How to Become an Electrician in Mississippi

Training to become a licensed electrician in Mississippi is a strong career choice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), electrician jobs in the state are growing at a 9% rate from 2023 to 2033. Starting training now can help you secure one of the many job openings expected in the coming years. [En Español]

Mississippi Electrical License Requirements

In Mississippi, electricians are licensed by individual cities. For example, electrician licenses for Jackson, MS are issued and renewed by the City of Jackson, Department of Neighborhood & Economic Operations; in Southaven, it is the city’s Department Permits & Applications.

Most cities in Mississippi issue journeyman licenses after candidates complete either an electrical trade school program with work experience or an apprenticeship program. To qualify for the journeyman exam, applicants typically need 8,000 hours (five years) of on-the-job training and 1,000 hours of classroom instruction. Alternatively, a certificate or degree in a related field combined with four years of work experience may also meet the requirements.

After gaining experience as a journeyman, you may qualify for licensing as an electrician or master electrician, depending on city requirements. At this level, you can also become an Independent Electrical Contractor through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Contractors can hire electricians and offer electrical services to the public.

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Mississippi

An apprenticeship program in Mississippi, whether union or non-union, provides the classroom hours and work experience needed for journeyman licensing in most cities. Several union apprenticeship programs are available throughout the state. Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) programs are run through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local chapters:

• Gulfport JATC, IBEW Local 903
• Meridian Area Electricians JATC, IBEW Local 917
• Jackson JATC, IBEW Local 480
• Corinth-Tupelo JATC, IBEW Local 852

These programs supply classes and apprenticeship positions. To enroll in a JATC you must have a high school diploma or GED with a passing score in algebra, a driver’s license and a passing score on a basic aptitude test. You also have to sit for an interview, reside in the local union chapter’s region and register with the city as an apprentice.

Mississippi Schools for Electricians

An alternative to enrolling in a JATC is to first complete a certificate or degree program in electrical technology or engineering at community college or trade school. A four-year degree can substitute four years of work experience, while a shorter program can be a substitute for one year of work experience. In either case you still must find an apprenticeship and gain some amount of hands-on experience.

• Mississippi Delta Community College. With a campus in Moorhead, students at this community college can choose to earn a career certificate, a technical certificate or an associate degree in electrical technology. Each program prepares students to work as apprentices and provides required classroom hours.
• Meridian Community College. Students in Meridian, Mississippi, can complete a one-year certificate program in electrical technology. It provides basic knowledge needed to work as an apprentice, including classes in residential and commercial wiring, circuits, and fundamentals of electricity.
• East Mississippi Community College. Located at the Golden Triangle campus in Mayhew, this electrical technology program can be completed in two years to earn an associate degree or in one year to earn a certificate.
• Northeast Mississippi Community College. The Booneville campus offers an associate degree in electrical technology for students interested in entry-level electrical careers and apprenticeships. Coursework includes both residential and commercial electrical systems.
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. For those looking for a lineman school in Mississippi, Gulf Coast offers an Apprentice Electric Lineman program at its George County Center.

Outlook and Salary Expectations

Careers for Mississippi electricians are increasing and will continue to do so for years. The growth in the industry in the state is 9 percent. The BLS records that there were 5,780 employed electricians there in 2023 and that there will be 6,280 by 2033. This increase reflects the need for more qualified and licensed electricians in the state.

Electricians in Mississippi earn $58,000 on average (BLS May 2025 OEWS data). This is just the starting point, though, as the top 10 percent earn more than $76,540. If you become licensed as a master electrician and get years of experience or become an independent contractor, you can expect to earn on the higher end of the spectrum of incomes.

Salaries in Mississippi 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	5,780	$28.16	$58,580	$36,550	$44,610	$66,100	$73,490
Helpers--Electricians	780	$17.73	$36,880	$23,360	$30,660	$39,880	$44,860
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	530	$30.06	$62,530	$39,090	$50,090	$76,110	$83,410
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	290	$41.28	$85,850	$51,360	$65,580	$94,310	$96,820
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	2,020	$34.11	$70,950	$38,860	$48,470	$84,930	$94,310

Electrician Salaries in Mississippi 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
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	2,450	$26.28	$54,660	$17.70	$21.96	$31.94	$36.70
Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS	1,890	$31.78	$66,100	$21.58	$26.50	$31.78	$31.78
Hattiesburg, MS	100	$23.85	$49,600	$14.67	$19.24	$30.72	$41.32
Jackson, MS	980	$22.72	$47,260	$16.48	$19.89	$27.67	$31.74

Working as an Electrician in Mississippi

As demand for electricians in Mississippi continues to grow, those training now will have many job opportunities in the coming years. As a journeyman electrician, you can work for an electrical contractor or pursue a contractor’s license to start your own business and hire other electricians. Job options include work in residential and commercial buildings, industrial sites, and government agencies. With the right training, you can build a successful career in just a few years.

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Neighbor States

Residents of Mississippi may also wish to review their options in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama.