How to Become an Electrician in Louisiana

Becoming an electrician in Louisiana offers job security and strong earning potential. In 2023, the state employed 11,270 electricians, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of electricians nationwide is expected to grow by 15% in the coming years. [En Español]

In Louisiana, the path to becoming a licensed electrician begins as a trainee electrician. After gaining experience, you can apply for a journeyman license. With a few years of journeyman experience, you can qualify for a master electrician license. Eventually, you may choose to become a licensed electrical contractor, allowing you to run your own business and take on larger projects.

Requirements for a Louisiana Electrical License

Each state sets its own rules and regulations for electrician licensing. While some states issue licenses statewide, Louisiana grants journeyman and master electrician licenses at the city or county level. However, once licensed, electricians can work anywhere in the state. Electrical contractor licenses are issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and are required for those looking to operate independently or run a business.

Before applying for an electrician license in Louisiana, you must first gain experience as an electrical trainee or enroll in an apprenticeship program. If you have no prior construction or electrical experience and are not working as an apprentice, you may need to apply for a trainee license, as some cities require it.

To apply for a trainee electrician license, you must submit:

• Two passport-sized photos
• A driver’s license
• A letter from an employer or union on official letterhead requesting a helper’s license

This step ensures you gain the necessary experience before advancing to a journeyman license.

As a journeyman electrician in Louisiana, you can work under a licensed contractor, installing and repairing electrical systems and wiring. To qualify for a journeyman license, you must complete either five years of work experience as a trainee electrician or four years of work experience along with an apprenticeship or electrical training program at a trade school or community college. Additionally, you must pass the journeyman exam with a score of 70 or higher. This license must be renewed annually to remain valid.

A maintenance electrician license is another option, but it limits you to working on existing electrical installations rather than installing new systems. To qualify, you must complete five years of work experience and pass the licensing exam. Like the journeyman license, this license must be renewed annually to remain valid.

To earn a master electrician license in Louisiana, also known as a Class A Master Electrical License, you must work under a licensed contractor for five years. This license allows you to operate as an independent contractor. In addition to work experience, you must pass the Louisiana Master Electrician – 701 exam, submit two passport-sized photos, have a business location for inspection, carry liability and worker’s compensation insurance, possess a valid driver’s license, and pay the application fee. This license must be renewed annually to remain active.

If you choose to become a contractor, you can work as either a residential or commercial contractor. To apply for a Louisiana contractor license, you must determine if you want a commercial or residential license, provide your Louisiana contractors uniform financial statement, pass the Business and Law (the exam is based on NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Louisiana Contractors 12th Edition) and trade exams (which will test your knowledge of the National Electrical Code and the state code) and, if you are going for residential, have liability insurance. After the first year you must renew your license, then you can opt to renew it annually, biannually or every three years. Six continuing education hours are required to renew a contractor’s license. See a list of continuing education providers in Louisiana.

Louisiana electrician licenses are reciprocal with the following states:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors also provides a Louisiana contractor license search service for consumers.

Apprenticeship Programs

In Louisiana, Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) offices partner with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to provide union apprenticeships. These programs combine classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training. Apprenticeships typically last four to five years, meeting both work experience and education requirements. Union membership is required to participate. The following JATCs offer apprenticeship programs in Louisiana:

• Alexandria Electrical JATC
• Baton Rouge Area Electrical JATC
• Bogalusa Electrical JATC
• Lake Charles Electrical JATC
• Monroe Electrical JATC
• New Orleans Electrical JATC
• Shreveport Area Electrical JATC

For non-union apprenticeship options, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) New Orleans/Bayou Chapter offers a four year program for students who are indentured with the Louisiana Department of Labor. All courses are NCCER certified. The course is competency-based, with testing for both technical knowledge and skill.

For information on all registered apprenticeship programs in Louisiana, visit the Louisiana Department of Labor website or the U.S. Department of Labor’s apprenticeship.gov website.

Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) do not currently have a chapter in the state of Louisiana.

Electrician Programs in Louisiana

Technical college or trade school programs give students the chance to complete their education requirements to become licensed electricians, receive training through labs and internships and earning a certificate or degree in the process. Several Louisiana trade schools and community colleges have certificate and/or associate degree programs in electrical technology.

