How to Become an Electrician in Arizona

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for qualified electricians in Arizona is high. The BLS expects that job opportunities for electricians in the state will grow by 18 percent between 2018 and 2028, a huge amount of growth compared to other careers. A career as an electrician is a great option if you like working with your hands, want job security and a good income, and are willing to go to trade school and continue training under a master electrician to become licensed and certified. This page will provide you with information on electrician schools, apprenticeship programs and job opportunities in Arizona. [En Español]

Requirements for Becoming an Electrician in Arizona

Every state has its own requirements for training and licensing electricians. In Arizona this is regulated through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, and it is the Registrar that will dictate who can become an electrician in the state. There is no statewide journeyman program, and the Registrar licenses only electrician contractors, either residential, commercial or both. Although there is no state journeyman license, some municipalities or counties may have a license for this level. In Arizona, an electrician in training or with experience but not yet licensed as a contractor may be referred to as a journeyman.

As in other states, to qualify for licensing you must complete several years of education and training. In Arizona you can start with an educational program at an electrician school, usually at a technical or vocational college (there are many such schools in Arizona), followed by apprenticeship training, or you can go directly into an apprenticeship program. Post-secondary programs will give you a good background education and can help you find placement in an entry-level job for ongoing training to prepare for licensing. Training programs will teach you about electrical theory, algebra and electrical calculations, safety code, how to read blueprints, soldering and welding and other aspects of the job.

Following an apprenticeship, you will need to get work experience before qualifying for contractor licensing. To apply for licensing you must be able to prove at least four years of experience after an apprenticeship or training, have a unique company name and pass two exams, one on 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 over a certificate or degree, you have two more choices: union or non-union apprenticeship. There are two union programs in Arizona, in Tucson and Phoenix, which are offered through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union and the National Electrical Contractors Alliance, Arizona chapter. These are organized through Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATC). In Arizona, these are Globe-Miami Electrical JATC (no website), Phoenix Electrical JATC, and the Tucson Electrical JATC. To be accepted you must have a high school diploma or GED, basic math and algebra skills, and transportation. The programs take five years to complete and include 900 hours of class instruction and 8,000 hours of hands-on training.

Non-union apprenticeships are offered 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 as well as 8,000 hours of work experience and hands-on training. With any apprenticeship program, students can expect to be placed with a contractor for the hands-on work.

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 2018, according to the BLS, there were 5,490 electricians working in the state. By 2028 there are expected to be almost 1,000 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 2019 the annual average salary for a licensed electrician was $48,300. 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 $68,490 in 2019.

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	13,810	$23.73	$49,350	$32,220	$38,520	$58,870	$68,490
Helpers--Electricians	1,770	$16.51	$34,330	$26,640	$29,060	$38,520	$43,230
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	120	$21.73	$45,200	$32,850	$36,550	$54,160	$60,720
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	740	$26.98	$56,110	$34,420	$41,780	$66,530	$77,930
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	260	$40.60	$84,440	$63,880	$76,200	$96,440	$101,710
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	890	$38.50	$80,080	$46,980	$63,040	$97,880	$104,450

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	$21.81	$45,360	$15.48	$17.30	$24.81	$30.04
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ	100	$21.71	$45,150	$16.70	$19.22	$24.01	$27.94
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	11,130	$23.59	$49,070	$15.40	$18.44	$28.10	$31.92
Prescott, AZ	250	$26.91	$55,960	$17.50	$22.10	$31.15	$36.16
Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ	120	$22.68	$47,170	$13.68	$16.87	$28.99	$34.34
Tucson, AZ	1,180	$22.76	$47,340	$16.60	$19.51	$26.67	$29.71
Yuma, AZ	240	$18.10	$37,650	$12.61	$14.76	$20.10	$24.39

Working as an Electrician in Arizona

Careers and job opportunities for electricians in Arizona are expected to grow. Trained and licensed electrician contractors in the state may work for themselves, as business owners or freelance contractors. They may also work for other contractors. Depending on licensing, an electrician in the state may work on residential buildings, commercial buildings or both. A small percentage may work for government agencies.

