Many electricians in Mississippi specialize in areas ranging from residential wiring and industrial machinery to renewable energy systems. Specialization is optional to begin a career in the field, and some even focus on general electrical systems. The guide below aims to help candidates identify which steps in becoming an electrician in Mississippi are mandatory and which steps are not.
We discuss, among other things, the education and training requirements, different pathways and alternatives for hands-on training, and licensure requirements. Those who want to become certified for a professional edge will also learn how to do so below.
How to Become an Electrician in Mississippi
The following is an overview of how to become an electrician in Mississippi.
Choosing a Training Program
Ultimately, aspiring electricians in Mississippi want to ensure they get the right classroom training and hands-on experience. To do so, they may consider the following approaches:
Academic Program
In Mississippi, candidates attend academic programs in electrical technology to understand fundamental topics in the field and earn valuable awards and degrees that will contribute towards career growth.
Individuals are free to pursue a certificate that can be completed in a few months, an associate degree that can be completed in two years, or even a bachelor’s degree that takes four years to complete.
Apprenticeship Programs
Attending an apprenticeship program is a popular pathway to becoming an electrician in Mississippi. State-approved apprenticeship programs help students acquire theoretical training while spending most of their time working with actual tools and projects.
Most full-time apprenticeship programs take 5 years to complete. During this time, students receive around 8,000 hours of work experience and 1,000 hours of classroom-based training.
Additional Requirements
To receive admission into any training programs above, candidates are usually expected to have a driver’s license and social security card. They may also be expected to pass an aptitude test and provide their high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Licensure & Certification Requirements
In most places, electricians in Mississippi are expected to receive a license before they start working professionally. However, the specific license or requirements for a candidate to follow will depend on their specific location within the state.
Most jurisdictions follow the Journeyman License to Electrical Contractor or pipeline. Those who have completed the above steps usually qualify to participate in the journeyman electrician licensing exam.
The fees for this exam also vary, with candidates in South Haven, for instance, having to pay an application fee of $50.
Individuals who don’t want to work under a contractor but want to take on contracts of their own may become electrical contractors. To do so, they must either have a four-year electrical degree with one year of working experience or four years of work experience with a certificate from a technical school.
The state offers two electrical contractor licensing categories: residential and commercial.
Top Electrician Schools in Mississippi
The entries below are among the most notable training programs for aspiring electricians in Mississippi.
Hinds Community College
Raymond, MS Campus Only
Hinds Community College offers a certificate program for aspiring electricians in the region. The school also offers two associate degree programs that can be completed in two years.
Tuition
$125 - $225 per ProgramContact
(601) 936-1841
Bobby.Rhodes@hindscc.edu
Delta Technical College
Ridgeland, MS Campus Only
Located in Ridgeland, Delta Technical College offers industrial, commercial, and residential electrician technology programs.
Tuition
$15,425 per ProgramContact
(866) 733-6652
Mississippi Delta Community College
Moorhead, MS Campus Only
Lastly, Mississippi residents can receive their training at the Mississippi Delta Community College campus at Moorhead.
Tuition
$1,570 per YearContact
(662) 246-6322
dgrant@msdelta.edu
Explore electrician schools in Mississippi by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
In Mississippi, most electricians fall into the midpoint category of earners, taking home an annual average salary of around $62,412. After optimizing factors influencing these figures, candidates can reach an annual average salary of $94,141 or even more.
This will put them among the highest-paid in the top 10%.
For the lowest earners in the electrical technology field in Mississippi, the annual average salary is usually around a minimum of $41,377.
The optimizable factors referenced above include the candidate’s experience, specific location within the state, credentials, and specialty focus.
Choosing only location as the predominant factor, all else being equal, electricians in Gulfport are the highest-paid in Mississippi, taking home an annual average salary of $73,303. Also worth mentioning are those in Byhalia, with an annual average salary of $61,662, and those in Jackson, who earn around $59,716 per year on average.