• Delgado Community College offers three certificate programs that focus on the three main types of electrical work: residential, commercial and industrial. When you complete one of these programs, you will receive a certificate in technical studies (CTS) as either a residential, commercial or industrial electrician. All three programs are available at both the Sidney Collier and Jefferson campuses. The residential CTS program is 25 credit hours and can be completed in about nine months. The commercial is 30 credit hours and can also be completed in nine months. The industrial CTS program is 33 credit hours and takes about 13.5 months to complete. Additionally, they offer an Electric Line Technician for those interested in becoming a lineman.
• Sowela Technical Community College in Lake Charles has an associate degree program that prepares students to become industrial electricians by teaching them to install and repair wiring and equipment used in industrial settings. The program consists of 60 credit hours and takes four semesters (about two years) to complete.
• Central Louisiana Technical Community College. The electrician program at Central Louisiana Tech is offered at the Alexandria, Many and Natchitoches campuses. Students can get a technical competency certificate as either an electrician helper or a solar systems installer. They can also get a certificate of technical studies as a residential electrician or energy systems technician. The highest level of achievement is the technical diploma, of which there are two options: industrial electrician and commercial wiring.
• South Louisiana Community College. For those looking for a lineman school in Louisiana, SLCC offers a Certified Power Lineman program. The 16-25 week program is a partnership with local utility companies LUS, SLEMCO, Cleco, and Entergy and is taught on SLCC’s Acadian Campus in Crowley.

Outlook and Salary Expectations

The BLS reported in 2023 that the number of electricians working in Louisiana was expected to increase by fifteen percent by 2033, although nationwide an increase of eight percent is anticipated.

The average annual pay for electricians is $62,350 (BLS May 2025 OEWS data). The top 10% of electricians in the state earn $81,810 or more.

Salaries in Louisiana 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	11,270	$28.49	$59,260	$36,140	$47,200	$64,360	$76,960
Helpers--Electricians	2,770	$17.83	$37,090	$28,940	$34,400	$46,470	$50,660
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	180	$32.60	$67,800	$52,120	$61,600	$79,490	$84,900
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	1,070	$31.63	$65,790	$46,160	$56,160	$85,780	$102,710
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	320	$48.69	$101,280	$82,370	$89,870	$105,350	$112,770
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	1,030	$35.14	$73,090	$41,660	$58,170	$82,430	$100,670

Electrician Salaries in Louisiana 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
Alexandria, LA	160	$26.29	$54,690	$18.44	$26.29	$26.29	$28.59
Baton Rouge, LA	3,810	$29.52	$61,390	$20.77	$24.98	$32.20	$36.74
Hammond, LA	80	$23.62	$49,140	$16.85	$19.19	$28.56	$34.26
Houma-Thibodaux, LA	570	$27.35	$56,880	$19.13	$22.99	$31.65	$36.17
Lafayette, LA	1,180	$25.00	$52,000	$16.92	$21.64	$28.73	$34.72
Monroe, LA	340	$23.18	$48,210	$14.35	$18.39	$27.94	$30.37
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	2,680	$29.02	$60,360	$17.44	$22.09	$32.11	$39.55
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA	700	$23.01	$47,860	$16.05	$18.15	$29.51	$34.11

Working as an Electrician in Louisiana

Licensed electricians can find jobs in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. New Orleans and Baton Rouge have the highest employment rates for electricians in Louisiana. Opportunities exist in homes, factories, government buildings, construction sites, hotels, condominiums, and airports. Electricians can also work with contractors. Major contracting companies in the state include Doyle Electric Inc, Copeland Electric, Trinity Electric, Fitzgerald Electrical LLC, Leger Electric LLC, Blanchard Electric Inc, Anytime Electric LLC, and Kintzing Electrical Contractors Inc. The demand for electricians in Louisiana continues to grow, making it a strong career choice.

Organizations You Should Know

• IBEW Local 995, Baton Rouge
• IBEW Local 130, Metairie, serving New Orleans
• IBEW Local 861, Lake Charles
• IBEW Local 194, Shreveport

College Listings

Neighbor States

See also the neighbor states of Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas.