How to Become an Electrician in Kentucky

The market for qualified electricians in the state of Kentucky is strong and will continue to grow, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The market is growing by over 8 percent nationally and by around 2 percent in Kentucky, so if you are looking for an interesting career that will provide you with many opportunities, stability and a great income, consider going through the steps needed to become a licensed electrician in Kentucky. This may include attending one of Kentucky’s trade schools and getting yourself on an apprenticeship program. [En Español]

Requirements for a Kentucky Electrician License

Each state sets requirements for working as an electrician. In Kentucky there are three levels of licensing: electrician, master electrician and electrical contractor. Each stage requires an application and fee to the Electrical Division of the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, as well as a passing score on an appropriate licensing exam. Electrician licensing requires six years of training and work experience, while attaining a master electrician license requires eight years.

To start your training and to get licensed at the electrician level, you can choose one of three paths:

• Enroll in and complete a union or non-union electrical apprenticeship program.
• Complete a vocational or technical degree program at a community college or trade school that includes at least 576 classroom hours, and transition to an entry-level job for four years of work experience.
• Find an entry-level position as a technician, assistant or apprentice with an electrical contractor and get six years of experience on the job.

The licensing exam for a Kentucky electrician license is the Kentucky Standard Journeyman Electrician exam administered by Pearson VUE. The licensing exam for the Kentucky master electrician license is the Kentucky Standard Master Electrician exam with the same provider. Licensing renewals require proof of having completed continuing education (CEU) requirements.

Electricians and master electricians may choose to become licensed electrical contractors. As a contractor you can start a business and offer your services. To become a contractor you must either be a master electrician or hire one, and you must have liability insurance and workers’ compensation. You will need to pass the Kentucky Business and Law exam. The book used for the exam is Kentucky Contractors Business and Law, 5th edition.

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Kentucky

A sure way to meet all the requirements you need to become a licensed electrician in Kentucky is to complete an apprenticeship program. Kentucky has several union programs through local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (IBEW) in collaboration with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), which are called Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs), and non-union programs through the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

The requirements for enrolling in an apprenticeship program generally include being at least 18, having graduated from high school or holding a GED, being physically capable of doing electrical work, having good transportation and passing a general aptitude test. Examples of programs available in Kentucky are:

• Louisville Electrical JATC (Kentuckian Electrical Apprenticeship and Training)
• IBEW Local 1701 JATC in Owensboro
• Paducah Electrical JATC
• IEC of the Bluegrass in Lexington – Apprenticeship Program
• IEC of Kentucky and Southern Indiana
• ABC Indiana/Kentucky Chapter

Electrician Schools in Kentucky

The union and non-union apprenticeship programs provide classroom hours and work experience. If you choose to complete an educational program at an electrician or lineman trade school or community college instead, you will get the classroom time and will then need to find an electrician to hire you to get the four years of work experience required for licensing.

• Ashland Community and Technical College, Ashland. Ashland offers a program in electrical technology that takes two years to complete and confers an associate degree. The school also has diploma and certificate programs in industrial electrician, electrician apprentice, residential electrician and electrician helper.
• Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington. Students at Bluegrass interested in a career as an electrician can choose from several degree, certificate and diploma options. They include construction electrician, industrial electrician, motor controls electrician and residential electricity.
• Gateway Community and Technical College, Florence. In Florence students can choose to complete a two-year degree program or a shorter diploma program in either construction electrical technology or industrial electrical technology.
• Lineman Training Center. If you’re looking for a lineman school in Kentucky, the Lineman Training Center in Somerset, KY has one of the most expansive indoor training facilities and comprehensive curriculum in the nation.

Outlook and Salary Expectations

The outlook for electrical careers in Kentucky is positive. You can expect to have a lot of options for careers once you have the appropriate training and work experience for becoming licensed. According to the BLS, there were 10,120 electricians working in the state in 2018, and there will be nearly 10,300 by 2028. This means the state will need many more qualified electricians to fill positions in the coming years. You can expect approximately 1,200 annual job openings during this period.

New electricians can also expect to have a great salary once licensed. The average income for a Kentucky electrician in 2019 was $51,990. That same year the top earners in the field made $77,880 on average. There is plenty of room for growth and to earn more over the years.

