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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive training to safely perform this highly skilled work. If you want to join the electrician workforce, you’ll be glad to know electrical training is readily available throughout the Palmetto State.
The growing demand for electricians in South Carolina — journeyman electricians, master electricians, electrical contractors, and electrical engineers — means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 13% growth rate for electricians in South Carolina 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 South Carolina posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited South Carolina 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.
The Municipal Association of South Carolina issues journeyman and master electrician licenses, while the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation issues electrical contractor licenses. Most people entering the electrician industry in South Carolina learn on-the-job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or nonunion apprenticeship or by working for an electrical contractor and taking classes at a local community college.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in South Carolina:
Greenville Technical College in Greenville
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in Orangeburg
Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Conway
Northeastern Technical College in Cheraw
Trident Technical College in Charleston
Midlands Technical College in West Columbia
Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood
South Carolina Apprenticeships
Charleston Electrical Training Alliance in North Charleston
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 776 in North Charleston
Greater Charlotte Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) in Indian Trail, North Carolina
Electrical Business: Some South Carolina 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 South Carolina.
There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs. 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 Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in South Carolina such as:
As stated earlier, 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, 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 (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
Control Systems
Residential Wiring
Branch Circuits
Diagnostic Troubleshooting
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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 South Carolina community colleges on average is $5,692 per year for in-state students and $10,568 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs, so tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for 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
To qualify for a journeyman certification in the state of South Carolina, you must achieve two years (4,000 hours) of work experience as an apprentice under the supervision of a certified journeyman electrician or master electrician. Otherwise, you must complete a two-year associate degree program through a technical school and obtain one year (2,000 hours) of work experience under the supervision of a certified journeyman electrician or master electrician. Most apprenticeships and trade school programs require candidates 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 South Carolina’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. After completing two years (4,000 hours) of work experience as an apprentice or taking a two-year associate degree program through a technical school and obtaining one year (2,000 hours) of work experience, candidates can apply for the journeyman exam.
Offers an Electrical Technician Program
Offers a SC Journeyman’s Certification Exam Review course
Offers the ABC Carolinas Chapter Upstate Electrical Apprenticeship program
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
Offers a Basic Electrician certificate
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Offers an Electrical Lineman Technician certificate
Northeastern Technical College
Offers an Associate in Applied Science in Electricity/Electronics degree
Offers a Residential Wiring certificate
Offers an Electrician: Industrial and Construction Associate’s Degree
Offers certificates in: Advanced Automation: Mechatronics, Electrical Drafting, Electrician: Construction, and Electrician: Industrial
Offers a Basic Electrical Wiring certificate
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Engineering Technology
Steps for Enrollment in South Carolina
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 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 South Carolina
To become eligible for a journeyman license, South Carolina requires two years of experience as an apprentice under the supervision of a certified journeyman electrician or master electrician. Otherwise, you must complete a two-year associate degree program through a technical school and obtain one year (2,000 hours) of work experience under the supervision of a certified journeyman electrician or master electrician. Journeyman electricians must renew their licenses every year.
To apply for a master electrician license, candidates must work as a certified journeyman electrician for four years. Master electricians must renew their licenses every two years.
South Carolina offers two types of electrical contractor licenses: mechanical and residential.
To obtain a mechanical license, you must pass a technical exam, a business and law exam, and submit the appropriate application. Depending on the value of the jobs you will bid on, you may have to submit a financial statement. Mechanical contractors also need to maintain surety bonds. Some cities and counties have other contractor licensing requirements, so be sure to check with your local municipal association or licensing board for more information. Mechanical licenses require renewal every two years.
Residential contractors can work on residential homes or apartment buildings that are three stories or less with no more than 16 total units. Some cities and counties have additional contractor licensing requirements, so be sure to check with your local municipal association or licensing board for more information. Residential licenses require renewal every two years. For a detailed explanation of South Carolina’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your South Carolina Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in South Carolina
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 South Carolina? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in South Carolina for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $50,700
Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,000
Senior 4-6 years: $70,100
Supervisor > 7 years: $95,400
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in South Carolina, you must have a high school diploma or GED. 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 South Carolina.
SC Works 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 South Carolina electricians.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring North Carolina and Georgia.
Raleigh-Durham JATC in Durham, North Carolina
Atlanta Electrical JATC Electrical Training Center in Atlanta, Georgia
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