South Carolina remains a highly appealing state for aspiring electricians. There are tons of demands for electricians in the state, and they’re rewarded with an annual average salary that ranks among the best in the country.
Like any state, the journey to become a successful electrician in South Carolina begins with top-quality training. Luckily, there are plenty of options for specific institutions where this training can be obtained. Of course, there are also additional steps to complete before you can begin to practice as an electrician in South Carolina.
We will look at these requirements and more in the sections below.
How to Become an Electrician in South Carolina
Below is a step-by-step breakdown of the required process to become an electrician in South Carolina.
Step 1: Meeting the Basic Requirements
The first step to becoming an electrician in South Carolina is to meet the basic requirements. Thankfully, these are simple: you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and have a basic understanding of mathematics and physics.
Step 2: Choose a Training Arrangement.
Candidates may consider any of three training arrangements for their actual training.
- Academic Programs - Fresh electricians in South Carolina starting their careers tend to seek academic training at a trade school or community college. Here, they’ll earn a certificate or associate degree, depending on how long they spend in school.
This will also go a long way in helping them stand out when it’s time to secure employment.
- Apprenticeship Programs—Attending an apprenticeship program is the most popular approach to becoming an electrician in South Carolina. These programs are usually consistent in their approach, offering predominantly hands-on training with little classroom instruction.
- Carpenter’s Assistant—Candidates can also learn on the job by working as a carpenter’s assistant until they are ready to branch out independently. This arrangement is particularly suitable for candidates who have completed a fast-tracked academic program and are willing to consolidate their training with more hands-on training.
Step 3: Specialize, Stand Out, & Secure Employment
Lastly, after their general training, candidates may choose an area of specialization to narrow their options and give themselves better career opportunities. As we highlight further below, professional credentials may also help greatly in this regard.
From there, they may fulfill the certification and licensing requirements below to kickstart their careers.
Consider trades with similar paths:
Licensure & Certification Requirements
South Carolina is one of the states that has mandatory certification and licensing requirements for candidates.
While the South Carolina Department of Licensing and Regulation is responsible for issuing a state license to fresh electricians, the Municipal Association of South Carolina issues certifications needed to obtain professional licenses.
To qualify for these, candidates must obtain academic and hands-on training. They must then earn a journeyman electrician license and pass the appropriate examination.
After working as a certified and licensed journeyman electrician in the state for 4 years, candidates may take the master electrician examination.
Top Electrician Schools in South Carolina
The following are some of the most prominent electrician schools in South Carolina.
Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College in Charleston offers versatile and comprehensive programs for aspiring electricians nationwide. Graduates of this program may work in various capacities, including industrial electricians, construction electricians, and automated controls electricians.
Most of the programs can be completed in 1 to 2 years. Tuition is very affordable.
Piedmont Technical College
Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood has a reputation for producing successful electricians thanks to a 2-year degree program in electronic engineering technology. The program boasts state-of-the-art facilities, experienced instructors, and a significant emphasis on hands-on training.
Midlands Technical College
Midlands Technical College has helped several individuals launch technical and trade careers nationwide. Aspiring electricians may take advantage of the associate degree program in electronics engineering technology to do the same.
One of the program’s most notable features is its reputation for balancing classroom training and hands-on instruction.
Explore electrician schools in South Carolina by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
The annual average salary for an electrician in South Carolina usually depends on a few factors, including what stage they are in their careers, where they work in the state, and which particular company employs them.
Generally, an average electrician earner in the state takes home around $54,438 yearly, while the top 10% earn an annual average salary of $92,566. Those among the bottom 10% still manage an annual average salary of around $32,015.
The best places to work as an electrician in South Carolina include Anderson, with an annual average salary of $73,138; Goose Creek, with an annual average salary of $55,599; and Charleston, with an annual average salary of $54,611.
Electricians in Mount Pleasant are among the top five with an annual average salary of $54,577, while those in Simpsonville complete the ranking with an annual average salary of around $53,993.
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