Salaries in Kentucky by Occupation 2019

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	9,880	$25.69	$53,440	$32,680	$39,490	$68,220	$77,880
Helpers--Electricians	830	$15.29	$31,810	$21,850	$25,400	$37,200	$43,780
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	140	$29.66	$61,700	$41,010	$52,700	$72,700	$82,730
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	550	$26.63	$55,380	$41,680	$48,930	$62,370	$66,420
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	500	$39.50	$82,150	$63,570	$72,980	$94,330	$99,380
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	2,680	$29.95	$62,300	$24,180	$45,030	$80,030	$93,730

Electrician Salaries in Kentucky by Region 2019

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
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	5,230	$24.04	$50,010	$14.03	$18.27	$29.44	$34.47
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	780	$30.71	$63,870	$19.20	$25.19	$36.82	$42.97
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	4,050	$27.20	$56,580	$16.44	$20.27	$34.72	$38.02
Evansville, IN-KY	1,000	$27.36	$56,900	$15.89	$19.54	$35.07	$38.58
Clarksville, TN-KY	260	$25.43	$52,900	$17.88	$20.41	$30.97	$37.03
Bowling Green, KY	360	$24.76	$51,490	$15.91	$19.11	$29.94	$35.54
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY	190	$24.35	$50,640	$17.37	$20.50	$27.02	$33.60
Lexington-Fayette, KY	1,180	$24.45	$50,860	$15.63	$19.01	$29.41	$36.03
Owensboro, KY	390	$24.32	$50,580	$16.36	$18.94	$29.04	$31.70

Working as an Electrician in Kentucky

Not only are there expected to be many more positions open for electricians in Kentucky in the next several years, there are also many options. As a licensed electrician or master electrician you could work for an electrical contractor, a general contractor, a building company, commercial buildings and industrial companies or even government agencies. You can also become licensed as a contractor and start your own business. With a few years of training, including paid apprenticeship work, you could work in any of these areas in the state.

College Programs

• Bowling Green, KY
• Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN
• Clarksville, TN-KY
• East Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area
• Elizabethtown, KY
• Evansville, IN-KY
• Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
• Lexington-Fayette, KY
• Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN
• Owensboro, KY
• South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area
• West Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area
• West Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area

Bowling Green, KY Area

1845 Loop Dr, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101-3601
(270) 901-1000
Residential Electricity – Certificate Program

Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Bowling Green, Kentucky. This public college has approximately 3,962 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Fees for tuition for in-state students are about $4,080 and for students from other states likely to be about $13,800 yearly. Books and supplies can cost about $1,000, although this will depend on the program.

Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Area

500 Technology Way, Florence, Kentucky 41042
(859) 441-4500
Electrical Technology: Construction Electrician – Certificate Program

Gateway Community and Technical College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. All programs are offered at their campus in Florence in Boone County. Most of the school’s 4,581 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is around $4,160 and for out-of-state students around $13,880 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,000, depending on the program chosen.

Clarksville, TN-KY Area

720 North Dr., Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42240
(270) 707-3700
Electrician Trainee Level I – Certificate Program

Hopkinsville Community College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. All programs are offered at their campus in the town of Hopkinsville. The majority of of the school’s 3,120 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Fees for tuition for in-state students are in the order of $4,080 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $13,800 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $1,000, although this will vary with the program.

East Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Area

1 Bert Combs Dr, Prestonsburg, Kentucky 41653
(606) 886-3863 x0
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program

Big Sandy Community and Technical College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. Classes are taken at their campus in the town of Prestonsburg. Most of the school’s 4,938 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is around $4,080 and for out-of-state students around $13,800 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,000, depending on the program chosen.

One Community College Drive, Hazard, Kentucky 41701-2402
(606) 487-3503
Electrician Construction – Certificate Program

Hazard Community and Technical College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. All programs are taught at their campus in the town of Hazard, KY. The majority of of the school’s 3,238 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is about $4,080 and for students from other states around $13,800 for each academic year. Books and supplies can cost roughly $1,000, although this will depend on the program.

700 College Rd, Cumberland, Kentucky 40823
(606) 589-2145
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. All programs are imparted at their campus in the town of Cumberland, KY. The majority of of the school’s 3,111 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition fees for in-state students are generally around $4,080 and for out-of-state students approximately $13,800 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,000, although this will depend on the program.

