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 2020, 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 2030, 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 2020, 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.
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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
- Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division
- Edison-New Brunswick, NJ Metropolitan Division
- New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division
- Newark-Union, NJ-PA Metropolitan Division
Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division Area
99 Erial Road, Blackwood, New Jersey 08012
(856) 232-0310
Electrician – Certificate Program
Pennco Tech’s Certificate-level Electrician program is offered at their Blackwood campus in Blackwood in Camden County, NJ. This private, for-profit college has in the order of 1,172 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Tuition fees for the Electrician program are around $16,527 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,170. The typical program completion time is 6 months.
Edison-New Brunswick, NJ Metropolitan Division Area
5000 Hadley Road, South Plainfield, New Jersey 07080
(908) 222-9300 x121
Electrician – Certificate Program
Everest Institute’s Certificate program in Electrician is offered at their South Plainfield campus in South Plainfield in Middlesex County, NJ. This private, not-for-profit college has in the order of 374 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Tuition fees for the Electrician program are generally around $13,753 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $2,558. Usually, the program is completed in 9 months.
New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division Area
200A Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601-6637
(201) 343-6000 x2288
Electrical Technology – Certificate Program
The Certificate program in Electrical Technology at Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS can be taken at their campus in Hackensack in Bergen County, NJ. The college has in the order of 82 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. Tuition fees for the Electrical Technology program are around $11,700 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $373. Usually, the program is completed in 12 months.
634 Market Street, Paterson, New Jersey 07513
(973) 742-0009
Electrician Apprenticeship – Certificate Program
Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences’s Certificate-level Electrician Apprenticeship program is offered at their campus in Paterson in Passaic County. The college has about 201 students in total, with most students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Tuition fees for the Electrician Apprenticeship program are usually around $17,560 yearly. Study materials can cost about $600. Typically, the program is completed in 9 months.
70 McKee Dr, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430
(201) 529-1414 x41400
Electrical / Electronics – Certificate Program
Lincoln Technical Institute’s Certificate program in Electrical / Electronics is offered at their Mahwah campus in Mahwah in Bergen County. This private, for-profit college has about 822 students in total, with most students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is over 80%. Tuition fees for the Electrical / Electronics program are usually around $22,692 yearly. Study materials can cost about $1,425. Typically, the program is completed in 13 months.
Newark-Union, NJ-PA Metropolitan Division Area
2299 Vauxhall Rd, Union, New Jersey 07083
(908) 964-7800 x40500
Electrical / Electronics – Certificate Program
The Certificate program in Electrical / Electronics at Lincoln Technical Institute can be taken at their Union campus in Union in Union County, NJ. The college has round 1,157 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. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is over 80%. Tuition fees for the Electrical / Electronics program are around $21,900 yearly. Study materials can cost roughly $1,425. Typically, the program is completed in 13 months.
1776 Raritan Rd, Scotch Plains, New Jersey 07076
(908) 889-8288 x300
Electrical – Certificate Program
The Certificate program in Electrical at Union County Vocational Technical School is offered at their campus in Scotch Plains in Union County, New Jersey. The college has round 86 students in total, with most students on programs that last under 2 years. The college is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. Tuition fees for the Electrical program are around $5,500 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $440. The typical program completion time is 12 months.
* 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 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.
