Electrical components are everywhere, from our homes to our cars and even in public places. For this reason, the demand for electricians has increased significantly and is projected to go up even further in the coming decades.
Consequently, more and more residents of Pennsylvania are considering a career as an electrician. If you find yourself in these shoes, you will be glad to know that the resources below are as good a place to start your journey.
Here, you will find every crucial information, including the educational requirements, certification options, and potential salary.
How to Become an Electrician in Pennsylvania
Basic Prerequisites
The basic prerequisites for becoming an electrician in Pennsylvania are simple. First, you must be at least 17 years old to be accepted in most training programs. Secondly, these programs ask for proof of high school graduation via a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Training Programs
Future electricians in Pennsylvania must enroll in a training program. This can either be an on-the-job program or a formal institutional program.
On the job Programs
On-the-job programs seek to train future electricians while they are practicing. For this reason, they usually involve a lot of hands-on training.
Some on-the-job training programs may also incorporate elements of classroom training to bring up students on the theoretical aspects of the job.
Examples of on-the-job training programs are apprenticeship programs run by unions and approved companies. It is also acceptable to work as an electrician assistant under the supervision of licensed electricians.
Institutional Programs
Electricians who wish to earn a certificate or an associate degree before they seek employment may consider enrolling in institutional programs instead.
Community colleges and vocational schools offer several of these programs in Pennsylvania. We take a look at some of these below.
Consider trades with similar paths:
Top Electrician Schools in Pennsylvania
1. Orleans Technical College
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, Orleans Technical College is the number one entry on our list of the most notable training programs for aspiring electricians in Pennsylvania, thanks to its comprehensive coursework and rigorous hands-on training sessions.
Students who graduate from this program can sit for commercial and residential electrical licensure exams.
2. Delaware County Community College
Delaware County Community College in Media, Pennsylvania, is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and boasts a high-quality training program for aspiring electricians.
The school’s residential electrical certificate program offers a fast-track option for those who wish to graduate faster. Those who are okay with spending more time learning the trade may opt for one of the more extended options.
Notable Mentions
- Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville offers an excellent electrical technology training program focusing on hands-on training even before graduation.
- Northampton County Area Community College in Bethlehem is another popular destination in the state for future electricians to acquire high-quality training under the supervision of experienced instructors.
- Other notable options for aspiring electricians in Philadelphia to consider include McCann School of Business and Technology in Pottsville, Indiana County Technology Center in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, Lancaster County Career and Technology Center in Lancaster, and Pittsburgh Technical School in Oakdale Pennsylvania.
Explore Electrician Schools by City:
Licensure and Certification Requirements
All electricians in Pennsylvania are expected to obtain a license before they can secure employment, take on contracts and work on electrical projects.
But unlike most other states, licensing for electricians in Pennsylvania is not done by the state but by each of the municipalities. Usually, however, most of them follow the same approach — aspiring electricians must first enter into an apprenticeship program, attend a trade school or work under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician, as highlighted above.
From there, most municipalities require that candidates pass an exam organized by the International Code Council (ICC) in that particular county or city.
Salary and Job Outlook
The annual average salary for electricians in Pennsylvania is $59,234. Entry-level workers just starting may earn below this figure at an average of around $40,877. In comparison, established professionals in the field usually take home an annual average salary of about $85,834.
The factors that influence these figures include experience, certification, specialization, location, and establishment of employment.
There is also the possibility of earning around $9,438 in overtime.
Sorting by years of experience, electricians in Pennsylvania with less than one year on the job usually earn an annual average salary of $55,754. In contrast, those with over ten years of work experience earn around $68,800 yearly.
Nazareth ($77,805), Malvern ($73,937), and Harrisburg ($65,731) are the highest-paying cities for electricians in Pennsylvania, followed by Philadelphia ($62,372) and Pittsburgh ($60,577).
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