Electricians provide a critical skill set necessary for modern living to run well.
This career necessitates significant training and rigorous standards due to the technical expertise needed and the risk involved.
It is not easy to be an electrician because it not only has risks, but it also requires you to have a lot of information about electrical systems, and this is why you might wonder how much do electricians make in California, one of the biggest states in the country? Or which is the highest paying city in California?
According to ZipRecruiter, San Jose pays 34.6% more salary to electricians than their national average followed by Oakland and San Francisco Bay Area.
Moving on we will see the salary details, education requirements, and more about this profession. So keep reading!
Summary
| Guide | How Much Do Electricians Make In California? |
|---|---|
| Average Income | $65,000 per year |
| Highest Income | $115,000-$120,000 per year |
| Qualification | Not needed |
| Training | Needed |
Who Are Electricians?
Any trained tradesperson who designs, installs, maintains, and also repairs electrical systems and products in residential houses, companies, and factories are known as an electrician.
Electricians guarantee that lighting, industrial equipment, and also appliances operate safely and reliably within and outside of buildings.
Residential electricians install wiring and fix electrical problems in houses.
In contrast, interior electricians maintain and repair control systems, motors, and electrical equipment in companies and factories, to name a few specialties.
So as an electrician, you’re in charge of transporting electricity from its source to areas where individuals and businesses might use it.
Depending on the specialty area, the particular tasks connected with this profession may vary.
How Much Do Electricians Make In California?
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wages for a variety of skilled electricians who work in California.
Also, those with the most education and experience often earn at the top of the pay scale.
However, the national average wage for electricians in California is roughly $65,000 per year for any type of electrician.
Six-figure earnings aren’t far away. For the ten years ending in 2022, California’s job growth rate for electricians will greatly outpace the national average, with the state’s Employment Development Department forecasting 10,800 new positions in the electrical profession.
1. How much do Electricians make in California per hour?
Electricians make a minimum of $12.53 per hour and a maximum of $38.54 per hour in California.
2. How much do Electricians make in California per month?
Electricians make a minimum of $2,172 per month and a maximum of $6,680 per month in California.
3. How much do Electricians make in California per year?
Electricians make a minimum of $26,064 per year and a maximum of $80,158 per year in California.
Highest Salary Of Electricians In California In 2023
Being an electrician, you get your money according to your experience rather than your salary.
Contrary to most professions, there is no bachelor’s you could get for this; it is all practical experience that combines into information you learn on the job.
That is why the highest salaries generally go to the most experienced electricians.
The highest salary in California is around $115,000-$120,000 annually for the top %20 electricians.
They earn six figures thanks to their experience and being in the top %20.
Is Being An Electrician Good Or Bad?
Being an electrician is a controversial topic in most of the society because it does not require any degree and that the potential earn more with a salary is not that much as other professions, but that is wrong as you might earn six figures if you are good at what you are doing.
Being an electrician is good only if you like fixing things, using electricity daily, and can accept the risks that the job brings.
If you do not like these, then being an electrician is bad for you.
Pros and Cons of Being An Electrician
Pros
- Requires no degree
- Varied work
- Good pay
- Self-emplyoment oppurtunities
Cons
- Apprenticeship takes years to complete
- Dangerous work
Things to Know Before Becoming an Electrician
How To Become An Electrician In California?
Here’s how you can become an Electrician in California:
- You need a high school education or something similar to a GED to be able to have a career as any type of electrician.
- The next step is to enroll in an electrical program at an approved school. You will need to complete 150 hours of trade school, and then you will need to complete 720 hours of instruction from an apprenticeship training or from California’s licensed trade school.
- Now you will need to register with your state to work as an ET or electrical trainee.
- You will have to renew your ET card each year until you appear for State Electrician Certification Examinations.
- The next step is to apply for certification once you finish 2,000-8,000 on-the-job hours. Or you can also do an apprenticeship for 4 to 5 years under a single electrician.
- Post this; you will be able to become an independent electrician in California.
How Many Hours Does an Electrician Work?
Just like most other jobs, Electricians work for 40 hours a week or 8 hours a day.
However, not all days are the same, and they might end up working less or more depending on a lot of factors such as their location, employer, etc.
What is the Starting Pay of Electricians?
Most entry-level positions in California pay $12.53 per hour or $26,064 per year. However, with more experience in the field, electricians can make $38.54 per hour or $80,158 a year.
Electrician Training Programs In California
There is no official training program for electricians. However, the apprenticeship you will get will create the foundation for your electrical expertise and your training.
There are both classroom and on-the-job education that includes mentorship and supervision from a master electrician who has a lot of experience in the area.
To take the tests, most states, including California, demand that you do at least four years of apprenticeship.
Depending on the region, there are different certification requirements, so you must know what California needs specifically.
If California requires a license, you may also need to pass an electrical test.
You will test your knowledge of The National Electric Code, safety measures, electrical principles, and construction codes on this exam.
You’ll also need to show documentation that you finished your apprenticeship.
Conclusion
To conclude, being an electrician is not easy; you must know a lot of stuff and be interested in learning more while getting your experience working as there are no training programs for it.
However, you earn higher than the national average as an electrician in California, with a median of $65,000 annually that could stretch up to $120,000 annually if you are good at what you are doing.
FAQ
How much do electricians make in California if they just started working?
They start to form the lowest bracket. This means that they get the lowest wage most of the time.
How much do electricians make in California if they decide to do it as freelancing?
This solely depends on you, your rates, and how many clients you have continuously.
It could be lower than the state average, but it could also be higher than the top %20’s average in the state.
How much do electricians make in California if they have no prior education?
Without education, it is tough to find a job. Still, if you end up finding one, you will start from the lowest possible, just like if you started without any experience, but it will take a bit longer for you to go up the ladders as you will be learning everything as you are working.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
ARTICLE SOURCES
The US Workforce has a policy of producing high-quality content that follows industry standards by using primary sources, such as white papers and government data, alongside original reporting from reputable publishers. We also follow an editorial style where appropriate information about the topic can be found with due credit given when applicable.
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/career/Electrician/What-Is-How-to-Become[↩]
- https://intercoast.edu/blog/sitting-on-the-electric-fence-the-risks-and-rewards-of-being-an-electrician/[↩]
- https://summitcollege.edu/how-to-get-an-electricians-license-in-california/#:~:text=You%20will%20need%20to%20complete,be%20part%20of%20an%20apprenticeship).[↩]