required in New Jersey, typically in conjunction with an apprenticeship, but many employers will choose an applicant with a certificate or pre-apprenticeship over one without. Those credentials can also give you an edge in the selection process for an apprenticeship. An example of this type of program is the Electrician Program offered through Pennco Tech in Blackwood. It takes about 26 weeks to complete.
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. This type of program will not substitute for the required classroom instruction and hands-on experience required for licensing in New Jersey.
Online programs are ideal for people looking for entry-level jobs or trying to improve their chance of selection for an apprenticeship. If you know your learning style relies on personal instruction, 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
There are many technical training programs available in New Jersey to learn to be an electrical professional. New Jersey Career and Technical Education offered in county vocational technical schools throughout the state is a great place to start. The New Jersey Department of Public Education offers a state-approved program through its Architecture and Construction Pathway. For instance, Bergen County Technical Schools in Hackensack provide the technical instruction for each of the four years of an approved apprenticeship. The school systems with electrical programs are:
Many of these programs offer dual credit, simultaneously allowing students to earn college credits while fulfilling requirements toward high school graduation. Check with your high school CTE coordinator to find the nearest program if it is not offered at your school.
There are also Adult Education programs offered through the vocational high schools in New Jersey. These adult programs are offered in the following schools districts:
Morris County (IEC)
Let’s also look at a few of the state’s technical college programs.
Eastwick College in Nutley and the HoHokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences in Hackensack Electrician Apprenticeship | Diploma | 9 months
Ocean County Vocational Technical School in Toms River Electrician Apprenticeship | Diploma | 2 years
Passaic County Community College in Wayne Electricity Apprenticeship I | 24 sessions Electricity Apprenticeship II | 24 sessions Electricity III | 24 sessions
Pennco Tech in Blackwood Electrician Program | Certificate | 26 weeks
There’s more on apprenticeships offered in New Jersey below.
Steps for Enrollment in New Jersey
Every program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with you 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 who has 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 New Jersey
As mentioned earlier, licensing in New Jersey is done at the state level. Electricians in New Jersey need four years of experience (8,000 hours) and about 150 hours of classroom instruction each year — at least 576 total to meet New Jersey and USDOL requirements. Those four years of experience must be under the supervision of a licensed electrical contractor and you must pass an examination to become a licensed journeyman. If you wish to be an electrical contractor you will need additional experience, testing, and proof of general liability and workers compensation insurance.
To keep your license current, you must complete 34 hours of continuing education, which includes nine hours of Code and one hour of New Jersey laws, rules and regulations before renewing your license every three years.
For a detailed explanation of New Jersey’s Electrician licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your New Jersey Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in New Jersey
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 New Jersey? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in New Jersey for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $57,200
Intermediate 2-4 years: $67,700
Senior 4-6 years: $74,700
Supervisor > 7 years: $107,200
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. 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 New Jersey, which are 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.
Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee of Southern New Jersey (IBEW 351)
IBEW Local 164 JATC (Bergen-Essex-Hudson NECA)
Nonunion apprenticeships, such as those offered by the local chapters Associated Builders and Contractors and the Independent Electrical Contractors, are similar to the union programs.
These 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 — creating an in-house apprenticeship. A typical model of that is pairing a new employee with an experienced technician for the hands-on part of training and then requiring new hires to attend classes at night at a local community college or sometimes taught through the company itself. You’ll need to request that your employer act as your apprentice sponsor. Your employer must agree to register you with the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Apprenticeship.
The state also has a website dedicated to registered apprenticeships for job seekers.
Other School Options
We’ve highlighted many trade schools, community colleges and apprenticeships thus far. There are so many programs throughout the state to get the training you need to become an electrician in New Jersey. In addition to all those already mentioned, each of the schools below has an electrical program or classes that can help get you started.
Brookdale Community College in Lincroft
Fortis Institute in Wayne and Lawrenceville
Lincoln Technical Institute (Lincoln Tech) in Mahwah
New Jersey has electrician apprenticeships and classes all across the state. You can find the training you need to excel in an electrical career in New Jersey. The opportunities are all around you.
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