Technology has advanced so much in such a short period that electronic/electrical components have become quite pervasive in our everyday lives. Consequently, so needs professionals capable of installing, repairing, and upgrading these components on our behalf.
For their reward, electricians in Florida enjoy a high volume of demand for their expertise and an impressive salary to go with it. If you also want to consider a career as an electrician in Florida, the resource below is of immense help.
Here, we look at critical aspects of becoming an electrician in Florida, such as the essential prerequisites, the available training programs, and the state licensure requirements.
How to Become an Electrician in Florida
To become an electrician in Florida, you must undergo a training program. Training programs can be run by colleges and vocational schools or by unions and organizations.
When organized by the latter, these programs are usually structured as apprenticeship programs for hands-on training.
Before you can be accepted into either of these programs, specific requirements must be met. While most of these requirements vary from program to program, the common denominator is that candidates are asked to be at least 17 or 18 years old and must have a high school diploma or GED.
Formal Training Programs
Formal training programs run by colleges and technical/trade schools usually provide a rigid training structure and facilities wherein students train for a couple of years to become competent electricians.
There are several formal training programs for aspiring electricians in Florida, and we will discuss some of them in the upcoming section.
Apprenticeship Programs
Some trade unions in the state offer high-quality government-approved apprenticeship training for aspiring electricians in Florida. It is also possible for these apprenticeship programs to be run by non-union organizations or even companies – but they must also be approved to be valid.
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Top Electrician Schools in Florida
Below are a few high-quality training programs for aspiring electricians in Florida to consider.
1. Erwin Technical College
Erwin Technical College, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, is located in Tampa and has a high-quality training program for aspiring electricians all over the state.
Classes take place strictly at the Tampa campus, where students get to learn under the tutelage of experienced instructors.
The school currently has about 717 students across multiple programs.
2. Southern Technical College
Another extraordinary institution in Florida, Southern Technical College, offers quality Electrical Technology programs for aspiring electricians anywhere in the state.
Students here will undergo rigorous training in various critical electrical systems topics and acquire an associate degree in Electrical Trades Technology by the time they are through the program.
Training takes just 72 weeks, and classes are held in the school’s Brandon and Orlando campuses.
3. Everest University
Everest University is another Tampa institution with a beautiful Electrical Technician program. The school offers a fast-tracked certificate program where students learn the fundamentals of electrical components and acquire the skills necessary to secure employment.
Notable Mentions
Other notable institutions for aspiring electricians in Tampa include Northwest Lineman College in Florida, Fort Myers Technical College in Fort Myers, Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Everest University in Orange Park, Miami Lakes Educational Center, and Technical College in Miami Lakes, and Orange Technical College in Winter Garden.
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Licensure and Certification Requirements
The steps above are enough to start you as an electrician in Florida. But to start working professionally and taking on a contract, you must obtain a state license. The body in charge of licensing electricians in Florida is the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (ECLB) under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
To become licensed as an electrician in Florida, you must be at least 18 years old and have acquired 8000 hours of documented electrical experience. Training from a technical college or an apprenticeship program usually counts towards these hours.
Once you meet the above requirements, you may proceed to take the journeyman certification exam and then the master electrician certification exam two years after.
Salary and Job Outlook
Aspiring electricians in Florida will be glad to know that the annual salary for electricians in the States is practically on par with the national average of $52,807.
Of course, it is possible to fall below or above the average figure depending on factors such as experience, location, and specific establishment of employment. Those who optimized these factors usually fall within the top 10% of earners and take home around $75,636 annually.
Those who fall into the bottom 10% take home close to $36,868 per year.
Ocala, Jacksonville, and Tampa are the highest-paying cities for electricians in Florida, with annual average salaries of $66,732, $55,840, and $54,793.
Orlando and Miami round up the top five with annual average wages of $53,327 and $53,304, respectively.
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