Becoming an Electrician in Nevada

Nevada has an abundance of opportunities for electricians to thrive in their career field, work different jobs in the industry and earn higher salaries. Regulations and policies are handled by city rather than the state as a whole. However, electrical contractors are regulated by the Nevada State Contracting Board (NSCB). [En Español]

In Nevada, electricians must start their careers with an apprenticeship, though requirements vary by jurisdiction. After completing an apprenticeship, Nevada residents can become residential electricians or journeyman electricians. They then have the option to obtain an electrical contractor license. Unlike in other states, most Nevada electricians choose to become electrical contractors rather than master electricians.

Job Outlook in Nevada

According to the 2014 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 5,120 employed electricians in Nevada at that time. There is a projected employment increase of 47 percent by 2024, adding over 2,000 more positions for electricians in the state. The rise in electrician jobs in the state is much higher than the national average, which suggests that Nevada is an excellent place for work opportunities.

The average salary for electricians in Nevada as of May 2017 was $62,210 a year. Electricians could earn up to $90,140 a year. More specifically, electrical repairers and installers for industrial and commercial equipment in the top 10 percentile earned over $100,000 in 2017. There is a wide range of salaries depending on the specificity of the job and how much experience the electrician has.

Salaries in Nevada 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	7,750	$29.07	$60,460	$42,760	$45,970	$84,240	$112,920
Helpers--Electricians	360	$24.89	$51,760	$36,470	$45,050	$67,320	$81,240
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	40	$45.20	$94,020	$63,300	$75,880	$95,340	$95,340
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	430	$36.59	$76,110	$37,860	$69,720	$76,110	$94,620
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	90	$31.00	$64,480	$50,110	$55,230	$118,150	$136,050
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	1,080	$32.20	$66,980	$19,760	$30,460	$107,930	$116,760

Electrician Salaries in Nevada 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
Carson City, NV	160	$27.84	$57,910	$21.53	$22.51	$37.41	$50.03
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	5,080	$29.08	$60,480	$19.77	$21.97	$41.64	$54.83
Reno, NV	1,310	$29.00	$60,320	$21.50	$22.28	$37.20	$47.65

Electrician Requirements in Nevada

The first step in an electrician’s career in Nevada is obtaining an apprenticeship, which requires a minimum of 8,000 hours of training. In Reno, electricians must obtain an Apprentice Electrical Certificate, while journeyman certificates are issued by the International Code Council (ICC). Residential journeymen in Reno need 6,000 hours of experience, while journeyman electricians require 8,000 hours. In Clark County, electrical licenses are granted based solely on exam scores.

Electricians working on public structures must be certified by the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) as electrical contractors. To qualify for NSCB certification, electricians must have at least four years of experience after completing their apprenticeship. Once qualified, they can apply for electrical contractor licensing and take the NSCB exam.

Electrician Training in Nevada

An apprenticeship in Nevada can be union-sponsored or unaffiliated. There are two union-sponsored apprenticeships in the state: Las Vegas for southern Nevada residents and a northern Nevada program in Reno. Individuals must be able to pass an aptitude test, a drug test and an algebra test to start an apprenticeship.

• Great Basin College. Students at Great Basin College have the opportunity to earn a certificate or associate’s degree in electrical systems. Those who receive their certificate of achievement are strongly encouraged to get their associate’s degree, since the majority of the work is done during the certificate completion.
• College of Southern Nevada (CSN). CSN offers an associate’s degree in engineering technology with an emphasis on electronic technology, biomedical equipment or defense contractor technology. There are two locations in Las Vegas and one in Henderson that offer CSN’s programs.

Where to Find Work in Nevada

The best job opportunities for electricians in Nevada come after obtaining an electrical contractor license. Electricians can find work as contractors for the government, power companies, and public projects, among other sectors. Employment opportunities for electricians in the state are growing rapidly, as shown by employment projections. Regardless of career level, electricians in Nevada can expect competitive pay across all positions.

College Programs

• Las Vegas-Paradise, NV
• Other Nevada Nonmetropolitan Area
• Reno-Sparks, NV

Las Vegas-Paradise, NV Area

5150 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89118-1519
(702) 658-7900
Electrical Technician – Certificate Program

Advanced Training Institute’s Certificate program in Electrical Technician is based at their campus in the city of Las Vegas, NV. The majority of of the school’s 505 students are on diploma programs of under two years. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is around $600 and for out-of-state students around $970 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,625, depending on the program.

6375 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89146-1164
(702) 651-5000
Engineering Technology: Utilities-Electrical Power, AAS

College of Southern Nevada offers various Associate program options for future professionals, an Associate program and a Certificate program. All programs are taught at their campus in the city of Las Vegas. The college has in the order of 33,313 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Fees for tuition for in-state students are in the order of $3,285 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $10,063 yearly, while study materials may cost about $1,061, depending on the program.

Other Nevada Nonmetropolitan Area Area

1500 College Parkway, Elko, Nevada 89801
(775) 738-8493
Electrical Systems Technology – Certificate Program

Great Basin College’s Certificate program in Electrical Systems Technology is based at their campus in the town of Elko, NV. This is a full, 4-year public college with 3,149 students, of which 99% are undergraduates. The college is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Fees for tuition for in-state students are likely to be in the order of $3,015 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $9,793 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $1,670, although this varies from program to program.

Reno-Sparks, NV Area

7000 Dandini Blvd, Reno, Nevada 89512-3999
(775) 673-7000
Industrial Electricity – Certificate Program

Truckee Meadows Community College’s Certificate program in Industrial Electricity is based at their campus in the city of Reno, Nevada. The college has in the region of 11,085 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Fees for tuition for in-state students are likely to be in the order of $3,075 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $9,853 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $1,200, 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

See also the neighbor states of California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Arizona.

FAQs

How much do electricians earn in the state of Nevada?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of Nevada made an average of $64,890 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $37,560 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $97,280.