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Apprentice Electrician
Skilled TradesYou've graduated from flashlight holder to actual wiring work — with supervision. You'll split time between classroom theory and job-site practice, slowly earning the right to touch a live panel without someone hovering behind you. The apprenticeship is 4-5 years, and every journeyman will remind you they did it too. You'll study code books thicker than phone books and wonder how anyone memorizes all this.
Salary Range
Low
$35k
Median
$42k
High
$50k
10-Year Growth
11%
US Workers
739K
Education
Apprenticeship enrollment (4-5 years, IBEW or non-union)
Environment
outdoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Residential wiring (outlets, switches, fixtures)
- ▸Conduit bending & installation
- ▸NEC code fundamentals
- ▸Multimeter & voltage tester use
- ▸Wire stripping & termination
- ▸Blueprint reading basics
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Problem solving
- ▸Attention to detail
- ▸Time management
- ▸Study discipline
- ▸Physical stamina
- ▸Safety awareness
Learn the skills
Courses and certifications to get you job-ready
Blueprint reading basics
What you'll actually do
- 01Attend night classes after a full day of physical work because apparently sleep is optional
- 02Wire outlets, switches, and fixtures under supervision
- 03Study the NEC code book like it's sacred text — because inspectors treat it that way
- 04Run conduit and pull wire on residential and commercial jobs
- 05Pass milestone tests that determine if you keep getting paid to learn
- 06Earn more responsibility each year and slowly stop being called 'the apprentice'
Related Shifts
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