Elizabethtown, KY Area

600 College Street Rd, Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701-3081
(270) 769-2371
Electrical Construction – Certificate Program, Construction Electrician Track – Associate Program

Elizabethtown Community and Technical 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 Elizabethtown. The majority of of the school’s 6,301 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly about $4,080 and for students from other states around $13,800 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost roughly $1,000, although this will vary with the program.

Evansville, IN-KY Area

2660 S Green St, Henderson, Kentucky 42420-4699
(270) 827-1867
Electrical – Certificate Program

The Certificate program in Electrical at Henderson Community College can be taken at their campus in Henderson in Henderson County, KY. This public college has round 1,561 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition fees for in-state students are generally about $4,080 and for students from other states approximately $13,800 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,000, although this will depend on the program.

Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Area

1400 College Drive, Ashland, Kentucky 41101-3683
(606) 326-2000
Electrician Apprentice – Certificate Program

Ashland Community and Technical College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. All programs are taught at their campus in the city of Ashland, Kentucky. The college has in the region of 2,728 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition fees for in-state students are generally in the order of $4,080 and for students from outside the state approximately $13,800 annually. Learning materials may cost around $1,000, although this will vary with the program.

Lexington-Fayette, KY Area

470 Cooper Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40506
(859) 246-6200
Electrical Engineering Technology – Certificate Program, Construction Electrician – Associate Program

Bluegrass Community and Technical College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians, a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Lexington, KY. The college has approximately 10,388 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition fees for in-state students are around $4,160 and for out-of-state students approximately $13,880 annually. Study materials can cost around $1,000, depending on the program chosen.

Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Area

109 E Broadway, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2005
(502) 213-4000
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program

Jefferson Community and Technical College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. All programs are based at their campus in Louisville in Jefferson County. The college has round 12,138 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Fees for tuition for in-state students are likely to be in the order of $4,160 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $13,880 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $1,000, although this will vary with the program.

Owensboro, KY Area

4800 New Hartford Rd, Owensboro, Kentucky 42303
(270) 686-4400
Residential Electricity II – Certificate Program, Industrial Electrician – Associate Program

Owensboro Community and Technical College offers various Certificate program options for future professionals, a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in Owensboro in Daviess County. The majority of of the school’s 3,974 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly about $4,080 and for students from other states around $13,800 for each academic year. Books and supplies can cost roughly $1,000, although this will depend on the program.

South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Area

808 Monticello Street, Somerset, Kentucky 42501-2973
(877) 629-9722
Electrical Construction – Certificate Program

Somerset Community College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians. Classes are taken at their campus in the town of Somerset, Kentucky. This public college has in the order of 6,386 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Fees for tuition for in-state students are likely to be about $4,080 and for students from other states likely to be about $13,800 yearly. Books and supplies can cost about $1,000, although this will depend on the program.

West Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Area

1755 U.S. Hwy 68, Maysville, Kentucky 41056
(606) 759-7141
Electrical Construction – Certificate Program

Maysville Community and Technical College offers various Certificate program options for future professionals. Classes are taken at their campus in Maysville in Mason County, KY. The majority of of the school’s 3,158 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is in the order of $4,080 and for students from outside the state around $13,800 for each academic year, while books and supplies may cost roughly $1,000, although this varies from program to program.

West Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Area

2000 College Drive, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431
(270) 821-2250
Electricity – Associate Program

The Associate’s degree program in Electricity at Madisonville Community College is offered at their campus in Madisonville in Hopkins County. The majority of of the school’s 4,261 students are on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for in-state students is usually around $4,080 and for out-of-state students likely to be about $13,800 yearly. Books and supplies can cost about $1,000, although this will depend on the program.

4810 Alben Barkley Drive, Paducah, Kentucky 42002-7380
(270) 554-9200 x0
Electrician Trainee Level I – Certificate Program, Construction Electrician Track – Associate Program

West Kentucky Community and Technical 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 town of Paducah, Kentucky. Most of the school’s 5,980 students are on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for in-state students is about $4,080 and for students from other states in the order of $13,800 per year, while study materials may cost in the order of $1,000, depending on the 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

Residents of Kentucky may also wish to review their options in Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, Missouri, West Virginia and Illinois.

FAQs

How much do electricians earn in the state of Kentucky?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of Kentucky made an average of $53,440 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $32,680 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $77,880.

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