Electricians are professionals with extensive knowledge of how electrical systems and components work. Before acquiring such expertise, an electrician must have attended and graduated from a training program.
Of course, a handful of alternatives exist for those who want to avoid attending formal training programs. Below, we look at everything you need to know to start a successful career as an electrician in California.
We discuss the basic educational requirements, the licensure and certification requirements, and the potential salary to look forward to.
How to Become an Electrician in California
The following are the steps involved in becoming an electrician in California.
Step 1: Fulfill the Basic Requirements
Any aspiring electrician in California must begin with an electrician education program. As we’ll see below, there are alternatives to these programs. But one common thing to all of them is to ask that candidates possess a high school diploma or GED.
Step 2: Enroll in a Training Program
Aspiring electricians in California usually choose between a vocational/technical school or an apprenticeship program.
- Technical Schools - Technical School programs are essential for acquiring a solid combination of classroom training and hands-on practices for aspiring electricians. Below we list a few of California’s most notable technical schools for future electricians to consider.
- Apprenticeships - Apprenticeship programs may be organized by unions or even non-union organizations and companies. These programs usually emphasize hands-on training and are known to offer mentorship that extends even after the program is complete.
For an apprenticeship program to be valid, it must be approved by the state’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
While technically, those who have completed training programs can obtain a license and start working. Some often acquire even more real-world experience by working as assistants for a while before starting their careers.
Top Electrician Schools in California
1. Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC)
California residents looking to pursue a career in Electrical Technology may consider the certificate program offered at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. The school also offers an associate degree option for those seeking more extensive field training.
Along with state-of-the-art facilities, the Los Angeles Trade Technical College also boasts experienced instructors and is known for being quite flexible.
Individuals looking to experience hands-on training would consider the school because it allows its students to work with licensed electricians.
2. Long Beach City College
Long Beach City College has a beautiful electrician training program on its campus at Long Beach. The school remains one of the state’s most prominent destinations for aspiring electricians thanks to its comprehensive coursework and beautiful facilities.
The program lasts for 450 hours every year and includes evening and day sections. Students get a chance to choose between certificate degree or associate degree programs. Notable Mentions
Aspiring electricians in Los Angeles looking for other options apart from the ones mentioned above may consider the electronics programs at Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Harbor College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles Valley College, Mt San Antonio College, Pasadena City College, Chabot College, Contra Costa College, and Diablo Valley College.
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Licensure and Certification Requirements
Electricians in California must be licensed before they can practice professionally. They must first register as electrical trainees with the State of California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to do so. Registration for licensure incurs a $25 application fee.
After graduating from their training programs, electricians must acquire work experience and apply for the general or residential electrician license. The state body in charge of licensing electricians in California is the State of California Department of Industrial Relations.
General or residential electricians can then receive an Electrical Contractor license from the California Contractors State License Board, which they can use to take on more significant contracts.
Salary and Job Outlook
As mentioned earlier, California is one of the highest-paying states for electricians in the country. An average electrician in California earns around $71,593 every year. Those in the top 10% of salary earners in the field take home an average of $111,662 yearly, while those in the bottom 10% still earn at least $45,902 annually.
Among some factors that can influence how much you will earn as an electrician in California is your specific location within the state, experience level, certification level, and particular industry of employment, among others.
Sorting strictly by location, Martinez (with an annual average salary of $97,702) is the highest-paying city for electricians in California, followed by San Jose ($83,024), Lemoore ($78,696), Sacramento ($77,050), and San Diego $71,285.
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