An electrician’s responsibilities range from installing and maintaining electrical components to wiring and lighting, troubleshooting, repair, and replacement, among other things. An electrician must also be technically sound and capable of reading diagrams and blueprints.
To acquire this knowledge, Maryland requires candidates to attend a training program and fulfill a handful of other requirements, which we examine in-depth below.
After highlighting the top schools and training programs to consider, we also provide a possible salary projection for electricians in Maryland, depending on several factors.
How to Become an Electrician in Maryland
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to become an electrician in Maryland.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
In Maryland, an aspiring electrician must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED. Trade schools and apprenticeship programs are responsible for setting these requirements.
Additionally, the government also requires that candidates possess a driver’s license.
Step 2A: Receive Academic Training
The only way to become an electrician in Maryland is to attend an academic program at a notable trade school or community college.
These programs focus on classroom instructions but tend to incorporate extensive laboratory work so that students have enough real-world experience to perform their duties at a high level.
Step 2B: Receive Apprenticeship Training
Instead of attending an academic institution, aspiring electricians in Maryland may begin their careers by attending an apprenticeship program. These programs may be organized by trade unions, the government, or even private schools.
The Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program (MATP) must approve an electrician apprenticeship program in Maryland for it to be valid.
These programs are notable for comprehensive hands-on training and some classroom instruction. They typically require 2,000 hours of work experience.
Step 3: Work Experience
The state of Maryland expects aspiring electricians to receive significant work experience before they can obtain a license. This is why apprenticeship programs are so popular.
At this point, students are still able to perform their duties, but they must do so under the supervision of a master electrician. After fulfilling the requirements, candidates may move on to the licensing process below.
Consider trades with similar paths:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
The Maryland State Board of Electricians licenses electricians in Maryland. To become a journeyman electrician in Maryland, individuals must pass various steps depending on whether they attended an apprenticeship or academic program.
Those who attended academic programs must complete a journeyman licensing exam. In contrast, those who attended apprenticeship programs approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program do not need to write an exam.
After obtaining a journeyman license, candidates may earn a master electrician license. This will allow professionals to start their businesses and take on bigger contracts.
Top Electrician Schools in Maryland
The following list includes some of the top electrician schools in Maryland.
College of Southern Maryland
Hughesville, MD Campus Only
The College of Southern Maryland is another top-quality school offering associate degree programs for future electricians in the state.
Tuition
$140 - $335 per CreditContact
(301) 934-2251
askme@csmd.edu
Lincoln College of Technology
Columbia, MD Campus Only
Lincoln College of Technology offers high-quality trade and technical training through multiple campuses nationwide.
Tuition
$505 - $635 per CreditContact
(410) 290-7100
Explore electrician schools in Maryland by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
An electrician in Maryland may expect to earn an average salary of around $66,458 yearly. This figure is the annual average for those at the midpoint of factors such as location, experience, expertise, and company/firm of employment.
On the upper end of the spectrum are the top 10% of earners, making an annual average salary of $111,316, while on the bottom end are the lowest 10%, making around $39,667 in average salary every year.
Sorting by experience, electricians in Maryland with less than 1 year of experience make an annual average salary of $62,565. In contrast, electricians in the state with up to 10 years of experience make an annual average salary of $77,227.
Sorting by location, Pasadena is the highest-paying city to be an electrician in Maryland, with an annual average salary of $73,625. Rockville follows this with an annual average salary of $72,286; Baltimore with an annual average salary of $70,902; Frederick with an annual average salary of $66,226; and Westminster with an annual average salary of $65,649.