How to Become an Electrician in Idaho
Job opportunities for qualified electricians in Idaho are expanding rapidly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the field is expected to grow by 32% between 2020 and 2030, a rate much faster than the national average. With high demand for electricians, this career offers job stability, a strong income, and hands-on work that evolves each year. If you’re looking for a skilled trade with long-term opportunities, consider training to become an electrician in Idaho. [En Español]
Requirements for Becoming an Electrician in Idaho
In Idaho, electricians are licensed by the Idaho Division of Building Safety (DBS), which issues licenses for journeymen, master electricians, and independent contractors.
To qualify for a journeyman license, applicants must complete 6,000 hours of work experience as an apprentice. This requirement can be met by finishing an apprenticeship program or earning a certificate or degree from a technical college, followed by several years of supervised work with a licensed electrician.
The Idaho Division of Building Safety also manages contractor license renewals and provides a contractor license search for consumers.
Idaho offers journeyman specialty licenses in various fields, including sign installation, manufacturing, elevators, well drilling and pump installation, outside lineman work, solar installation, HVAC and refrigeration, and limited energy systems.
To qualify for a specialty license, applicants must complete 4,000 hours of work experience in their specific field. Additionally, all journeyman licenses require passing an exam with a minimum score of 70%.
After four years as a licensed journeyman, you can apply for a master electrician license in Idaho. This requires passing an exam with a minimum score of 75%.
To become a licensed independent electrical contractor, you must either be a master electrician or employ one. Additional requirements include passing an exam with a minimum score of 70% and providing proof of liability and worker’s compensation insurance.
Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Idaho
A common way to start a career as an electrician is by enrolling in an approved apprenticeship program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on work experience. Completing an apprenticeship fulfills all the requirements needed to take the journeyman exam. Additionally, apprentices earn an income while gaining practical training on the job.
Idaho’s union apprenticeship programs are offered through local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Union in partnership with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). There are Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATC) in Boise and Pocatello, and also in Spokane, which covers much of northern Idaho. Requirements for enrolling in an IBEW program include being 18 or older, being physically able to do the work, having reliable transportation, having a high school diploma or GED and passing an aptitude test.
- Southwestern Idaho Electrical JATC , Boise
- Eastern Idaho Electrical JATC, Pocatello
- Inland Empire Electrical Training Trust (IEETT JATC), Spokane
Non-union apprenticeship programs in Idaho are available through the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) of Idaho. These programs have the same requirements and outcomes as union apprenticeships. The IEC Idaho apprenticeship training program is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and State Apprenticeship Councils.
This nationally standardized program ensures high-quality training and has been evaluated by the American Council on Education, granting college credit equivalency. Over four years, apprentices complete at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 576 hours of technical instruction. Training is available both online and in the classroom.
Associated Builders and Contractors chapter in Spokane, WA, also offers a non-union apprenticeship. ABC Inland Pacific also caters to electricians in Idaho through the Inland Pacific ABC Apprenticeship & Training Trust.
North Idaho College (NIC) offers an electrical apprenticeship through the NIC Workforce Training Center in Coeur d’Alene. Apprentices who complete all four years of instruction may earn 56 credits toward an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree. Degree-seeking students must complete at least 15 additional credits in required subjects to obtain the A.A.S. degree.
Electrician Trade Schools in Idaho
Instead of completing an apprenticeship program, you can earn a certificate or degree in electrical technology or electrical engineering from a trade school or community college. This path provides the necessary knowledge but may not include apprenticeship placement. To meet the work experience requirements for a journeyman license, you must find a contractor or master electrician willing to take you on as an apprentice.
- College of Western Idaho, Boise. Here students can complete a four-year program very similar to the apprenticeships offered through the IBEW. Students take classes, either on campus, online or both, and participate in an apprenticeship to get all the required work experience hours. The apprenticeships include work in residential, commercial and industrial settings.
- Idaho State University, Pocatello. Idaho State offers an associate degree program in energy systems electrical engineering technology, which can be used to pursue any number of entry-level careers working with electrical systems or to secure an apprenticeship with an electrician.
- Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston. Students at Lewis-Clark can choose to complete an associate degree program in industrial electronics technology. It prepares graduates to work in entry-level positions and to begin an apprenticeship with an electrician to work toward becoming a journeyman.
Penn Foster College – Residential Electrician Career Diploma
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Outlook and Salary Expectations
There is currently a very positive outlook in Idaho for future electricians. Students who are training right now could be the qualified electricians who fill the nearly 750 new positions expected to become available between 2020 and 2030. According to the BLS there were 5,180 electricians employed in Idaho in 2020, and there are expected to be 6,810 by 2030.
Salaries are also great for electricians in the state because of the skills and training required to be licensed. The average annual income for electricians employed in Idaho was $49,310 in 2020, while the top earners in the field that year earned $77,800 and higher. These numbers compare well against the average annual salary in Idaho for all occupations of $44,890.
Salaries in Idaho 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 | 5,180 | $23.71 | $49,310 | $37,860 | $40,360 | $66,450 | $77,800 |
| Helpers--Electricians | 160 | $20.95 | $43,580 | $40,560 | $40,560 | $54,080 | $54,080 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | 470 | $29.71 | $61,790 | $42,820 | $56,290 | $69,850 | $80,210 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 910 | $50.54 | $105,130 | $45,890 | $80,000 | $119,750 | $124,530 |
Electrician Salaries in Idaho 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan, UT-ID | 210 | $26.82 | $55,780 | $17.46 | $21.80 | $33.30 | $36.42 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 240 | $37.30 | $77,570 | $21.28 | $26.56 | $44.27 | $69.63 |
| Boise City, ID | 2,420 | $23.69 | $49,280 | $18.57 | $19.73 | $30.63 | $37.17 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 320 | $22.90 | $47,630 | $18.16 | $19.37 | $30.29 | $37.04 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 530 | $26.05 | $54,170 | $18.06 | $19.65 | $34.59 | $43.73 |
| Pocatello, ID | 70 | $21.60 | $44,930 | $18.06 | $18.24 | $29.62 | $36.25 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 200 | $22.12 | $46,010 | $18.06 | $18.71 | $30.43 | $36.17 |
Working as an Electrician in Idaho
Job opportunities for licensed electricians in Idaho are expected to grow, ensuring strong job security and a steady income. Many electricians work for independent contractors, while others choose to become contractors themselves, starting their own electrical services business.
Electricians in Idaho can find employment with builders, developers, construction companies, and government agencies. By completing about four years of apprenticeship training, you can build a stable, long-term career with strong job security and competitive earnings as a licensed electrician.
Organizations You Should Know
- IBEW Local 291, Boise
- IBEW Local 73, Spokane, WA (covers northern Idaho)
- IBEW Local 449, Pocatello and Twin Falls
- IEC Idaho
- Idaho Building Contractors Association, Boise
College Programs
Lewiston, ID-WA Area
500 8th Ave, Lewiston, Idaho 83501-2698
(208) 792-5272
Industrial Electronics Technology – Associate Program
Lewis-Clark State College’s Associate-level Industrial Electronics Technology program is based at their campus in the city of Lewiston. The college has roughly 3,633 students in total, with most students on 4-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The cost of tuition for in-state students is usually around $6,334 and for out-of-state students in the order of $18,410 per year. Books and supplies can cost in the order of $1,650, although this will depend on the program.
Pocatello, ID Area
921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, Idaho 83209
(208) 282-2700
Energy Systems Electrical Engineering Technology – Associate Program, Energy Systems Technology Intermediate Technical – Bachelor Program
Idaho State University offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Bachelor program. All programs are imparted at their campus in the city of Pocatello, ID. Of the 13,078 students, about 14% are postgraduates. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly around $7,166 and for out-of-state students around $21,942 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,000, depending on the program chosen.
* 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
Residents of Idaho may also wish to review their options in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Montana.
FAQs
How much do electricians earn in the state of Idaho?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of Idaho made an average of $51,380 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $29,840 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $74,950.
