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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive training to safely perform electrical work. If you want to join the electrician workforce, you’ll be glad to know training is readily available throughout the Empire State.
The growing demand for electricians in the state of New York — 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 27% growth rate for electricians in New York 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 New York posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started in the electrical industry.
Accredited New York 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.”
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.
Requirements for electrician licensing vary widely in New York, with each municipality establishing specific steps for obtaining licensure. The types of electrician licenses also vary by municipality, with some offering traditional licenses like journeyman and master electrician licenses. The city of Albany, on the other hand, issues a Class A electrician license.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in New York:
Apex Technical School in Long Island City
Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES in Liverpool
SUNY Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh
Hudson Valley Community College in Troy
New York Apprenticeships
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 you attend 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
In short, 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 New York such as:
The City College of New York in New York City
New York Institute of Technology in New York City
As stated earlier, in many cases formal education can pay off in the form of 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
Electrical Theory
Electrical Power
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 New York community colleges on average is $5,826 per year for in-state students and $10,328 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
The length of apprenticeships and trade school programs varies depending on the municipality, from 1.5 years to over five years (NYC).
In the City of Rochester, for example, apprentices must demonstrate 3,000 hours of experience within a five-year period to qualify for the journeyman licensing exam. At least 1,500 hours out of the total of 3,000 hours must include hands-on experience installing and repairing electrical systems covered by the National Electrical Code. The remaining 1,500 hours can be filled by taking accredited courses through a trade school, community college, or university.
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 New York’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 an electrician license.
Offers an Electrical & Advanced Electrical certificate
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Construction and InstrumentationOffers an Associate of Occupational Studies in Electrical Construction and Plumbing
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology
Offers a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES
Offers an Electrical Maintenance Technician I program
Steps for Enrollment in New York
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 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 program, 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 with 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 York
To recap, New York electrician licensing requirements vary depending on the municipality.
In New York City, electrician candidates have several options to fulfill training requirements and become eligible to apply for a journeyman electrician license from the Department of Buildings.
Training options may include:
Obtain 5.5 years of experience by completing a mechanical engineering or electrical technology apprenticeship program or graduating from a trade or vocational school registered with the New York State Department of Labor.
Earn 7.5 years of experience, with at least 10,500 hours working under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
Earn a master of science degree in addition to completing a minimum of 3,500 hours of work experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
Earn a bachelor of science degree in addition to completing a minimum of 4,900 hours of work experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
To apply for a master electrician license in NYC, candidates need a minimum of 7.5 years of experience within the previous 10 years and a minimum of 10,500 hours of satisfactory experience in the “installation, alteration, and repair of wiring and appliances for electric light, heat, and power in or on buildings or comparable facilities.”
Electrical contractors in NYC must obtain workers’ compensation insurance, disability insurance, project insurance, and $1 million in general liability insurance.
Most New York municipalities require electricians to renew their licenses annually and mandate varying amounts of continuing education each year.
For a detailed explanation of New York’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your New York Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in New York
Before paying for technical training at a trade school or completing a lengthy electrician apprenticeship, 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 York? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in New York for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $55,200
Intermediate 2-4 years: $65,700
Senior 4-6 years: $72,400
Supervisor > 7 years: $103,500
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in New York, 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.
The New York Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program maintains a list of open apprenticeships for all trades, including electricians, HVAC, and plumbing.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
Eastwick College HoHoKus School of Trade and Technical Sciences in Paterson, NJ
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center in Willow Street, PA
Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, MA
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in New York. The opportunities are all around you.
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