A career as an electrician in Louisiana involves installing electrical systems in residential and commercial environments, maintaining them, and repairing them when necessary.
The state of Louisiana has well-established guidelines governing how candidates can begin a career in this field. Individuals who dedicate the time to understand this process even before they start their journeys will enjoy a more straightforward time than those who don’t. The purpose of the guide below is to introduce readers to these steps in a concise yet comprehensive manner.
We discuss the educational options, licensure considerations, and certification requirements.
How to Become an Electrician in Louisiana
Below is a step-by-step overview of how to become an electrician in Louisiana.
Academic Education
Academic education is optional for aspiring electricians in Louisiana. However, several candidates still choose to attend an academic program because it offers strong foundational training and valuable degrees/awards that may be useful throughout a career.
Several community colleges and trade schools offer these programs for candidates in the state, and we explore some of them below. Candidates will also be glad to know that they may enroll in hybrid training programs or faster programs, such as certificate programs, to start their careers as quickly as possible.
Work experience
Prospective electricians in New Orleans are expected to have work experience before starting their careers. The duration and capacity of the experience’s acquisition may vary from one place to another within the state.
Generally, however, candidates who attend apprenticeship programs are well-prepared in classroom instructions and hands-on education.
They may also have the opportunity to earn some income even while they are still considered apprentices.
Career Growth
After meeting the licensure requirements in their specific city within the state, electricians in Louisiana may continue to improve themselves even after securing employment. They may do so through continuing education and learning the job’s business side.
Furthermore, they can become electrical contractors and hire licensed electricians. The following section explains the most important steps to acquire an electrician license at multiple state levels.
Explore other trades with similar paths:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
Electricians in Louisiana are often expected to receive a license before they can start working. However, the specific requirements to be licensed vary from location to location within the state. Notably, some places have no licensure requirements for candidates working on residential properties that cost less than $50,000.
In places like New Orleans, candidates are expected to have 5 years of work experience and then take a journeyman electrician licensing exam before starting to work professionally.
Journeyman electricians with 5 years of work experience may receive a master’s license.
Master electricians may acquire an electrical contractor license to run their businesses. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors issues electrical contractor licenses statewide.
Top Electrician Schools in Louisiana
Residents of Louisiana may receive top-quality electrical technology training from any of the programs below.
Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA Campus + Online
Delgado Community College offers residential, commercial, and industrial electrical technology training programs for future electricians in Louisiana.
Tuition
$134 per CreditContact
(504) 941-8518
calvar@dcc.edu
Sowela Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA Campus + Online
Sowela Technical Community College in Lake Charles offers another strong electrical technology program that has produced several successful graduates in the field.
Tuition
$134 - $219 per ProgramContact
(337) 421-6979
christopher.fontenot@sowela.edu
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Alexandria, LA Campus Only
The General Electrical Technology program at Central Louisiana Technical Community College is another excellent option for candidates to consider.
Tuition
$1,898 per SemesterContact
(318) 487-5443
admissions@cltcc.edu
Explore electrician schools in Louisiana by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
Any electrician in Louisiana can eventually scale their earnings to be among the highest-paid in the state, taking home an annual average salary of $86,295. However, at the very beginning of their careers, they may be closer to the lowest-paid in the state, taking home an annual average salary of $39,497, good enough for the bottom 10%.
Most electricians in the state earn an annual average salary of around $58,382, which is relevant for the midpoint earners.
With time and by optimizing factors such as their location in the state, specialty focus, and professional reputations/credentials, candidates can eventually improve their salaries to make them among the highest earners.
Those who would like to know the best locations to receive higher annual salaries in Louisiana include Westlake, with an annual average salary of $72,908, and Baton Rouge, with an annual average salary of $68,871. Electricians in New Orleans take home an annual average salary of $67,696.