How to Become an Electrician in Mississippi

For anyone in Mississippi looking for a new career or a first career, training to become a licensed electrician is a great option. According to the BLS, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for electricians in the state are growing at a rate of 4 percent from 2018 to 2028. If you begin training now, you could be one of the licensed professionals filling the many positions that will be available in 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 issue journeyman licenses after candidates have completed an electrical trade school program with work experience or an apprenticeship program. The general requirements to take a city’s journeyman exam include 8,000 hours, or five years, of on-the-job training and work experience, plus 1,000 hours of classroom work or a certificate or degree in a related field along with four years of work experience.

After working as a journeyman for a set period of time, you may be able to seek licensing as an electrician or master electrician, depending on what a particular city offers. Electricians at this level can also become Independent Electrical Contractors through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Contractors can hire other electricians and offer electrical services to the public.

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Mississippi

An apprenticeship program in Mississippi, whether through a union or a non-union organization, can provide you with the classroom hours and work experience hours needed to become licensed as a journeyman in most cities in the state. There are several union programs in 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 4 percent. The BLS records that there were 6,630 employed electricians there in 2018 and that there will be 6,910 by 2028. This increase reflects the need for more qualified and licensed electricians in the state.

Salaries in Mississippi for licensed electricians were $49,810 on average in 2019. This is just the starting point, though, as those earning in the top 10 percent made more than $63,380 that year. 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 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	5,160	$23.46	$48,790	$31,900	$40,360	$58,310	$63,380
Helpers--Electricians	820	$14.17	$29,480	$20,860	$25,260	$34,070	$38,530
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	510	$28.83	$59,970	$44,130	$52,420	$67,690	$77,110
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	330	$33.59	$69,860	$47,970	$63,380	$79,980	$88,550
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	1,800	$30.26	$62,940	$40,180	$51,310	$75,360	$80,350

Electrician Salaries in Mississippi 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
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	2,450	$22.93	$47,690	$13.84	$17.95	$28.03	$30.49
Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS	1,890	$25.58	$53,210	$18.59	$23.64	$29.04	$30.41
Hattiesburg, MS	100	$19.48	$40,520	$11.95	$14.18	$23.75	$27.98
Jackson, MS	980	$21.94	$45,640	$14.54	$17.12	$26.04	$30.89

Working as an Electrician in Mississippi

As opportunities for electricians in Mississippi continue to grow, those individuals who are training now can expect to have a lot of choices for jobs in the coming years. As a journeyman electrician you may choose to work for an electrical contractor, or you may work toward achieving that license for yourself to start a business and hire other electricians. You may work in residential or commercial buildings, in industrial sites or for government agencies. If you train now to become an electrician, any of these careers could be yours in just a few years.

College Programs

• Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
• Jackson, MS
• Memphis, TN-MS-AR
• Northeast Mississippi Nonmetropolitan Area
• Northwest Mississippi Nonmetropolitan Area
• Southeast Mississippi Nonmetropolitan Area
• Southwest Mississippi Nonmetropolitan Area

Gulfport-Biloxi, MS Area

51 Main Street, Perkinston, Mississippi 39573
(866) 735-1122
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program, Electrical Technology – Associate Program

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offers various Certificate program options for future professionals, a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in Perkinston in Stone County. Most of the school’s 9,391 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 $3,670 and for students from other states around $6,770 for each academic year. Learning materials may cost roughly $960, although this varies from program to program.

Jackson, MS Area

608 Hinds Boulevard, Raymond, Mississippi 39154
(601) 857-5261
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program, Electrical Technology – Associate Program

Hinds Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and two Associate programs. Classes are taken at their campus in Raymond in Hinds County. The college has in the order of 11,935 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. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is about $3,080 and for students from other states around $6,120 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,360, depending on the program.

