Did you know that electricians have a median salary of about $57,000 per year in the United States of America? There are many reasons to become an electrician if you’re unsure of the right career path to take. There is a big demand by many companies that are looking for a new electrician so there should be no shortage of job opportunities.
Electrician careers are quite rewarding and you’ll learn a bunch of useful skills that will make you a valuable asset to many different endeavors. It is a great opportunity to use your talents to make good money and support your family.
There are some things that you need to consider trying to become an electrician. The good news is that you’re in the right place to learn about seven different things to think about before starting down that path. Keep reading this article to learn more!
- Getting an Apprenticeship Is Difficult
It isn’t a walk in the park when it comes to getting an apprenticeship as an electrician, so keep in mind that there are no guarantees with this career path. There are always a ton of applicants that want to become an electrician and there are only a few spots that need to get filled. Most apprenticeships also last three or four years, so there is a long road ahead if you do get accepted.
You need to keep in mind that electrician training is a big commitment when it comes to your time. It is very different from attending a trade school for a year or two.
- Understand Application Requirements
There are certain things that you need to have in order to start applying to become an electrician in the United States. You need to be at least 18 years of age at the time that you get selected and you need to have a high school diploma or a GED to your name. It is also required that you hold a valid driver’s license.
There are also academic requirements to consider, especially when it comes to math courses. You need to have a passing grade for at least one credit of high school algebra or one semester of college algebra in order to meet the requirements. They also require you to be free of any drug use and you’ll need to pass an aptitude test before you get accepted.
Knowing how long it takes will make your journey to become a new electrician much easier. There is a reason why it’s considered one of the best trade careers.
- You’ll Need a Specialty
Another thing to think about when you choose to become an electrician is the specialty that you’ll focus on. Some electricians focus on running wires in residential buildings or homes, while others have a specialty in installing circuits and low-voltage systems. Each of those specialties requires three years of training.
You can also try your hand at becoming an outside lineman. These professionals install transmission lines in the great outdoors, and it requires 3.5 years of training to become an electrician with this specialty.
Inside wiremen require the most training, coming in at five years. They handle working in commercial and industrial settings, which are often high-voltage areas.
- There Might Be an Entrance Test
You need to accept the fact that there could be an entrance test in order to get admission to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Any electrician needs to have strong abilities in mathematics and algebra in order to be successful. The entrance test will have a big focus on those two areas of study.
You can get your electrician career off to a great start by attending a trade school since it shows potential employers that you’re serious and committed to becoming an electrician. It will do wonders for increasing your chances of getting accepted into the IBEW and it will give you the skills and knowledge that you need.
- Union Dues
There are union dues that come with becoming an electrician, so be prepared to pay your dues. The dues that you’re paying are used to support the goals of your union. There is an initiation fee that costs you $200, and then you’ll also pay around $20 each month in union dues.
There is also a per capita due that is around 2 percent of your base wages as an electrician. You should expect to pay a few hundred dollars each year in union dues.
- Getting Journeyman License
It also takes quite a bit of time and electrician training in order to get your journeyman license as an electrician. Most apprenticeships require four to five years of training and experience. Keep in mind that you’re locking yourself into a four-to-five-year commitment to the IBEW if you choose to become a journeyman through their programs. This might not be the best fit for everyone.
- Lack of Flexibility
There is also a lack of flexibility that comes with becoming a union member when you become an electrician. Working as an electrician that is independent will give you the flexibility to work hours that work for you or even work part-time if you prefer. It is a great benefit to attend a trade school if you want to become an electrician while maintaining that flexibility in your life.
Joining the union and getting your electrician training through them will lead to a lack of flexibility with your time and your career. You can get the training that you need while working part-time at a different job to support yourself and pay for your schooling. It all comes down to what works best for you.
Start Taking Steps to Become an Electrician
It is never too late to start looking into what it takes to become an electrician, but there are a number of things that you need to consider before you start electrician training. It takes years to become a new electrician, and there are great job opportunities that come with electrician careers. You’ll make great money while putting your talents to good use.
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