A career as an electrician is a smart choice for both job security and a good income. In Arizona it takes several years to learn and to train before becoming licensed, but even in an apprenticeship you can expect to be paid for your work. The years of training will help you become a skilled worker in a career that has a high demand for workers.

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

• North Arizona Nonmetropolitan Area
• Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ
• Prescott, AZ
• Southeast Arizona Nonmetropolitan Area
• Tucson, AZ
• Yuma, AZ
• Yuma, AZ

North Arizona Nonmetropolitan Area Area

2251 E. Navajo Blvd., Holbrook, Arizona 86025-0610
(800) 266-7845
Electronics Technology – Certificate Program

Northland Pioneer College offers various Certificate program options for future professionals. All programs are imparted at their campus in Holbrook in Navajo County, Arizona. The college has round 3,354 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is in the order of $1,808 and for students from outside the state around $8,360 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,400, depending on the program.

Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ Area

2626 E Pecos Rd, Chandler, Arizona 85225-2499
(480) 732-7000
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program

The Certificate program in Electrical Technology at Chandler-Gilbert Community College is offered at their campus in Chandler in Maricopa County. This public college has approximately 14,654 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition for in-state students is usually around $2,094 and for out-of-state students in the order of $7,878 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,390, depending on the program chosen.

108 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034
(602) 392-5000
Electronics Technician – Certificate Program, Electricity – Associate Program

GateWay Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Phoenix, AZ. The college has about 5,637 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Tuition fees for in-state students are around $2,094 and for out-of-state students approximately $7,878 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,390, although this will depend on the program.

4210 E Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034-1816
(602) 275-7133
Electrical Technologies – Certificate Program

The Electrical Technologies Certificate program in Electrical Technologies at Refrigeration School Inc is offered at their campus in the city of Phoenix, AZ. The majority of of the school’s 688 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Tuition fees for the Electrical Technologies program are in the order of $6,625 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost roughly $1,045. Program completion is usually 3 months.

Prescott, AZ Area

1100 E Sheldon St, Prescott, Arizona 86301
(928) 445-7300
Electric Utility Technology – Certificate Program, Electronic Technology – Associate Program

Yavapai College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Prescott, Arizona. The majority of of the school’s 7,385 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Fees for tuition for in-state students are about $2,280 and for students from other states likely to be about $8,976 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $1,600, although this will vary with the program.

Southeast Arizona Nonmetropolitan Area Area

4190 W Highway 80, Douglas, Arizona 85607-6190
(520) 515-0500
Electronics Technology – Certificate Program

The Electronics Technology Certificate program in Electronics Technology at Cochise County Community College District is offered at their campus in Douglas in Cochise County, Arizona. The majority of of the school’s 4,437 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Fees for tuition for in-state students are about $1,968 and for students from other states likely to be about $6,240 yearly. Books and supplies can cost about $1,800, although this will depend on the program.

Tucson, AZ Area

4905C East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85709-1275
(520) 206-4500
Electrician – Certificate Program, Electrician – Associate Program

Pima Community College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians, a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are imparted at their campus in the city of Tucson. The majority of of the school’s 26,880 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. Fees for tuition for in-state students are likely to be in the order of $2,118 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $7,434 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $1,920, although this will vary with the program.

Highway 86, Mile Post 125.5, Sells, Arizona 85634-3129
(520) 383-8401
Electrical – Certificate Program, Electrical – Associate Program

Tohono O’Odham Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are imparted at their campus in Sells in Pima County, Arizona. Most of the school’s 212 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition is likely to be in the order of $932 annually. Learning materials may cost around $1,000, although this will vary with the program.

Yuma, AZ Area

2020 S. Avenue 8E, Yuma, Arizona 85365-8834
(928) 317-6000
Basic Electrical – Certificate Program

Arizona Western College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. All programs are taught at their campus in the city of Yuma, AZ. This public college has about 7,514 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly in the order of $2,660 and for students from outside the state around $9,650 for each academic year, while books and supplies may cost roughly $2,000, although this varies from program to 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.

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.

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