Anyone looking to become an electrician in New York can do so by obtaining an appropriate level of training and gaining enough work experience to qualify for a state license. In return, they enjoy a career with much room for growth and an impressive salary.
Of course, before you can get started with the process, you have to understand what the process entails in the first place. Questions such as training options, certification options, path to licensing, and even potential salary range must all be answered.
And that is exactly why we have created this article. Below we provide comprehensive answers to all of these questions and more.
How to Become an Electrician in New York
A good thing about becoming an electrician in New York is that you don’t necessarily have a college degree to get started. Some people do, of course, but not everyone has to.
Alternatively, you may attend a vocational school with an impressive certificate program. Additionally, you may skip formal programs entirely and simply enroll in an apprenticeship training program. And, of course, you may do both and enjoy the best of both worlds.
A common approach is to spend time in a trade school and then spend a little more time in an apprenticeship to gain the necessary real-world exposure. It is also worth mentioning that those who do this spend less time in the apprenticeship program than those who go straight into apprenticeship programs without attending a trade school.
Top Electrician Schools in New York
Having established just how important it is to attend an electrician school in your quest to become an electrician in New York, below are some of the most prominent institutions you may consider in this regard.
The Borough of Manhattan Community College
New York City, NY Online + Campus
The Borough of Manhattan Community College offers an intensive electrician training program that can be completed in around 144 hours.
Tuition
$5,170 - $8,050Contact
199 Chambers Street c/o 25 Broad Street, New York, New York 1007
(212) 220-8000
admissions@bmcc.cuny.edu
The School for Cooperative Technical Education
New York City, NY Online + Campus
The School for Cooperative Technical Education has existed for more than three decades. It is an initiative of the state's Department of Education work-based learning program and teaches students core electrical principles and topics such as rigid conduit raceway systems, motor control center installation, and installing splicing and terminating wires and cables, among others.
Tuition
FreeContact
321 E 96th St, New York, New York
(212) 369-8800
coopadmissions@schools.nyc.gov
NYC College of Technology
New York City, NY Online + Campus
Lastly, the NYC College of Technology is another noteworthy alternative for aspiring electricians in New York. The school's Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering Technology department offers a chance to graduate with an associate's degree in electrical systems.
Tuition
$7,320 - $15,270Contact
186 Jay Street, Voorhees Hall, Brooklyn, New York 11201
(718) 260-5500
Admissions@citytech.cuny.edu
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Licensure and Certification Requirements
Electricians in New York are licensed through the New York City Department of Buildings. The department has two main categories for its license.
The first category is the Special Electricians for electricians who wish to work on specific buildings and lots. This includes hospital systems, hotel school districts, and municipal agencies buildings.
The second category is the Master Electricians category for electricians who wish to work as independent contractors and can bid on jobs and work in any building in New York City.
Each category has its unique requirements. For example, Special Electricians must be at least 21 years old and have at least seven years of experience. They must also pass a written and practical exam.
Salary and Job Outlook
Entry-level electricians in New York often start their careers with an annual average salary of around $38,643 which is on par with the average salary for other states. Once they acquire more experience on the job, they may start earning an annual average of $59,944.
The highest-paid electricians in the state often earn as high as $92,986. Apart from experience level, location also plays a huge role in how much an electrician makes every year in New York.
Cities such as Yonkers, Binghamton, and New York City reward electricians in the state the most, with an annual average salary of $82,937, $66,807, and $$66,246, respectively.
Carpenters in Queens and Brooklyn earn an annual average salary of $60,413 and $57,131 per year, respectively.
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