Journeyman electricians are tradespeople who have completed their 2 to 4 year apprenticeship and are able to work as fully qualified licensed electricians.
As experienced contractors they are able to charge full-price for their services and can make up to $30/hour depending on the position. Some of the tasks that a journeyman electrician needs to perform on a regular basis include installing lighting fixtures, running wires through walls, maintaining and repair their electrical equipment.
How to Become a Journeyman Electrician
The first step in becoming a journeyman electrician is to begin an apprenticeship program with a local electrician guild, union, or trade/technical school.
During a 2 to 4 year electrician training program trainee electricians will assist more experienced contractors at work sites and learn valuable skills and know how. They will learn how to properly install things like circuit breakers and lighting fixtures as well as learning how to run wire through walls and how to work safely and effectively at a construction site.
Trainees will also be instructed on electrical theory and practices in a classroom setting. Being an electrician sometimes requires a lot of precise calculations so it’s important to have a strong grasp of math and algebra if you want to become a journeyman.
Journeyman Electrician Exam
After successfully completing an electrician apprenticeship program you’ll be able to take an electricians license exam which will qualify you to become a licensed journeyman electrician. The Journeyman exam is designed to test an applicants’ ability to perform tasks that would be required of them as a fully licensed electrician.
The exam also tests the applicants’ knowledge of relevant laws and regulations pertaining to electrical work including codes important to their jurisdiction. Each state differs in the exact content of their exam so it’s a good idea to talk to your master electrician about what will be expected of you. You can also find out a great deal by visiting your state’s government website.
Once a trainee has passed the license exam, and pay the fees, they will be a recognized journeyman electrician able to apply for positions that require a qualified electrician. It’s important to know that even once someone has become a journeyman electrician the compliance doesn’t end there. You must continue training and educating yourself about building codes and regulations.
This continuing education is mandatory is most US states. Rules for electricians, the changing regulations, and practices are continually evolving so it’s a good idea to stay on top of it and attend courses as well as seminars after you’ve become fully licensed.
After Becoming a Journeyman Electrician
The next step on the electrician career ladder, once you’ve become a journeyman, is to become a master electrician. To take the master exam you will typically need to have either 7 years of electrician experience or have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering which can take 4 years. These requirements differ in each states.
Alternatively, you could specialize in one of the many niche areas of electrical work including auto, mechanical, marine, etc.
Find out how much Journeymen electricians earn in salary on average.