How to Become an Electrician in Alaska

Alaska has about 2,000 electricians, but the career offers strong opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2023 that Alaska was one of the highest-paying states for electricians. The state’s tourism industry and growing infrastructure create steady demand for skilled workers.[En Español]

To become an electrician in Alaska, you must first complete an apprenticeship under a licensed electrician. After meeting the required work hours, you can apply for a journeyman or residential electrician license. To work independently, you need a contractor license. Training takes time, but the job pays well and offers steady career growth.

Requirements for Becoming an Electrician in Alaska

Before becoming a licensed electrician in Alaska, you must complete an apprenticeship and meet classroom hour requirements. The first license options are a residential certificate or a journeyman license. A residential certificate requires fewer work hours but limits you to residential projects. A journeyman license allows work on both residential and commercial buildings. The Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development manages licensing in Alaska.

Residential Electrician Certification

To get certified as a residential electrician, you need 4,000 work hours. Classroom hours are not required, but up to 500 hours can count toward the total. Once you meet the requirement, you can apply for the exam. Residential certificates must be renewed every two years, but continuing education is not required for renewal.

Journeyman Electrician License

To become a journeyman electrician, you need 8,000 apprenticeship hours. These must include:

• Up to 2,000 hours in residential work
• At least 6,000 hours in commercial or industrial settings

If you enroll in a technical program, up to 1,000 classroom hours can count toward the total. After completing the required hours, you can apply for the journeyman exam. Journeyman licenses require renewal every two years, and you must complete 24 hours of continuing education during that period.

Electrical Contractor Requirements

To run an independent electrical business, you must hire an electrical administrator or become one. Becoming an electrical administrator requires:

• Applying through the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
• Providing proof of education and work experience
• Passing the required exam

Licenses must be renewed every two years, with proof of continuing education. The final step is registering as a business in Alaska and obtaining a business license to operate as an independent electrical contractor.

Apprenticeship Programs in Alaska

Before becoming a licensed electrician in Alaska, you must complete an apprenticeship. Enrolling in a union apprenticeship program can help you gain both classroom instruction and work experience. If a Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (JATC) is available in your area, they provide structured training.

In Alaska, the Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship & Training Trust (AJEATT) is the primary JATC. It is a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1547 and the Alaska chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). AJEATT operates four locations in Alaska.

• The Tom Cashen Training Center in Anchorage
• The Kornfeind Training Center in Fairbanks
• The IBEW Local 1547 location in Juneau
• The IBEW Local 1547 location in Ketchikan

To apprentice through AJEATT Alaska, you must meet these requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have an Alaska driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
• Pass Algebra 1 or a placement test

As an apprentice, you will work full-time under an electrical contractor and complete required classroom hours in electrical science and theory. You must also register as an apprentice and renew your registration annually.

There are over 300 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATC) across the U.S. The Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Training Trust (AJEATT) provides training in several electrical classifications, including:

• Telecommunications worker (telephone/data)
• Inside wireman
• Residential wireman
• Outside power lineman

An alternative to the union electrical apprenticeship in Alaska is the program offered by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). ABC of Alaska provides apprenticeships where you can:

• Train under a master electrician while working and earning income
• Qualify for higher pay levels
• Learn the latest technologies and building codes
• Gain job mobility through a nationally recognized certification

The program is registered with the State of Alaska and accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

To apply you’ll need:

• Valid Driver’s License, and an official driving record from the state that issued that license
• Social Security Card or a valid eligibility document from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Proof of High School Graduation and high school transcripts, or GED transcripts
• Algebra 1 an entire year with a grade “C” or higher (There are alterate methods to meet the maths requirement.)
• Resume
• Veterans should include a copy of their DD214
• An application processing fee of $50.00

Electrician Programs in Alaska

If you are looking for technical schools in Alaska to complete the education hours you need to become licensed, there are a few options.

