How to Become an Electrician in Arizona
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a high demand for electricians in Arizona, with 35% job growth expected between 2023 and 2033, a significant increase compared to other careers. This makes electrician work a strong choice for those who enjoy hands-on jobs, seek job security, and want a steady income. Becoming an electrician requires trade school training and apprenticeship experience under a master electrician to gain licensing and certification. This page provides details on electrician schools, apprenticeship programs, and job opportunities in Arizona. [En Español]
Requirements for Becoming an Electrician in Arizona
Each state has its own training and licensing requirements for electricians. In Arizona, the Arizona Registrar of Contractors regulates the industry and determines who can become an electrician. The state does not have a statewide journeyman program and only licenses electrical contractors for residential, commercial, or both. Some municipalities or counties may offer a journeyman license, but at the state level, an electrician in training or one with experience but no contractor license may still be called a journeyman.
To qualify for electrician licensing in Arizona, you must complete several years of education and training. You can start by attending an electrician school at a technical or vocational college or go directly into an apprenticeship program. Many Arizona schools offer training programs that provide a strong educational foundation and help with entry-level job placement for hands-on experience. Training covers electrical theory, algebra, electrical calculations, safety codes, blueprint reading, soldering, welding, and other essential skills.
After completing an apprenticeship, you must gain work experience before applying for a contractor license. To qualify, you need at least four years of experience beyond apprenticeship or training, a unique company name, and passing scores on two exams—one covering the trade and the other on business management. The license must be renewed every two years.
Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Arizona
If you choose an apprenticeship program instead of a certificate or degree, you have two options: union or non-union apprenticeship. Union apprenticeships in Arizona are available in Tucson and Phoenix through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Alliance (NECA), Arizona chapter. These programs are managed by Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATC), including Globe-Miami Electrical JATC (no website), Phoenix Electrical JATC, and Tucson Electrical JATC.
To qualify, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, basic math and algebra skills, and reliable transportation. The programs last five years, requiring 900 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of hands-on training.
Non-union apprenticeships in Arizona are available through the Arizona Builders Alliance and the Independent Electrical Contractors of Arizona. Both programs take four years to complete and include eight semesters of coursework along with 8,000 hours of hands-on training and work experience. All apprenticeship programs place students with a contractor to gain practical job experience.
Arizona Schools for Electricians
There are many community colleges, vocational, career, and trade schools in Arizona that offer programs for students interested in an electrician career path. These are typically certificate or associate degree programs that prepare students for a hands-on apprenticeship. For more information on the cost of electrician schools and training, see this page.
- Gateway Community College, Phoenix. This school has several campuses in the Phoenix area and offers both certificate and degree programs for future electricians. The cost for the certificate is $5,310 and for the degree is $7,626. Students may or may not already have an apprenticeship.
- Pima Community College, Tucson. Students in the Tucson area can earn an electrician certificate from the electrician school at Pima. It includes 57 credits of coursework including electrical courses as well as computer, math and communications classes. Students may get placement as an apprentice after completing the program or go on to earn an associate degree at Pima in building and construction.
- Mesa Community College, Mesa. In Mesa students can choose from several programs, including an associate degree in electronics technology or a certificate in electronics technology or the Salt River project relay apprenticeship. These electrician courses include basic math and algebra, and prepare students to work in entry-level electrical technician jobs or to be placed in an electrician apprenticeship.
To find affordable electrical schools and electrical training, including community college electrician programs near you, use the search box at the top of this page, or click here.
Outlook and Salary Expectations
Growth in careers for electricians in Arizona is strong. In 2023, according to the BLS, there were 14,560 electricians working in the state. By 2033 there are expected to be just more than 2,200 new jobs added to that number, so career opportunities will continue to be numerous in the coming years for those electricians with training and licensing.
The salary expectations are great for this career, too, because of the extensive training required. In 2023 the annual average salary for a licensed electrician was $60,440. There is room for electricians to earn more as the owners of businesses and with years of experience. The top 10 percent of earners in the state made an average salary of $78,210 in 2023.
Salaries in Arizona 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 | 14,560 | $29.06 | $60,440 | $$39,050 | $47,640 | $67,210 | $78,210 |
| Helpers--Electricians | 1,080 | $20.00 | $41,600 | $32,610 | $38,750 | $42,010 | $49,950 |
| Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | 180 | $36.21 | $$75,310 | $63,740 | $75,310 | $78,660 | $95,350 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | 890 | $34.35 | $71,440 | $49,170 | $61,670 | $81,850 | $97,120 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | 560 | $53.79 | $111,890 | $63,550 | $74,870 | $113,710 | $116,410 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 1,270 | $38.50 | $85,150 | $47,410 | $47,050 | $114,370 | $122,780 |
Electrician Salaries in Arizona 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 210 | $27.60 | $57,410 | $18.79 | $22.71 | $30.47 | $37.60 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | 100 | $24.24 | $50,410 | $17.47 | $20.32 | $29.22 | $30.82 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 11,130 | $29.17/b> | $60,670 | $18.85 | $22.96 | $32.24 | $37.01 |
| Prescott, AZ | 250 | $29.52 | $61,410 | $18.02 | $23.06 | $36.87 | $38.04 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | 120 | $23.58 | $49,040 | $17.53 | $22.15 | $29.30 | $35.08 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,180 | $27.61 | $57,440 | $17.84 | $21.49 | $31.02 | $38.80 |
| Yuma, AZ | 240 | $28.60 | $59,490 | $17.68 | $22.18 | $35.00 | $35.06 |
Working as an Electrician in Arizona
Electrician careers in Arizona are expected to grow, creating more job opportunities. Licensed electrician contractors can work as freelancers, business owners, or for other contractors. Depending on their license type, they may work on residential, commercial, or both types of buildings. A smaller percentage find jobs with government agencies.
A career as an electrician offers job security and a steady income. In Arizona, training takes several years, but apprentices earn wages while gaining experience. The training period helps develop skilled workers in a field with high demand for electricians.
Electrician Organizations in Arizona You Should Know
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors, Licensing, Contractor Search
- National Electrical Contractors Alliance, Arizona chapter
- Arizona Builders Alliance
- IEC of Arizona (Independent Electrical Contractors Association)
- IBEW Local 640, Phoenix
- IBEW Local 387, Phoenix
- IBEW Local 570, Tucson
- IBEW Local 769, Gilbert
College Programs
14 Arizona colleges report an electrician or electrical technology program to the National Center for Education Statistics (College Navigator export, July 2026). They are listed alphabetically by city. Tuition figures are the school’s own IPEDS filing for the program named, not a quote; confirm current costs with the school.
8470 N Overfield Rd, Coolidge, Arizona 85128-9030
(520) 494-5444
Commercial Electrician Installer – Certificate Program
Central Arizona College is a public 2-year institution in Coolidge, AZ, with 5,131 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $2,250 in-state and $4,500 out-of-state.
2251 E. Navajo Blvd., Holbrook, Arizona 86025-0610
(800) 266-7845
Electrical and Instrumentation – Associate Program, Industrial Plant Operations – Certificate Program
Northland Pioneer College is a public 4-year institution in Holbrook, AZ, with 2,825 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $2,664 in-state and $10,320 out-of-state.
1971 Jagerson Ave, Kingman, Arizona 86409-1238
(928) 757-4331
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program, Electrician – Associate Program
Mohave Community College is a public 2-year institution in Kingman, AZ, with 3,693 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $2,208 in-state and $7,968 out-of-state.
1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, Arizona 85202
(480) 461-7000
Electrical – Certificate Program
Mesa Community College is a public 4-year institution in Mesa, AZ, with 16,624 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $2,358 in-state and $8,958 out-of-state.
1420 W. Southern Avenue, Suite D, Mesa, Arizona 85202
(408) 885-8901
Electrician – Certificate Program
UEI College-Mesa is a private for-profit under-2-year institution in Mesa, AZ, with 565 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. Its Electrician program runs 36 credit hours and is typically completed in 9 months, with tuition and fees of $21,500.
2149 W Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85051-4063
(602) 393-5900
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program
Carrington College-Phoenix North is a private for-profit 2-year institution in Phoenix, AZ, with 1,088 students (all undergraduate). Reported tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $16,187 for the school’s largest program.
108 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034
(602) 392-5000
Electrical Technology – Associate Program, Electrical Technology – Commercial Wiring – Certificate Program
GateWay Community College is a public 4-year institution in Phoenix, AZ, with 5,123 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $2,358 in-state and $8,958 out-of-state.
1245 E Buckeye, Phoenix, Arizona 85034-4101
(602) 238-4300
Electrical, Commercial and Residential – Certificate Program, Electrician – Certificate Program
GateWay Community College-Central City is a public under-2-year institution in Phoenix, AZ, with 477 students (all undergraduate). Reported tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $4,715 for the school’s largest program.
4210 E Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034-1816
(602) 275-7133
Electrical Applications – Certificate Program
Refrigeration School Inc is a private for-profit 2-year institution in Phoenix, AZ, with 1,296 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Its Electrical Applications program runs 28 credit hours and is typically completed in 7 months, with tuition and fees of $20,025 and books and supplies of $3,500.
7050 S 24th St, Phoenix, Arizona 85042
(602) 243-8135
Electrical – Certificate Program
South Mountain Community College is a public 4-year institution in Phoenix, AZ, with 4,157 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $2,358 in-state and $8,958 out-of-state.
9215 N. Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, Arizona 85021-2718
(623) 888-5261
Electrician Technician – Certificate Program
UEI College-Phoenix is a private for-profit under-2-year institution in Phoenix, AZ, with 1,148 students (all undergraduate). Its Electrician Technician program runs 36 credit hours and is typically completed in 9 months, with tuition and fees of $21,500.
