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If you’re considering a career in the electrical industry, you’ll be glad to know there’s a growing demand for skilled electricians across the country. Many electrician programs exist in Washington State to train more people to enter the electrical workforce.
The growing demand for electricians in The Evergreen State—journeyman electricians, master electricians, residential journeyman electricians, residential master electricians, and electrical engineers—means there’s a wide selection of choices for your career.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects an 18% growth rate for electricians in Washington 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 Washington posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know to get started as an electrician in Washington State.
Accredited Washington 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 on electrical systems as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries issues electrician licenses or electrician certificates for every level of this workforce—requiring applicants to meet job experience and classroom instruction requirements. Electrical trainees must be registered with the state.
Most people entering the electrician industry in Washington learn on the job as an electrical trainee through a registered apprenticeship program, such as through employment with an electrical contractor and classroom instruction through various course sponsors. Once trainees earn 8,000 hours of on-the-job work experience and 96 hours of basic classroom instruction, they qualify to take the journeyman exam. Certain electrical construction trade specialties require 4,000 hours work experience and 48 hours of classroom instruction to qualify for an examination.
Washington is home to several electrical construction trade schools offering training to become a journeyman electrician or to obtain a specialty in the electrical construction trade, including:
Bates Technical College, Tacoma
Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham
Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake
Clover Park Technical College, Lakewood
Perry Technical Institute, Yakima
Renton Technical College, Renton
Spokane Community College, Spokane
Walla Walla Community College, Walla Walla
Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee
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 in Washington.
There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, but in Washington, most electricians enter through an apprenticeship rather than college. 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 a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at one of the four-year universities in Washington like:
Gonzaga University, Spokane
Seattle University, Seattle
University of Washington, Seattle
Washington State University, Pullman
In many cases, but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Electrical programs at technical colleges are 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. When part of Washington’s approved apprenticeship program, classes are called approved basic classroom instruction for electrical trainees.
Typically, coursework includes 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 Electrical 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 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 Washington community colleges on average is $4,105 per year for in-state students and $7,359 for out-of-state students. However, some 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 chosen occupational 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
In Washington, journey-level apprenticeships are about four years long, with a minimum of 144 hours of education each year through online courses or classroom instruction.
Benefits
There are benefits to formal education if you want to be an electrician. Washington requires a minimum amount of education for licensing. You may be able to put your classroom hours toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.
Online vs in-person
You may choose to get started on your electrician training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you. Through a cooperative agreement between Perry Technical Institute and Yakima Valley College, which offers online classes, students seeking an Associate of Applied Science Degree can participate in a combined degree pathway for electrical technology.
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.
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School Comparison: At a Glance
The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Washington’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Several of the programs prepare students to apply to registered apprenticeship programs.
Washington has 14 registered apprenticeship programs to train journey-level electricians. Once electrical trainees earn 8,000 hours of on-the-job work experience and 96 hours of classroom training, they qualify to take the general journey-level electrician examination. Let’s take a look at each of the different schools.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Construction, 124-164 credits.
Offers Certificate of Competency in Electrical Construction, 67 credits.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science, Electrician, 108 credits.
Graduates can be credited with up to 1,472 supervised work experience hours.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Electrical Technology, 103 credits.
Offers an Industrial Electrical Certificate of Achievement, 48+ credits.
Offers basic electricity, industrial electricity, instrumentation, and National Electric Code certificates of accomplishment, 15 credits.
The degree program provides up to 1,488 hours of instruction toward apprenticeship requirements for non-residential maintenance electricians.
Offers an Associate of Applied Technology Degree in Electrician Low Voltage Fire/Security, 126 credits.
Offers an Electrician Low Voltage Fire/Security Certificate, 81 credits.
The degree program provides 1,815 hours of work experience for a Limited Energy specialty electrician.
Offers a two-year Electrical Technology training program.
Provides 3,000 hours for potential qualification as a third-year electrical trainee.
Provides an opportunity for an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology through a partnership with Yakima Valley College.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Commercial Building Engineering, 139 credits.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Engineering, 134 credits.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Maintenance and Automation, 121-139 credits.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Energy Systems Technology, with a concentration in Mechanical Electrical Technology, 152 credits.
Offers an Associate of Technical Science in Industrial Technology - Electronics, 106 credits.
Provides electrical hours toward Nonresidential Maintenance Specialty Electrical License.
Steps for Enrollment in Washington
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and 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.
It’s a separate process to apply with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries as an electrical trainee. You must apply for an electrical trainee certificate and and meet these requirements:
Be at least 16 years old.
Possess a valid Social Security number.
To become an electrical apprentice in Washington, an applicant needs to apply with a registered apprentice program. To work, apprentices need both an electrical training card and an apprenticeship card. Apprentice applicants will need to provide:
Proof of age.
High school diploma or equivalency (GED), or honorable military discharge.
Electrician Career Requirements in Washington
Washington issues certifications or licenses for electrical trainees, electricians, electrical administrators, electrical contractors, master electricians, telecommunications administrators, and telecommunications contractors.
To become an 01 journeyman electrician in the state of Washington, you must complete a registered electrical apprenticeship and pass an exam. The apprenticeship provides electrical trainees with 8,000 hours of on-the-job work experience and 576 hours of classroom training. The state offers some exemptions through July 2025 to provide more opportunities to qualify for the journey-level examination.
Apprenticeship occupations for 01 electrical work include:
General electrician
Construction electrician
Inside electrician
Inside wireman
In Washington, certain electrical construction trade specialties require 4,000 hours of work experience and 48 hours of classroom instruction to qualify for an examination:
Residential
Pump and irrigation
Signs
Limited energy system
HVAC/refrigeration system
Nonresidential maintenance
After licensing, the journeyman electrician license requires renewal every three years, as well as 24 hours of continuing education. A master electrician or electrical administrator license renewal requires a fee of $137.90 every three years and 24 hours of continuing education. In addition, Washington has a reciprocal agreement with the state of Oregon.
For a detailed explanation of Washington’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Washington Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Washington
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 Washington? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Washington for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $56,900
Intermediate 2-4 years: $67,800
Senior 4-6 years: $75,400
Supervisor > 7 years: $107,400
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
In Washington, apprenticeships are about four 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.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries provides a list of registered apprenticeship programs that train journey-level 01 electricians. Typically, employers, employer associations, and labor unions sponsor these apprenticeship programs, which vary depending on the occupation and the county area. Registered programs include:
Area 1 Inside Electrical JATC, Portland
Electrical Management Group of Washington, Vancouver
Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Construction Electrician, Bellevue
Frontier Electric Apprenticeship & Training, Battle Ground
NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center, Portland
LU 112 - NECA Electrical Apprenticeship Committee, Kennewick
Northwest Washington Electrical Industry Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Mount Vernon
Puget Sound Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Renton
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Pullman
Southwest Washington Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Tacoma
Tradesmen Apprenticeship & Comprehensive Training, Battle Ground
Other School Options
In addition to electrician training opportunities in Washington, there are several training centers in neighboring Oregon and Idaho, including:
Northwest Institute of Electrical Technology in Portland (IEC of Oregon and Area I Inside Electrical JATC)
Southwest Idaho Electrical Training Center in Boise, ID (IBEW Local 291)
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Washington. You just need to discover the opportunity that’s right for you.
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