There are about 2000 electricians in Alaska, with tons of demand for many more. This, along with their impressive salary, makes the occupation hugely appealing. If you have a penchant for electronic components, a career in the field may be just what you’ve been looking for.
To become an electrician in Alaska, you will have to follow some steps common for electricians in every state and some that are peculiar to only electricians in Alaska.
Figuring out these distinctions can be tricky, and that is why we have provided below an in-depth article containing everything you need to know about how to become an electrician in Alaska, such as what steps are the most important, what certification and licensing requirements there are, and of course how much salary you can expect.
How to Become an Electrician in Alaska
As one would expect, the first step in becoming an electrician in Nevada is to enroll in a training program, either a vocational school, college or an apprenticeship. Most of these schools tend to have their prerequisites, the most important of which is to possess a high school diploma or GED already.
Formal training programs from colleges and trade schools tend to go deep into fundamental theories while incorporating as much hands-on training as possible. Apprenticeships combine hands-on training with a few classroom sessions and mentorship.
Certification and licensing are usually important for electricians. Later we’ll take a look at just what this process entails, but first, we take a look at some of the best schools for electricians in Alaska.
Top Electrician Schools in Alaska
There are more than enough alternatives for anyone looking for top electrician schools in Alaska, including colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeship schools. Below are some of the most prominent entries in these categories.
1. Alaska Technical Center
834 4th Street, Kotzebue, AK 99752
Alaska Technical Center is one of the most popular training programs for electricians in Alaska, and for a good reason. The school has built a solid reputation thanks to its commitment to rigorous training, knowledgeable instructors, and a wonderful learning environment.
Graduates of the program are always technically sound, and even though they may continue through an apprenticeship, they would have nonetheless obtained a ton of experience even while in training.
2. Alaska’s Institute of Technology - AVTEC
Anchorage Campus - 1251 Muldoon Road Anchorage, Alaska 99504
Seward Campus - 809 2nd Avenue Seward, Alaska, 99664
Alaska’s Vocational Institute of Technology (AVTEC) has two campuses in Anchorage and Seward to offer more flexibility for its students.
To enter, students must fulfill a handful of requirements, including being physically fit, good at math and reading, and good with computer hardware and software.
3. Iḷisaġvik College
100 Stevenson Street, 749 Barrow Alaska 99723
Iḷisaġvik College in Barrow rounds up our list of the three best schools to study as an aspiring electrician in Alaska. This is no surprise, as these three colleges are often grouped in this regard.
As expected, the school boasts a beautiful campus and a team of accomplished instructors. Additionally, students are trained on all key important fundamentals of electrical systems while encouraging creative thinking on a personal level.
By the time they graduate, students are not only able to put their acquired knowledge to use but also come up with new solutions on their own.
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Licensure and Certification Requirements
To become certified as an electrician in Alaska, you must obtain the necessary documentation from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. To take it even further and start working as an independent electrical contractor or as an official business, you must obtain a license from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
Of course, before all of this, during the training process, you must have registered as an apprentice with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
It is also worth mentioning that the certification exam will cost you about $50, while the exam itself takes 4 hours to complete. The license exam costs $200.
Salary and Job Outlook
Electricians in Alaska are among the highest paid in the field nationwide. Their $83,049 annual average salary is at least 36% higher than the national average. For those who are just starting and have gotten to this level yet, they can still expect to earn an annual average salary of at least $59,769.
Those in the top ten percent of earners take home at least $115,397 annually. Factors such as experience, area of specialization, overtime, and many more can determine just how much one earns as an electrician in Alaska.
As for the highest-paid cities, Kodak, Barrow, and Anchorage lead the way with an annual average salary of $123,398, $88,253, and $80,377, respectively.
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