Electrician Schools in Wyoming: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Wyoming 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 Electrical Board of the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety is responsible for issuing electrician licenses — requiring applicants to meet work experience and classroom instruction requirements. Even apprentices must be registered with the state. Most people entering the electrician industry in Wyoming 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  community college. 

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

• Central Wyoming College in Riverton

• Northern Wyoming Community College District in Sheridan, Gillette, and Buffalo.

• Casper College in Casper

• Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne

Wyoming Apprenticeships

• Wyoming Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC)

  • IBEW Apprenticeship

• Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain (IECRM)

• Electrical Business: Some Wyoming 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, such as Wyoming.

There’s typically a range 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

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 one of several Electrical Engineering degrees at the University of Wyoming.

As stated earlier, 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 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 training 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

• Residential Wiring

• Control Systems

• 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 Wyoming community colleges on average is $2,855 per year for in-state students and $6,991 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of electrical 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

Wyoming apprenticeships are four years long and require 576 hours of classroom instruction. Most require candidates to have a driver’s license and 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 electrical schools listed in this article are part of Wyoming’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 the training requirements mandated by the State of Wyoming, Department of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety.

• Central Wyoming College - Offers an Electrical Apprenticeship Certificate

• Northern Wyoming Community College District - Offers an Electrical Apprenticeship Certificate

• Casper College - Offers an Electrical Apprenticeship Certificate

• Laramie County Community College - Offers an Electrical Technology Program. “This program provides a route into an electrical apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers or Independent Electrical Contractors.” 

• University of Wyoming - Offers several four-year and advanced degrees, including:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with Bioengineering Option

• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

• Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering

Steps for Enrollment in Wyoming

Every training program 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 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 Wyoming

To recap, Wyoming requires education and on-the-job training to legally perform electrical work. To become eligible for a journeyman license, you need to complete a formal trade school program (576 hours) and obtain four years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training, or earn a two-year degree in an approved electrical program and complete two years of on-the-job training. 

To become eligible for the master electrician license, you need to obtain 16,000 hours of work experience, with at least four years serving as a licensed journeyman electrician, and 576 hours of classroom training. Electrical contractors in Wyoming must employ a licensed Master Electrician or be one themself.

After licensing, Wyoming electricians must complete continuing education to keep their electrician license active. Both journeyman and master electricians need to renew their licenses every three years and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education.

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

Salaries for Electricians in Wyoming

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 Wyoming? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Wyoming for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $47,500

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $56,700

• Senior 4-6 years: $63,000

• Supervisor > 7 years: $96,500

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

Industry Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Wyoming, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice. 

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and local chapters 322 and 415 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Wyoming electricians. The Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain, a nonunion trade group, offers apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.

For more information on Wyoming apprenticeship programs, visit the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety electrician licensing page.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Colorado, Idaho, and Utah.

• College of Western Idaho in Nampa

• Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College in Ogden, Utah

• Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado

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