Becoming an Electrician in New Jersey
New Jersey has statewide regulations for electrician licensing, overseen by the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (BEEC). The first step is completing an apprenticeship before qualifying for a journeyman license. To become a journeyman electrician, you must complete 8,000 hours of electrical work under a licensed journeyman or master electrician and 576 hours of technical classroom training at a trade school. After working in the field for at least five years, you can apply for a licensed electrical contractor certification. This requires passing an exam with a minimum score of 70% and paying a $100 application fee. [En Español]
The Job Outlook in New Jersey
In 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 15,580 electricians working in New Jersey. Employment in this field is expected to grow by 15% through 2033, a rate higher than the average across all occupations. With high demand for electricians, approximately 1,950 new hires are projected by 2030.
Electrician Salaries in New Jersey
In 2023, the average annual salary for electricians in New Jersey was $68,250 (BLS). This is equivalent to $32.81 per hour. Those who are well trained can earn over $97,520 per year. The top 10th percentile earned an annual average of $127,540. There are many opportunities for people to find well-paying jobs in this field in this state compared to a lot of other states.
Salaries in New Jersey 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 | 15,580 | $32.81 | $68,250 | $42,910 | $51,570 | $109,010 | $127,540 |
| Helpers--Electricians | 1,330 | $17.81 | $37,040 | $33,550 | $35,360 | $42,910 | $50,770 |
| Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | 300 | $28.81 | $59,930 | $37,270 | $48,160 | $73,050 | $80,210 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | 1,510 | $29.77 | $61,920 | $49,630 | $59,990 | $79,010 | $97,770 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | 650 | $51.82 | $107,790 | $71,100 | $79,920 | $113,230 | $119,180 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 1,300 | $54.11 | $112,560 | $76,570 | $86,110 | $118,460 | $121,670 |
Electrician Salaries in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 10,710 | $34.93 | $72,660 | $21.39 | $26.92 | $47.47 | $60.86 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 44,330 | $36.84 | $76,620 | $21.70 | $28.79 | $59.23 | $63.50 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 1,040 | $33.92 | $70,540 | $21.32 | $24.59 | $44.71 | $61.18 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 700 | $30.00 | $62,400 | $17.69 | $22.82 | $51.50 | $54.65 |
| Ocean City, NJ | 60 | $28.45 | $59,180 | $16.89 | $21.95 | $34.33 | $39.64 |
| Trenton, NJ | 550 | $38.63 | $80,360 | $21.56 | $28.38 | $58.12 | $63.95 |
| Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ | 190 | $34.63 | $72,020 | $20.90 | $26.86 | $54.19 | $59.46 |
Electrician Training Programs in New Jersey
In New Jersey, electrician training is typically completed through apprenticeships offered by unions or non-union employers. Apprentices earn a salary, attend classes, and gain hands-on experience while working toward their journeyman license.
As an apprentice electrician in New Jersey, you will complete classroom education as part of the journeyman licensing requirements. Coursework covers electricity, electrical wiring, occupational health and safety, state building codes, and the National Electrical Code (NEC), along with other aspects of electrical system maintenance and repair. Mathematics, including algebra, is also required, and apprentices must have a basic proficiency level to pass an aptitude test.
The knowledge gained in class will be put into practice while assisting a licensed electrician.
The New Jersey Joint Apprentice Training Committee (NJATC) provides a listing of unionized apprenticeship programs available in the state. New Jersey has six JATC offices that offer such apprenticeships. JATCs are educational organizations formed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association.
- IBEW Local 102 in Parsippany
- IBEW Local 164 in Paramus
- IBEW Local 456 in North Brunswick
- IBEW Local 269 in Trenton
- IBEW Local 351 in Folsom
- IBEW Local 400 in East Wall
Notable union programs are:
- Jersey City Electrical JATC. This union offers a five-year program that is administered in conjunction with the Bergen-Essex-Hudson Division of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). This program, located in Paramus, takes applications four times a year in January, April, July and October. Apprentices in this union attend school on a full-time, paid basis by professional instructors. Once the five years are completed, in addition to passing the apprenticeship examination, an individual can achieve journeyman electrician status.