• The Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in Seward, Alaska, offers an Industrial Electricity program that takes about one year to complete. To enroll, students must have qualifying TABE test scores in reading and math, be able to lift and carry at least 50 pounds, and perform physical tasks such as climbing, kneeling, crawling, walking, and standing for long periods. Color differentiation is also required for this career field. Graduates of the program can find entry-level jobs as industrial controls technicians, industrial electrical technicians, or electrical apprentices.
• Iḷisaġvik College in Barrow, Alaska, offers an Associated Construction Trades (ACT) program where students can train in their chosen field. The program provides hands-on instruction in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, scaffolding, insulation, pipefitting, or welding.

All Associated Construction Trades (ACT) programs at Iḷisaġvik College are approved by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). To enroll, students must pass a drug test and a math placement test. They must also be able to read and understand safety manuals and warning signs and work in confined spaces and at heights. Space in these programs is limited, so early enrollment is recommended. The ACT programs are fast-track training courses that can be completed in three to six weeks.

Job Outlook and Salary Expectations

Because Alaska is one of the least populated states, the number of electricians employed there is not as high as in other states. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) information in 2020, there were 1,690 electricians working in the state and 170 electrician helpers. However, the number of electricians working in Alaska is predicted to increase by a healthy 11 percent by the year 2030, or approximately 200 more electrician jobs. As the construction workforce booms in Alaska, so will the need for electricians.

So, how much to electricians make in Alaska? The BLS data also states that electricians in the state made an average of $39.50 hourly and $82,160 yearly in 2023. The top earners reported an average income as high as $117,640. Electrician apprentices make much less than licensed electricians, but they still had a reported average annual income of $48,770 in Alaska in 2023.

Salaries in Alaska by Occupation

Occupation	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Wage	Annual Salary 10th Percentile	Annual Salary 25th Percentile	Annual Salary 75th Percentile	Annual Salary 90th Percentile
Electricians	1,690	$39,50	$82,160	$48,770	$60,930	$96,120	$117,640
Helpers--Electricians	180	$18,43	$38,340	$29,970	$35,040	$46,470	$55,900
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	300	$42.69	$88,800	$57,650	$75,560	$97,120	$103,460
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	130	$54.84	$114,060	$50,090	$70,100	$114,060	$132,050
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	430	$48.73	$101,360	$73,950	$92,440	$126,830	$132,670

Electrician Salaries in Alaska by Region

Area	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Salary	Hourly Wage 10th Percentile	Hourly Wage 25th Percentile	Hourly Wage 75th Percentile	Hourly Wage 90th Percentile
Anchorage, AK	920	$39.40	$81,950	$22.92	$28.88	$46.00	$56.56
Fairbanks, AK	180	$41.60	$82,160	$24.39	$32.35	$45.45	$48.82

Working as an Electrician in Alaska

Electricians in Alaska can work as maintenance electricians, construction electricians, instrument technicians, electrical technicians, or electrical servicemen. Job opportunities are available in construction, utilities, mining, manufacturing, engineering, water treatment, and transportation. After completing an apprenticeship, electricians can become residential or journeyman electricians and may later qualify as independent contractors through additional training, work experience, and licensure.

Although the number of electricians and apprentices in Alaska is low, job growth is expected in the coming years. For those seeking a stable and well-paying career, becoming a licensed electrician in Alaska is a strong option.

Organizations You Should Know

• The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Alaska Chapter
• Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust (AJEATT)
• The Electrical Training Alliance
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1547 (IBEW Alaska)
• Alaska Apprenticeship Training Coordinators Association
• The Associated General Contractors of Alaska

College Programs

• North Slope Borough, AK

North Slope Borough, AK Area

Narl Facility, Barrow, Alaska 99723
(907) 852-3333
Electrical – Certificate Program

The Electrical Certificate program in Electrical at Ilisagvik College is taught at their campus in Barrow in North Slope County. The college has approximately 193 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Tuition fees are around $3,820 yearly. Books and supplies can cost about $800, although this will depend on the program.

* College accredition status and tuition fees and are, to our best knowledge, correct at the time of writing, and sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Check all details directly with college before applying.

FAQs

How much do electricians earn in the state of Alaska?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of Alaska made an average of $75,350 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $44,790 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $100,490.