How to Become an Electrician in Connecticut

If you are interested in a career that is hands-on and busy, but also well-paying, you might want to consider becoming an electrician in Connecticut. This is a field that is rapidly growing in all states. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has predicted a 12% increase in the number of electrician jobs in the state of Connecticut in the ten year period to 2028. However, becoming an electrician does take time. You will need to work for several years as an apprentice before you can become licensed. [En Español]

Requirements for Becoming an Electrician in Connecticut

Each state has different guidelines and departments or boards that handle licensing. In Connecticut, you can get an electrical license through the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection. You can become licensed as either an electrical journeyperson or electrical contractor. Before you can take the exam for a journeyperson license, you must have 8,000 hours of training while on the job, which is the equivalent of about four years. You will also need to take 144 hours of electrical training classes each year. You can get this experience by taking classes at a technical or electrician trade school while working, or you can join an apprenticeship program.

Once you have completed your education and work training, you can apply to take the journeyman license test. In Connecticut this is also known as an E-2 Unlimited Electrical Journeyperson license. Licensed as an E-2, you can do a variety of electrical work while employed under an electrical contractor. To become licensed, you must have a letter of completion of your apprenticeship or a notarized letter showing that you have worked 8,000 hours in the electrical field or did a combination of work and education hours. You must apply to take the exam no more than 30 days after you complete your apprenticeship. You are permitted three and a half hours to take the 80-question exam, and you can use the 2011 or 2014 edition of the National Electric Code for reference. You must earn a grade of 70 or higher to pass the exam. The application fee for the exam is $90.00, and the license fee is $120.00. Your journeyperson license needs to be renewed annually. In Connecticut, you are required to show proof of continuing education when renewing your journeyperson license.

After you work as a journeyperson, you can get a contractor’s license. In Connecticut, this is referred to as an E-1 Unlimited Electrical Contractor License. With this license you can do any kind of electrical work, as well as run a business. To apply to take the E-1 license exam, you must work as a journeyperson for two years or show proof of six years relevant experience. The exam fee is $150, and the license fee is $150 as well. To pass, you must make at least a 70 on the 100-question exam, which takes up to four hours to complete. You can use the 2011 or 2014 National Electric Code as reference for this exam as well. To get a contractor’s license, you must also pass the Business and Law exam. The Contractor’s Guide to Business, Land and Project Management is permissible to use as reference. This license must be renewed yearly, and continued education is required for renewal. Worker’s compensation insurance is also required to work as an electrical contractor in Connecticut.

Electrician Schools in Connecticut

Before you can get your E-2 license, you are required to have 8,000 hours of work experience and 144 classroom hours per each year you work. You can choose to enroll in a technical college and complete a certificate program or associate degree program to log these hours. Also, your instructional hours will count towards your work experience hours, meaning you won’t have to complete as many of those. The Connecticut Department of Labor suggests that students training to become electricians study:

• Orientation and Safety
• Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Low Voltage Wiring, Maintenance and Repair
• Tools, Equipment and Instruments
• Cable and Splicing Installation, Maintenance and Repair
• Basic Knowledge and Associated Trades

There are a few technical schools in Connecticut for you to choose from if you are considering going that route. A few of these schools are listed below.

• Eli Whitney Technical High School in Hamden prepares high school students who are interested in seeking a two- or four-year degree in the electrical field. They complete four years of a career technical education program, taking one three-credit course per year. In ninth grade they will complete the Exploratory and Introduction to Electrical course in which they will learn the basics of the electrical field, like safety and sanitation and basic residential wiring. The tenth-grade course is Residential Wiring. Students will learn this subject more in-depth and continue to learn and practice safety measures. In eleventh grade, students will take a Residential and Basic Commercial Wiring course. They will study the National Electrical Code and utilize it. They will also do some residential electrician training outside of the classroom. The final course is Residential, Commercial and Industrial Wiring. In this course the students will continue learning about residential wiring, with an introduction to commercial and industrial wiring as well.
• Porter and Chester Institute has campus locations in Branford, Enfield, Rocky Hill, Stratford and Waterbury, CT. Their program can be completed in a year and familiarizes students with the National Electrical Code as well as teaches them the basic electrical skills they need to know to work as an electrician in any setting.

Additionally, the Industrial Management and Training Institute in Waterbury has an online prep course for the journeyman electrical exam. This course has a read and review section and a test section. This course is designed to teach students the basic skills they will need to pass the journeyperson licensing exam.

Apprenticeship Options and Requirements

Through an apprenticeship program, students can learn through classroom instruction and work for pay at the same time. In Connecticut, you can take on an apprenticeship through either a local union or work as a non-union apprentice. Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees (JATC) are union organizations that offer apprenticeship programs provided by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). To join a JATC you must be at least 18, have a driver’s license, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have reliable transportation, pass an aptitude test, pass high school algebra and pass a drug test. There are two main JATCs in Connecticut: The Local Union 488 JATC in Monroe and the Local Union 90 JATC in Wallingford.

If you choose a non-union apprenticeship, you will need to find a non-union licensed electrical contractor to work under. The Independent Electrical Contractors of New England is a good place to start looking for one of those.

Also, to join an apprenticeship, you will need to register as an apprentice with the state of Connecticut.

The union-organized Electrical Training Alliance, the Independent Electrical Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors offer continuing education (CEU) for electricians in Connecticut.

Outlook and Salary Expectations

The BLS reports that there were 8,400 electricians working in Connecticut in 2018. That number is predicted to increase by 12 percent through 2028, adding at least 1,000 more electrician jobs – 1,130 annual job openings – in the state of Connecticut by that time.

