How to Become an Electrician in Connecticut

If you want a hands-on, high-paying career, consider becoming an electrician in Connecticut. This field is growing nationwide, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting a 18% increase in electrician jobs in Connecticut by 2030. However, becoming an electrician takes time, requiring several years of apprenticeship before obtaining a license. [En Español]

Requirements for Becoming an Electrician in Connecticut

Each state has different licensing requirements for electricians. In Connecticut, the State Department of Consumer Protection issues electrical licenses for journeypersons and contractors. To qualify for the journeyperson exam, you must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (about four years) and take 144 hours of electrical training classes each year. This experience can be gained through technical or trade school programs while working or by enrolling in an apprenticeship program.

After completing education and work training, you can apply for the journeyperson license exam in Connecticut, known as the E-2 Unlimited Electrical Journeyperson license. This license allows you to perform electrical work under a licensed contractor. To qualify, you must submit a completion letter from your apprenticeship or a notarized letter proving 8,000 hours of work experience or a combination of work and education hours.

You must apply for the exam within 30 days of completing your apprenticeship. The exam consists of 80 questions, lasts three and a half hours, and allows reference to the 2011 or 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC). A score of 70% or higher is required to pass. The exam application fee is $90, and the license fee is $120. The E-2 journeyperson license must be renewed annually, with proof of continuing education required for renewal.

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

To qualify for an E-2 Journeyperson License in Connecticut, you must complete 8,000 hours of work experience and 144 classroom hours per year of training. You can meet these requirements by enrolling in a technical college and completing a certificate or associate degree program. Classroom instruction counts toward work experience hours, reducing the total on-the-job hours required.

The Connecticut Department of Labor recommends that electrician trainees 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

An apprenticeship program allows students to gain classroom instruction while earning paid work experience. In Connecticut, apprenticeships are available through local unions or non-union programs. Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees (JATC) offer union apprenticeships through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

To join a JATC, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a driver’s license, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, have reliable transportation, pass an aptitude test, complete high school algebra, and pass a drug test. The two main JATCs in Connecticut are Local Union 488 JATC in Monroe and Local Union 90 JATC in Wallingford.

If you choose a non-union apprenticeship, you must find a licensed non-union electrical contractor to work under. A good resource for finding opportunities is the Independent Electrical Contractors of New England.

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 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 7,950 electricians working in Connecticut in 2020. The number is expected to grow by 18% through 2030, adding over 1,000 new jobs and creating 1,130 annual job openings in the state.

In 2020, the average electrician salary in Connecticut was $30.38 per hour or $71,500 per year. Experienced and licensed electricians earned up to $94,500 annually. These wages compare favorably to the national average electrician salary of $61,590.

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	7,950	$34.38	$71,500	$40,520	$51,620	$77,790	$94,500
Helpers--Electricians	230	$27.22	$56,620	$36,220	$50,250	$60,060	$74,160
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	350	$32.26	$67,100	$43,940	$44,980	$87,700	$98,620
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	200	$48.72	$101,340	$55,060	$75,810	$105,370	$109,930
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	790	$54.71	$113,790	$40,570	$58,290	$121,000	$122,730

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	$37.84	$99,100	$22.01	$28.54	$47.64	$52.32
Worcester, MA-CT	1,490	$37.78	$83,660	$21.76	$26.06	$40.22	$49.40
Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI	960	$30.54	$74,020	$21.54	$21.54	$35.59	$39.20
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT	1,770	$35.30	$78,770	$21.29	$27.86	$37.87	$45.96
Danbury, CT	650	$33.00	$75,090	$20.20	$23.53	$36.10	$43.43
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	2,500	$34.07	$77,190	$18.52	$28.01	$37.11	$44.54
New Haven, CT	840	$34.89	$83,790	$19.01	$28.41	$40.28	$53.76
Waterbury, CT	560	$35.70	$87,410	$21.88	$29.00	$42.02	$46.90

Working as an Electrician in Connecticut

Connecticut offers many job opportunities for electricians. Whether you choose an apprenticeship program or technical school training, getting started is straightforward. Earning a license takes time, but you will receive training and paid work experience along the way. After becoming a licensed journeyperson, you can stay at that level or gain the experience needed for an electrical contractor’s license. As an independent contractor, you also have the option to start your own business.

Licensed electricians in Connecticut work in residential, industrial, commercial, and government buildings. The Hartford area, including West and East Hartford, employs over 2,000 electricians, making it the highest-employed region in the state. The highest-paid electricians are in Bridgeport, Stamford, and Norwalk, where some earn an average of $62,720 per year.

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.