113 Market Ridge Drive, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157-6027
(601) 206-5200 x1508
Industrial, Commercial & Residential Electrician – Certificate Program

Midwest Technical Institute’s Certificate-level Industrial, Commercial & Residential Electrician program is offered at their Ridgeland campus in Ridgeland in Madison County, MS. This private, for-profit college has in the order of 326 students in total, with most students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Fees for tuition are broadly about $15,007 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $193, depending on the program.

Memphis, TN-MS-AR Area

6550 D Interstate Blvd., Horn Lake, Mississippi 38637
(662) 280-1443
Industrial, Commercial, & Residential Electrician – Certificate Program

The Certificate program in Industrial, Commercial, & Residential Electrician at Delta Technical College is taught at their campus in Horn Lake in Desoto County, Mississippi. Most of the school’s 178 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Fees for tuition are about $15,938 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $962, depending on the program chosen.

Northeast Mississippi Nonmetropolitan Area Area

602 W Hill Street, Fulton, Mississippi 38843-1099
(601) 862-8000
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program, Electrical Conc – Gen Studies – Associate Program

Itawamba Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are imparted at their campus in the town of Fulton. The majority of of the school’s 5,611 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 $2,840 and for out-of-state students in the order of $5,040 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,400, depending on the program chosen.

101 Cunningham Blvd, Booneville, Mississippi 38829
(662) 728-7751
Electrical Technology – Associate Program

Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Associate-level Electrical Technology program is offered at their campus in the town of Booneville, MS. This public college has about 3,569 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. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly about $3,232 and for students from other states around $5,932 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,000, depending on the program chosen.

Northwest Mississippi Nonmetropolitan Area Area

Hwy 3 and Cherry St, Moorhead, Mississippi 38761
(662) 246-6322
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program, Electrical Technology – Associate Program

Mississippi Delta Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and two Associate programs. Classes are taken at their campus in the town of Moorhead, MS. This public college has approximately 2,402 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 around $3,030 and for out-of-state students approximately $4,638 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,400, although this will depend on the program.

Southeast Mississippi Nonmetropolitan Area Area

15738 Highway 15, Decatur, Mississippi 39327-0129
(601) 635-2111
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program, Electrical Technology – Associate Program

East Central Community College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are imparted at their campus in Decatur in Newton County, MS. This public college has approximately 2,558 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. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is about $2,790 and for students from other states around $4,890 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,280, depending on the program.

1512 Kemper Street, Scooba, Mississippi 39358-0158
(662) 476-5000
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program, Electrical Technology – Associate Program

East Mississippi Community College offers various Certificate program options for future professionals, a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are imparted at their campus in Scooba in Kemper County. The college has in the order of 4,259 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 around $3,240 and for out-of-state students approximately $6,240 annually. Study materials can cost around $1,200, depending on the program chosen.

900 South Court Street, Ellisville, Mississippi 39437
(601) 477-4000
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program, Electrical Technology – Associate Program

Jones County Junior College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the town of Ellisville, MS. The majority of of the school’s 4,727 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 $3,480 and for students from other states around $4,480 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $720, depending on the program.

101 Hwy 11 N, Poplarville, Mississippi 39470
(601) 403-1000
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program, Electronics Engineering Technology – Associate Program

Pearl River Community College offers various Certificate program options for future opticians, a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in Poplarville in Pearl River County, Mississippi. The majority of of the school’s 4,379 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 $3,500 and for students from outside the state around $5,898 for each academic year. Books and supplies can cost roughly $1,690, although this will depend on the program.

Southwest Mississippi Nonmetropolitan Area Area

1156 College Dr, Summit, Mississippi 39666-0000
(601) 276-2000
Electrical Technology – Associate Program

The Associate’s degree program in Electrical Technology at Southwest Mississippi Community College is based at their campus in Summit in Pike County, Mississippi. This public college has approximately 1,884 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. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly in the order of $3,200 and for students from outside the state around $5,900 for each academic year, while books and supplies may cost roughly $500, although this varies from program to 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 Mississippi may also wish to review their options in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama.

FAQs

How much do electricians earn in the state of Mississippi?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of Mississippi made an average of $48,790 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $31,900 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $63,380.

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