1100 E Sheldon St, Prescott, Arizona 86301
(928) 445-7300
Electrician – Certificate Program
Yavapai College is a public 4-year institution in Prescott, AZ, with 7,200 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $2,948 in-state and $9,486 out-of-state.
2323 W 14th St, Tempe, Arizona 85281
(480) 517-8000
Applied Electrical Technologies – Associate Program, Electrician – Certificate Program
Rio Salado College is a public 4-year institution in Tempe, AZ, with 18,631 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $2,358 in-state and $8,958 out-of-state.
4905C East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85709-1275
(520) 206-4500
Electrician – Certificate Program, Electrician – Certificate Program
Pima Community College is a public 2-year institution in Tucson, AZ, with 15,819 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $2,442 in-state and $7,758 out-of-state.
Registered electrical apprenticeship sponsors in Arizona
Apprenticeship is how most Arizona electricians train, and the programs below are registered with the US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (partner sponsor file dated 2026-09-09). Only training providers are listed: employer sponsors that register their own apprentices are not, and the file names sponsors without listing their occupations, so a sponsor whose name does not say electrical is not caught.
| Sponsor | City | Type | Registered since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Electrical JATC | Phoenix | IBEW/NECA JATC | 1943 |
| Tucson Electrical JATC | Tucson | IBEW/NECA JATC | 1945 |
| Globe-Miami Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Program | Globe | IBEW/NECA JATC | 1962 |
| Independent Electrical Contractors Association | Tempe | IEC chapter | 1976 |
| IEC of Southern Arizona | Tucson | IEC chapter | 1999 |
How to apply to each Arizona program
Read from each program’s own site or the state apprenticeship registry on 2026-09-16. Application windows, fees and wage rates change every year, so confirm them with the program before you rely on them; a posted wage is the sponsor’s figure on that date, not a promise of what you will earn.
Phoenix Electrical JATC. Inside Wireman apprenticeship. Length: four years, 8,000 hours on the job. How to apply: online through a TradeSchool account; $40 non-refundable fee; the deadline for the January 2027 (spring) start is September 15, 2026. Requirements: 18 or older, state photo ID, high school diploma or GED, two semesters of Algebra 1 and 2 with a C or better or one semester of college algebra (or a tech-math course); applicants with more than 2,000 documented hours of electrical construction work, or three years of honourable active-duty service, are exempt from the school and math requirements. Cost: no tuition; a $185 monthly subscription, $8,880 over the four years (2025 schedule). Pay: 2025 schedule: 55% of journeyman, $20.94 an hour, at the start; $22.84 after 1,000 hours; $24.75 after 2,000; $26.65 after 3,500; $30.46 after 5,000; $34.26 after 6,500; journeyman $38.07 at 8,000 hours, plus health and retirement contributions. 1520 E Indianola Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85014 (Central campus) and 4016 N Black Canyon Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85017 (West campus).
Tucson Electrical JATC. Inside electrical apprenticeship. Length: four years: 720 classroom hours (two nights a week, three hours a night) and 8,000 hours on the job. How to apply: online through the JATC's TradeSchool portal; $20 non-refundable fee; the deadline for the September 2027 class is March 1, 2027. Requirements: 18 or older, high school diploma or GED with a sealed official transcript, one full year of high school algebra with a C or better (or a post-secondary algebra course), reliable transportation, drug test, a score of 4 or better on the Electrical Industry Aptitude Test, DD-214 for veterans. Cost: no tuition; books about $950 a year, paid by the apprentice. Pay: starts at 55% of the journeyman wireman rate and rises with school and on-the-job milestones under the collective bargaining agreement. 4650 N Highway Drive, Tucson, AZ 85705.
Globe-Miami Electrical JATC. Electrician apprenticeship (SOC 47-2111). Cost: books estimated at $512. PO Box 108, Globe, AZ 85502; training at the IBEW Local 518 hall, (928) 200-5482.
IEC of Arizona. Arizona Electrician Apprenticeship (non-union; apprentices work for an IEC member contractor). Length: four years: 576 classroom hours and 8,000 hours on the job. How to apply: in person only: applications and information packets are handed out Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 to 11:30 am and 1:00 to 3:00 pm, and the office does not take applications online or answer application questions by phone. 4625 S Ash Avenue, Suite J17, Tempe, AZ 85282, (480) 456-4444.
IEC of Southern Arizona. Electrician apprenticeship (SOC 47-2111; non-union, with IEC member contractors). Cost: registry figures: $739 for Arizona residents ($224 tuition, $315 books, $200 registration) and $877 from out of state. 660 S Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, (520) 795-9473.
College details are from the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator (nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator), as exported in July 2026; apprenticeship sponsors are from apprenticeship.gov as of 2026-09-09. Program links were checked on 2026-09-16. Check all details directly with the school or sponsor before applying.
Neighbor States
See also the neighbor states of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
FAQs
How much do electricians earn in the state of Arizona?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of Arizona made an average of $49,350 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $32,220 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $68,490.
