How to Become an Electrician in Massachusetts

Electrician jobs in Massachusetts are an excellent fit for individuals who are physically fit, enjoy working with their hands, and are seeking careers in the skilled trades.

To become an electrician in MA, you’ll need to complete the necessary schooling, gain ample experience hours, and pass the state-required certification exam to obtain your journeyman electrician license.

Education and Training

Required Courses

Course curriculum varies, depending on where you choose to enroll, but most schools cover topics like:

Reading blueprints and electrical schematics and plans
Electrical systems, motors, and transformers
Grounding and bonding
Wiring methods and devices
Low-voltage distribution
Basic mathematics
OSHA compliance and safety practices
Communication and customer service
Commercial, residential, and construction electrical work

Hands-On Workshops

Like many skilled trades programs, electrician schools in Massachusetts typically have labs and workshops where students can perfect their skills. During labs, students can practice the same installation, repair, and maintenance techniques they’ve learned in class using real electrical tools and systems.

Additional Coursework

If you’re planning to become a private contractor, you might consider taking a few business and accounting classes to learn how to get your independently-owned-and-operated electrician company off the ground. Learning how to promote your business by taking advertising and marketing classes may be a good idea as well.

Electrician Apprenticeships in Massachusetts

In addition to completing an accredited training program, aspiring electricians in MA must gain real-world electrician experience through state-approved apprenticeships. Some schools partner with local contractors to set up externships for students. However, you can also use the Massachusetts Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) to find available programs.

Apprenticeship Skills

During your apprenticeship, you’ll apply all the skills you learned during your educational program, including:

Conduit and electrical system installation
Running wires
Motor, outlet, and light fixture installation
Electrical maintenance, upkeep, and repair

Tracking Work Hours

To ensure apprentices stay on track for meeting the required hours for electricians in MA, supervisors must document each student’s training and work hours for the duration of the program. Once their apprenticeship is over, the student can submit this signed form when applying for state licensure.

Do Electrician Apprentices Get Paid?

Students can find paid electrician apprenticeships with some companies and private contractors. Wages for apprentice electricians in MA are usually around $17.00 per hour, though earnings differ across employers. Some contractors may offer tuition assistance or program reimbursement instead of paying you for your apprenticeship services.

How Long is Electrician School in MA?

According to state regulations, aspiring journeyman electricians in MA must complete at least 600 hours of classroom instruction. Most schools offer 12-month courses, allowing students to earn the necessary hours in exactly one year. However, some programs may take closer to 10 or 24 months, depending on where you attend classes.

Documented Work Hours

You’ll need to complete at least 8,000 documented work hours during your apprenticeship, as well. It takes most people three to four years to finish their apprenticeship programs, bringing the total length of electrician education and training to either four or five years.

Program Costs

Tuition costs for aspiring electricians in MA vary by institution. At some schools, students pay about $4,200 plus another $2,000 for program equipment and materials. Out-of-state students might pay as much as $9,000 to complete their courses.

Massachusetts Electrician Requirements

Before you can qualify for electrician jobs in Massachusetts, you’ll need to obtain a journeyman electrician license from the Board of State Examiners of Electrician Licensing.

Certification Requirements

To apply for your certification, you’ll need to submit the following:

An application form
Your high school diploma and proof of completion of at least 600 hours of accredited journeyman electrician course curriculum
A signed Employment Verification form from your apprenticeship supervisor documenting 8,000 hours of supervised work experience
A Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) background check
Payment of the $226 application and exam fee

Licensing Fees

Applicants must then take and pass the state certification exam for journeyman electricians in MA. Those who pass their tests must pay an additional licensing fee of $104 and will receive their official electrician license the same day.

Electrician Salaries in MA

Although the average electrician salary in Massachusetts is about $75,850 per year, your earnings may differ depending on your experience and where you live. Take a look at the following list of regional annual salaries for electricians in MA:

Boston $76,860
New Bedford $66,280
Springfield $77,180
Worcester $71,640
Salem $70,227
Bridgewater $74,229

More experienced electricians in MA might earn salaries closer to $91,540 per year, especially if they obtain the necessary certification to become master electricians. Those who get government positions or become private contractors who run their own electrician businesses can often make even more.

Job Description

What Do They Do?

Electricians in MA are responsible for troubleshooting, installing, maintaining, repairing and replacing wiring, control, and lighting systems in homes and businesses. Daily duties for these professionals typically include:

Inspecting transformers, circuit breakers, and other electrical components
Using specialized testing equipment to identify electrical issues
Maintaining a steady hand and practicing proper safety protocols while using hand and power tools
Upgrading electrical panels to power more appliances
Ensuring electrical systems are up to code
Connecting electrical systems to outdoor powerlines to provide electricity to buildings
Restoring power after storms and outages

Physical Demands of Electrician Jobs

Electricians work in a wide range of spaces and settings. As such, they need to be able to sit, neal, stand, and crouch for long periods while doing their work. An electrician should also be able to lift up to 50 lbs and maintain focus while working in inclement weather and extremely hot or cold temperatures.

Career Outlook

Experts at the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predict a seven-percent increase in the demand for electricians over the next ten years. As more electricians in MA open their own businesses or pursue different skilled trades careers, more electrician jobs in Massachusetts are likely to become available.