How to Become an Electrician in Massachusetts
Job growth for licensed electricians in Massachusetts remains strong and is expected to continue, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This field offers steady opportunities, competitive pay, and hands-on work with daily variety. Training to become a licensed electrician in Massachusetts can lead to a reliable and rewarding career. [En Español]
Requirements for a Massachusetts Electricians License
Becoming an electrician in Massachusetts requires classroom training at a trade school or community college and hands-on apprenticeship experience. The Board of State Examiners of Electricians oversees the licensing process, issuing licenses for journeymen and master electricians.
To become a journeyman electrician in Massachusetts, you must complete 8,000 hours of supervised electrical work and 600 hours of classroom training. Coursework covers technical skills and regulatory topics, including the National Electrical Code (NEC). After meeting these requirements, you can take the exam and apply for a journeyman license, also called a Class A license. You can qualify through an apprenticeship program or by earning an electrical degree and working as an apprentice.
In order to become a master electrician in Massachusetts, you must work as a licensed journeyman for at least one year and complete 150 additional hours of coursework on the National Electrical Code and state regulations. You must also pass an exam administered by the Board of State Examiners of Electricians. Master electricians can start a contracting business, which must be registered with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. This license is also called a Class B license.
The Board of State Examiners of Electricians requires licensed electricians to complete 21 hours of continuing education every three years to renew Class A and Class B licenses. Renewal is available online through the Division of Professional Licensure’s (DPL) e-PLACE Portal. Renewal notices are sent 60 to 90 days before the July 31st expiration date. Mandatory continuing education includes 15 hours on Massachusetts Electrical Code (Amendments) and six hours of professional development.
Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Massachusetts
The Division of Apprentice Standards provides guidance on approved apprenticeship programs for electricians in Massachusetts. Local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) run these programs through Joint Apprentice and Training Committees (JATCs). For example the electrical union in Boston, the IBEW Local 103, runs the Boston JATC. The programs provide qualified applicants with the required coursework for licensing and placement with a master electrician for an apprenticeship and training. Some programs available in Massachusetts are:
- Boston JATC, Local 103 IBEW
- IBEW Local 223 Southeast Massachusetts
- Springfield Electrical JATC, Local 7 IBEW
- IBEW Local 96, Worcester
Apprenticeship programs typically take five years to complete, combining evening classes with daytime work under a master electrician. Apprentices earn wages during training. Enrollment requirements usually include being at least 18 years old, having a high school diploma or GED, and passing an aptitude test.
You may also choose a non-union apprenticeship program through the Independent Electrical Contractors. The New England Chapter provides information on their program here.
Additionally, Associated Builders and Contrators (ABC) of Massachusetts offers their Merit Apprenticeship Program (MAP) and broad range of training in constructions trades through their affiliate, the Gould Construction Institute.
For those interested in finding a lineman school in Massachusetts, Northeast Public Power Association (NEPPA) in Littleman offers a four-year lineman apprenticeship program, which combines hands-on and formal classroom training.
Massachusetts Electrician Schools
An alternative to completing a union or non-union apprenticeship to become an electrician in Massachusetts is to earn a degree in electrical technology or engineering. If you choose this route to get your classroom hours, you will still need to find a master electrician to apprentice with and get your 8,000 hours of work experience.
- Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Boston. The associate degree program in electrical technology at Benjamin Franklin is a good way to start a career as an electrician. The two-year program prepares students for entry-level work and electrician apprenticeships.
- Port and Chester Institute. This school has campuses in Canton, Worcester and Chicopee, and offers a one-year program in electrician skills. This can jumpstart your classroom requirements for licensing and prepare you to find an apprenticeship for work experience.
- Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield. Berkshire offers students a two-year associate degree program in computer and electronic technology. This provides needed classroom hours for future electricians and prepares students for entry-level jobs in electronics and working with computers.
- Manchester Community College. Manchester offers a electrical lineman certification program in partnership with IBEW Locals 104 and 1837.
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Outlook and Salary Expectations
Future electricians in Massachusetts can expect to have plenty of job opportunities upon becoming licensed as a journeyman. The growth in the industry is at 29% in the state. According to the BLS, there were 17,490 electricians working in Massachusetts in 2020, and there are expected to be over 22,620 by 2030, positions that will be filled by today’s apprentices.
The salary expectations are also strong for those training to become electricians. In 2020 in Massachusetts, electricians’ average annual salary was $81,170. Those with more experience who are working as contractors and business owners can earn even more. The top-earning electricians in 2020 in the state made an average of $125,040.
Salaries in Massachusetts 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 | 17,490 | $39.02 | $81,170 | $47,790 | $58,080 | $98,680 | $125,040 |
| Helpers--Electricians | 890 | $21.63 | $44,980 | $36,990 | $40,540 | $51,590 | $58,710 |
| Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | ** | $46.17 | $96,030 | $64,980 | $72,650 | $96,030 | $122,790 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | 1,200 | $37.67 | $78,350 | $48,180 | $63,130 | $93,220 | $109,380 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | 400 | $49.48 | $102,920 | $90,290 | $99,490 | $105,810 | $113,060 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 1,850 | $48.42 | $100,720 | $67,130 | $82,570 | $107,150 | $121,270 |
Electrician Salaries in Massachusetts 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 | $78,700 | $22.01 | $28.54 | $47.64 | $52.32 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 1,490 | $37.78 | $78,580 | $21.76 | $26.06 | $40.22 | $49.40 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 2,410 | $32.70 | $68,010 | $21.04 | $23.28 | $38.24 | $48.33 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 12,840 | $39.17 | $81,480 | $22.97 | $28.02 | $47.44 | $61.03 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 450 | $40.86 | $84,980 | $23.17 | $27.83 | $51.05 | $54.51 |
| Leominster-Gardner, MA | 120 | $37.26 | $77,490 | $22.07 | $26.08 | $39.82 | $49.42 |
Working as an Electrician in Massachusetts
Training to become an electrician in Massachusetts opens many job opportunities. You can work for an electrical contractor or start your own business, hiring and managing other electricians. Jobs are available in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. With a few years of training, you can earn your electrician license and build a stable career.
College Programs
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA NECTA Division Area
41 Berkeley St, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 423-4630
Electrical Engineering – Associate Program, Electrical Technology – Certificate Program
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. This private, not-for-profit college has around 596 students in total, with most students on 4-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career Institutions. Tuition fees are around $17,450 yearly. Study materials can cost about $1,000, depending on the program chosen.
Neighbor States
Residents of Massachusetts may also wish to review their options in Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont.
FAQs
How much do electricians earn in the state of Massachusetts?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of Massachusetts made an average of $71,110 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $36,420 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $114,040.