- Asbury Park Area Electrical JATC. Accepting applications on Wednesdays only, this union offers the opportunity to attend training in the evenings while working during the day in the field. Located in Wall, NJ, this program boasts that being an apprentice with them will set you up with a “good living, health benefits and a retirement future.” The apprenticeship program takes five years to complete. In addition to the electrical apprenticeship program, this union also offers Electrical Journeyman skill improvement courses for members in the evenings and weekends.
- Trenton JATC. Apprentices in this program in Trenton, NJ, have the option of choosing to specialize as an Inside Wireman or a High Voltage Testing Technician. Both programs take five years to complete and include on-the-job electrical training and classroom instruction. Currently, they only accept applications between January and March and they must be submitted online.
New Jersey also has an Independent Electrical Contractors group that offers non-union apprenticeships. As with union programs, these include coursework and on-the-job training, but you will not be a member of the union.
The IEC New Jersey Chapter offers a four-year apprenticeship with locations in East Brunswick, Paterson and Wayne. ABC New Jersey (Associated Builders and Contractors) also offers electrician apprenticeship and training along with other building trades.
Whether you enroll in a non-union or a union program, you must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training along with 576 hours of classroom learning to become a licensed New Jersey journeyman electrician.
Where to Find Work in New Jersey
With strong job growth expected in New Jersey, becoming an electrician offers job security and competitive pay. Most electricians work in unions on construction projects, residential jobs, and commercial installations, while many start their own businesses after earning a journeyman or electrical contractor license. However, non-union electricians also have plenty of employment opportunities. Regardless of the specialty, electricians in New Jersey can expect to earn a higher wage compared to those in many other states.
Electricians in New Jersey can specialize in various fields, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, solar energy technology, and residential or commercial electrical work. Some specialties, like solar energy, may require additional professional certification.
Below you can check the electrician schools and community colleges with electrical technology programs in New Jersey and choose the one that best suits you.
List of Approved College Programs
13 New Jersey colleges report an electrician or electrical technology program to the National Center for Education Statistics (College Navigator export, July 2026). They are listed alphabetically by city. Tuition figures are the school’s own IPEDS filing for the program named, not a quote; confirm current costs with the school.
99 Erial Road, Blackwood, New Jersey 08012
(856) 232-0310
Electrician – Certificate Program
Pennco Tech-Blackwood is a private for-profit 2-year institution in Blackwood, NJ, with 996 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Its Electrician program runs 900 clock hours and is typically completed in 16 months, with tuition and fees of $18,750 and books and supplies of $1,240.
2201 Route 38 8th Floor, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002-4309
(856) 444-5600
Electrical – Certificate Program
American Institute-Cherry Hill is a private for-profit 2-year institution in Cherry Hill, NJ, with 400 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. Its Electrical program runs 32 credit hours and is typically completed in 11 months, with tuition and fees of $25,495.
346 LEXINGTON AVE, CLIFTON, New Jersey 07011
(973) 340-9500
Electrical – Certificate Program
American Institute-Clifton is a private for-profit 2-year institution in Clifton, NJ, with 735 students (all undergraduate). Its Electrical program runs 32 credit hours and is typically completed in 11 months, with tuition and fees of $25,495.
134 Evergreen Place, East Orange, New Jersey 07018
(973) 678-3901
Electrical Assistant – Certificate Program
National Career Institute is a private for-profit under-2-year institution in East Orange, NJ, with 148 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Reported tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $10,000 for the school’s largest program.
190 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601-6637
(201) 343-6000 x2288
Electrician – Certificate Program
Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS is a public under-2-year institution in Hackensack, NJ, with 54 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Its Electrician program runs 1,200 clock hours and is typically completed in 12 months, with tuition and fees of $17,600 and books and supplies of $494.
70 McKee Dr, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430
(201) 529-1414 x41400
Electrical – Certificate Program
Lincoln Technical Institute-Mahwah is a private for-profit 2-year institution in Mahwah, NJ, with 964 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Reported tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $28,425 for the school’s largest program.
634 Market Street, Paterson, New Jersey 07513
(973) 742-0009
Electrician Apprenticeship – Certificate Program
Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences is a private for-profit under-2-year institution in Paterson, NJ, with 134 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Reported tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $20,465 for the school’s largest program.
1776 Raritan Rd, Scotch Plains, New Jersey 07076
(908) 889-8288
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program
Union County Vocational Technical School is a public under-2-year institution in Scotch Plains, NJ, with 60 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Reported tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $5,500 for the school’s largest program.
80 Cottontail Lane, Somerset, New Jersey 08873-1100
(732) 201-8335
Electrical – Certificate Program
American Institute-Somerset is a private for-profit 2-year institution in Somerset, NJ, with 274 students (all undergraduate). Its Electrical program runs 32 credit hours and is typically completed in 11 months, with tuition and fees of $25,495.
2363 Lakewood Rd, Toms River, New Jersey 08755
(732) 719-2730
Electrical – Certificate Program
American Institute-Toms River is a private for-profit 2-year institution in Toms River, NJ, with 463 students (all undergraduate). Its Electrical program runs 32 credit hours and is typically completed in 11 months, with tuition and fees of $25,495.
137 Bey Lea Rd, Toms River, New Jersey 08753
(732) 473-3100 x3139
Electrical Trades Technology – Certificate Program
Ocean County Vocational-Technical School is a public under-2-year institution in Toms River, NJ, with 450 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Its Electrical Trades Technology program runs 900 clock hours and is typically completed in 10 months, with tuition and fees of $7,550 and books and supplies of $275.
2299 Vauxhall Rd, Union, New Jersey 07083
(908) 964-7800 x40500
Electrical – Certificate Program
Lincoln Technical Institute-Union is a private for-profit under-2-year institution in Union, NJ, with 1,648 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Reported tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $28,425 for the school’s largest program.
695 Woodlane Road, Westampton, New Jersey 08060-3826
(609) 267-4226
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program
Burlington County Institute of Technology-Adult Education is a public under-2-year institution in Westampton, NJ, with 250 students (all undergraduate). Its Electrical Technology program runs 360 clock hours and is typically completed in 4 months, with tuition and fees of $4,197 and books and supplies of $372.
Other electrical training programs in New Jersey
These campuses offer an electrical program that is filed with IPEDS under a different program code, or not yet filed, so they do not appear in the list above. Fortis reports these campuses to IPEDS under other program codes, so no federal tuition figure for the electrical program is available here.
201 Willowbrook Blvd., Wayne, New Jersey 07470
(973) 837-1818 x204
Electrical Systems Technician Program
2572 Brunswick Pike, Suite 100, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648
(609) 512-2650
Electrical Systems Technician Program
Registered electrical apprenticeship sponsors in New Jersey
Apprenticeship is how most New Jersey electricians train, and the programs below are registered with the US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (partner sponsor file dated 2026-09-09). Only training providers are listed: employer sponsors that register their own apprentices are not, and the file names sponsors without listing their occupations, so a sponsor whose name does not say electrical is not caught. IBEW Local 400 (Wall) and Local 269 (Trenton) also run apprenticeship programs in New Jersey and do not appear in the file under an electrical name, so treat the table as a floor, not a census.
| Sponsor | City | Type | Registered since |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 351, JATC | Folsom | IBEW/NECA JATC | 1947 |
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local Union 456, JATC | North Brunswick | IBEW/NECA JATC | 1952 |
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local Union 164, JATC | Paramus | IBEW/NECA JATC | 1955 |
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 102, JATC | Parsippany | IBEW/NECA JATC | 1969 |
| New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors Education & Training Center | East Brunswick | IEC chapter | 2019 |
| Starlight Electrical Institute | Egg Harbor Twp. | other registered program | 2023 |
| JEC Electrical Academy LLC | Westville | other registered program | 2026 |
How to apply to each New Jersey program
Read from each program’s own site or the state apprenticeship registry on 2026-09-16. Application windows, fees and wage rates change every year, so confirm them with the program before you rely on them; a posted wage is the sponsor’s figure on that date, not a promise of what you will earn.
IBEW Local 351 JATC. Journeyman Wireman and Teledata apprenticeships (next class year 2027). Length: five years, classes two nights a week. How to apply: in person only, every Wednesday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; $100 application fee (cash, check or money order). Requirements: 18 or older, high school diploma or equivalent, valid driver's license, resident of the local's jurisdiction; birth certificate, diploma or GED, transcript showing Algebra 1 or higher and proof of address due within 30 days; aptitude test (45 minutes reading, 45 minutes Algebra 1) then interview. 1125 Black Horse Pike, Folsom, NJ 08037, (609) 561-8515.
IBEW Local 456 JATC. Inside Wireman apprenticeship. How to apply: online (apply.appion.network/Start/ibew456) only on the dates the JATC posts; $75 non-refundable fee; documents due within 30 days. Requirements: 18 or older, valid New Jersey driver's license, resident of Middlesex County or the local's part of Somerset County, high school diploma or GED with one year of algebra; official transcript mailed by the school; aptitude test, interview, pre-employment physical and drug test. 1295 Livingston Avenue, North Brunswick, NJ 08902, (732) 246-2122.
IBEW Local 164 JATC. Electrical apprenticeship (day school, paid) and a telecommunications apprenticeship. Length: five years electrical, four years telecommunications. How to apply: in person; the JATC's site said on 2026-09-16 that applications are not being accepted until further notice, so check ibew164.org for the next date. Requirements: 18 or older, high school diploma or GED, valid driver's license, one full year of algebra with a passing grade. Cost: no tuition; apprentices buy their own textbooks. Pay: the JATC posts a starting rate of $16.69 an hour for the electrical program (date of the figure not stated), with health, pension and annuity benefits at no cost. 205 Robin Road, Suite 315, Paramus, NJ 07652, (201) 265-7273.
IBEW Local 102 JATC. Inside Wireman and Telecommunications apprenticeships (applications now taken for the September 2027 class). How to apply: online through the JATC's portal on published dates only (in 2026: April 7, August 4 and December 1, 9 am to noon or until 200 Inside Wireman / 50 Telecommunications applications are in); $50 non-refundable processing fee. Requirements: 17 to apply and 18 at indenture, high school diploma, GED or associate degree or higher, one full year of high school algebra with a passing grade (or a post-high-school algebra course), OSHA 30 Construction card; birth certificate, official transcript and diploma or GED due within 30 days; aptitude test in spring, then interview. 50 Parsippany Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054, (973) 428-2848.
NJ IEC Education & Training Center. IEC electrician apprenticeship (non-union, apprentices work for member contractors). Length: four years: at least 576 classroom hours and 8,000 hours on the job; classes Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday 6:30 to 9 pm in Somerset, with first-year classes also offered through Eastwick College and Hohokus School (Paterson) and years one and two at Passaic County Technical Institute (Wayne). How to apply: application form on nj-iec.org; allow four to six weeks for a response. Pay: paid while training; rates not published on the site. Credential: US DOL Office of Apprenticeship completion certificate and 57 college credits recommended through the American Council on Education. 20 Worlds Fair Drive, Suite F, Somerset, NJ 08873, (732) 276-2295.
JEC Electrical Academy. US DOL-registered apprentice program taught with Mike Holt apprentice training material, online self-study or on site at the employer; also New Jersey journeyman and master exam preparation. How to apply: through the academy's site. (267) 304-4078.
IBEW Local 269 JATC (runs a registered program but is not in the DOL partner file under an electrical name). Inside Wireman, Telecommunications Technician and High Voltage Testing Technician apprenticeships. Length: five years Inside Wireman, three years Telecommunications, five years High Voltage Testing. How to apply: online, January 1 to March 31 each year (next window January 1 to March 31, 2027); no application fee. Requirements: resident of the local's jurisdiction, 17 at application and 18 by July 1, valid driver's license, high school diploma or equivalent by the interview, passing grade in high school algebra or equivalent. 676 Whitehead Road, Trenton, NJ 08648, (609) 394-1337.
IBEW Local 400 JATC (runs a registered program but is not in the DOL partner file under an electrical name). Inside electrical apprenticeship. How to apply: online only, on the first Thursday of March and of November, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; $100 non-refundable fee. Requirements: 18 or older, valid New Jersey driver's license with the address matching the mailing address, resident of Monmouth or Ocean County, high school diploma, GED or associate degree or higher, one year of high school algebra at 75% or better (or equivalent), qualifying aptitude test score. 3301 State Highway 138, Wall, NJ 07719, (732) 280-7703.
College details are from the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator (nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator), as exported in July 2026; apprenticeship sponsors are from apprenticeship.gov as of 2026-09-09. Program links were checked on 2026-09-16. Check all details directly with the school or sponsor before applying.
Neighbor States
Residents of New Jersey may also wish to review their options in New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
FAQs
How much do electricians earn in the state of New Jersey?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of New Jersey made an average of $73,430 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $39,690 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $121,540.