The average hourly salary for an electrician in Connecticut was $29.43, or $61,220 per year in 2019. The top earners in this field, those with more work experience and who are licensed, can make as much as $96,580 annually. These numbers compare favorably with the average electrician salary nationally of $56,180 and the average annual salary in Connecticut for all occupations of $62,350.

Salaries in Connecticut 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	7,800	$30.56	$63,560	$35,780	$51,800	$78,270	$95,000
Helpers--Electricians	210	$22.67	$47,160	$24,940	$35,670	$59,070	$64,390
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	480	$28.60	$59,490	$32,150	$41,910	$72,870	$80,990
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	120	$43.02	$89,470	$68,520	$82,110	$100,430	$112,370
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	890	$41.69	$86,700	$53,520	$67,760	$107,060	$121,080

Electrician Salaries in Connecticut 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
Springfield, MA-CT	1,100	$30.42	$63,270	$17.61	$25.40	$36.62	$42.37
Worcester, MA-CT	1,490	$32.13	$66,830	$16.25	$21.58	$41.42	$49.95
Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI	960	$29.08	$60,490	$17.51	$22.86	$32.07	$43.22
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT	1,770	$35.86	$74,580	$25.28	$28.28	$44.39	$48.59
Danbury, CT	650	$29.80	$61,980	$17.46	$22.56	$36.65	$44.82
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	2,500	$28.06	$58,370	$16.19	$21.46	$33.29	$40.85
New Haven, CT	840	$30.62	$63,690	$17.44	$23.32	$37.86	$46.50
Waterbury, CT	560	$28.78	$59,850	$14.68	$24.56	$35.15	$40.17

Working as an Electrician in Connecticut

There are many opportunities to work as an electrician in the state. Whether you choose to do an apprenticeship program or get electrical training at a technical school, it is easy to get started. Working towards getting a license does take time. However, you will not only be trained in the meantime but paid as well. Once you are licensed as a journeyperson, you can remain at that level or work until you have enough experience to get your electrical contractor’s license. As an independent contractor, you may even choose to start your own business.

If you are a licensed electrician you can expect to work in residential, industrial, commercial and government buildings. The Hartford area, including both West and East Hartford, is the highest employed area in Connecticut, with over 2,000 electricians working in that area. The Bridgeport, Stamford and Norwalk areas have the highest paid electricians, with some averaging $62,720 yearly.

If a steady, well-paying career is of interest to you and you are willing to put in the time and effort to train and work, consider working towards becoming an electrician in Connecticut.

Organizations You Should Know

• IBEW Local 488, Monroe
• IBEW Local 90, New Haven
• Local 90 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC)
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) CT
• Independent Electrical Contractors of New England

College Programs

• Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
• Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT Area

233 Mill St, Waterbury, Connecticut 06706
(203) 753-7910
Electrical Apprenticeship Program

The apprenticeship program at Industrial Management Training Institute can be taken at their campus in Waterbury in New Haven County, Connecticut. This private, for-profit college has about 122 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Fees for tuition are about $20,135. Books and supplies can cost roughly $1,750, although this will depend on the program. Graduates have been hired by Ariel Electric, C & D Electrical, Calo Electrical Service, Camsan Electrical Contractors, Commet Communications, Delmar Electric, Electrical Contractors, Inc., HB Communications, Mars Electric, MJM Electric, Sarracco Mechanical, Sunlight Solar Energy, Traver, IDC, Tri City Electric, and VEECO Electric.

8 Progress Drive, Shelton, Connecticut 06484
(203) 929-0592 x45800
Electrician – Certificate Program

The Certificate program in Electrician at Lincoln Technical Institute can be taken at their Shelton campus in Shelton in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The college has in the region of 577 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Tuition fees for the Electrician program are in the order of $23,467 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost roughly $877. Program completion is usually 18 months.

221 W Main St, Branford, Connecticut 06405
(203) 315-1060
Electrician – Certificate Program

Porter and Chester Institute of Branford offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. All programs are offered at their campus in Branford in New Haven County. This private, for-profit college has approximately 256 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The cost of tuition is likely to be in the order of $17,220 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $1,600, although this will vary with the program.

670 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, Connecticut 06615-7158
(860) 529-2519
Electronic Systems Technician – Certificate Program

Porter and Chester Institute of Stratford offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. All programs are offered at their campus in the city of Stratford, Connecticut. The college has in the region of 1,961 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Tuition fees are around $17,220 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,600, depending on the program chosen.

Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT Area

97 Newberry Road, East Windsor, Connecticut 06088
(860) 627-4300 x46600
Electrical & Renewable Energy Technology – Certificate Program

The Certificate program in Electrical & Renewable Energy Technology at Lincoln Technical Institute can be taken at their East Windsor campus in East Windsor in Hartford County, CT. Most of the school’s 875 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is over 80%. Tuition fees for the Electrical & Renewable Energy Technology program are broadly about $24,792 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $874. Usually, the program is completed in 12 months.

200 John Downey Dr, New Britain, Connecticut 06051
(860) 225-8641 x45700
Electrical & Renewable Energy Technology – Certificate Program

The Certificate program in Electrical & Renewable Energy Technology at Lincoln Technical Institute is taught at their New Britain campus in New Britain in Hartford County. The majority of of the school’s 454 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Tuition fees for the Electrical & Renewable Energy Technology program are likely to be in the order of $23,467 per year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $877. Program completion is usually 18 months.

* 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 New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island.

FAQs

How much do electricians earn in the state of Connecticut?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of Connecticut made an average of $63,560 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $35,780 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $95,000.

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