How to Become an Electrician in Arizona
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a high demand for electricians in Arizona, with 26% job growth expected between 2024 and 2034, 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. The annual average salary for an electrician in the state is $64,220 (BLS May 2025 OEWS data). There is room for electricians to earn more as the owners of businesses and with years of experience. The top 10 percent earn $89,600 or more.
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 Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Electrician programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Carrington College-Phoenix NorthPhoenix, AZ(602) 393-59002149 W Dunlap Avenue1,088 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools | Private for-profit | priced per program | not published |
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Central Arizona CollegeCoolidge, AZ(520) 494-54448470 N Overfield Rd5,131 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,2502024-25 | $2,321 to $7,223by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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GateWay Community CollegePhoenix, AZ(602) 392-5000108 N. 40th Street5,123 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,3582024-25 | $12,010 to $18,316by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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GateWay Community College-Central CityPhoenix, AZ(602) 238-43001245 E Buckeye477 undergraduates, fall 2023 | Public | priced per program | $3,448 to $6,018by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Mesa Community CollegeMesa, AZ(480) 461-70001833 W Southern Ave16,624 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,3582024-25 | $12,407 to $18,916by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Mohave Community CollegeKingman, AZ(928) 757-43311971 Jagerson Ave3,693 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,2082024-25 | $5,638 to $9,922by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Northland Pioneer CollegeHolbrook, AZ(800) 266-78452251 E. Navajo Blvd.2,825 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,6642024-25 | $8,000 to $12,301by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Pima Community CollegeTucson, AZ(520) 206-45004905C East Broadway Blvd.15,819 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,4422024-25 | $2,256 to $8,872by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Refrigeration School IncPhoenix, AZ(602) 275-71334210 E Washington Street1,296 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges | Private for-profit | priced per program | $24,398 to $30,625by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Rio Salado CollegeTempe, AZ(480) 517-80002323 W 14th St18,631 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,3582024-25 | $7,976 to $13,740by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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South Mountain Community CollegePhoenix, AZ(602) 243-81357050 S 24th St4,157 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,3582024-25 | $11,383 to $16,572by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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UEI College-MesaMesa, AZ(408) 885-89011420 W. Southern Avenue, Suite D565 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training | Private for-profit | priced per program | $33,389 to $38,635by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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UEI College-PhoenixPhoenix, AZ(623) 888-52619215 N. Black Canyon Highway1,148 undergraduates, fall 2023 | Private for-profit | priced per program | $31,546 to $35,569by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Yavapai CollegePrescott, AZ(928) 445-73001100 E Sheldon St7,200 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Higher Learning Commission | Public | $2,9482024-25 | $5,501 to $8,969by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed. Programs shown without a link were added from federal completions data: the school awarded this program in 2022-23 or 2023-24. We have not yet recorded its own page for the program.
Neighbor States
See also the neighbor states of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
