Becoming an Electrician in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania does not have a statewide regulation on becoming an electrician. Instead, each jurisdiction creates its own guidelines and rules. There are 2,562 municipalities in Pennsylvania and each has established its own licensure or certification requirements. Because of the variety of regulations, it is highly recommended to research your local area’s specific rules to find the most suitable electrician schools.[En Español]

Most people enter the electrical field as a helper or trainee, working under supervision until they qualify as a journeyman electrician. Once you they gain the necessary experience, they can take the licensing exam for a master or special electrician license. Some areas allow schooling to count toward required hours. Check local regulations, as requirements vary by municipality.

The Job Outlook in Pennsylvania

In 2023, there were 21,360 people working as electricians in Pennsylvania as detailed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment for electricians across the state is predicted to increase by 10 percent through the year 2033, which is higher than average among all occupations. Becoming an electrician is in demand, and it is estimated that approximately 2,500 more people will be hired in the field by 2033.

Electrician Salaries in Pennsylvania

The average annual salary for electricians in Pennsylvania is $75,770 (BLS May 2025 OEWS data). The top 10% earn $122,620 or more. Electricians who specialize as electrical power-line installers and repairers will usually make the highest salaries in this state.

Salaries in Pennsylvania 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	21,360	$31.59	$65,700	$43,690	$50,390	$88,850	$111,830
Helpers--Electricians	2,040	$20.63	$42,900	$30,950	$36,890	$46,860	$55,970
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	400	$29.72	$61,820	$43,580	$43,710	$79,670	$119,100
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	2,470	$31.20	$64,900	$41,600	$55,170	$74,530	$92,070
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	990	$41.55	$86,420	$57,270	$65,550	$102,230	$113,310
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	3,910	$48.44	$100,740	$54,700	$80,290	$104,850	$115,050

Electrician Salaries in Pennsylvania 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
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA	990	$27.49	$57,180	$16.63	$21.55	$35.09	$43.28
Altoona, PA	160	$27.65	$57,510	$17.59	$21.79	$30.82	$37.99
Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA	140	$28.34	$58,950	$18.87	$22.14	$31.25	$39.13
Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA	120	$30.17	$62,750	$18.64	$23.57	$36.22	$45.18
East Stroudsburg, PA	140	$28.57	$59,420	$18.61	$22.72	$31.77	$36.69
Erie, PA	440	$29.72	$61,810	$20.00	$22.73	$38.07	$39.27
Gettysburg, PA	110	$29.97	$62,350	$21.00	$23.60	$36.06	$47.42
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	1,040	$33.14	$68,920	$21.08	$24.35	$39.32	$47.32
Johnstown, PA	100	$26.66	$55,450	$20.56	$21.71	$34.10	$42.95
Lancaster, PA	980	$29.96	$62,310	$18.97	$23.65	$39.04	$47.21
Lebanon, PA	230	$29.34	$61,020	$19.38	$23.09	$38.62	$47.14
Pittsburgh, PA	4,610	$31.20	$64,900	$19.99	$23.72	$42.61	$48.32
Reading, PA	940	$35.39	$73,610	$21.96	$25.12	$42.61	$46.33
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA	1,070	$35.11	$73,030	$19.71	$23.94	$45.22	$49.38
State College, PA	180	$29.18	$60,700	$20.37	$23.44	$35.25	$51.56
Williamsport, PA	200	$28.40	$59,080	$20.69	$23.31	$35.00	$43.58
York-Hanover, PA	900	$30.55	$63,530	$20.91	$23.74	$39.67	$56.63

Electrical Apprenticeship Programs in Pennsylvania

To become an electrical apprentice in Pennsylvania, you have two choices: apply to a union program or apply to a non-union program. Non-union apprenticeships are available through Pennsylvania chapters of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC).

The Pennsylvania IEC program is four years of paid training. Apprentices work and train during the day and attend classes two nights per week. Several regional chapters give you options, including central, northeast and northwest areas. You do have to pay tuition for classes.

ABC has eastern and western chapters in the state offering four-year apprenticeship programs. Like IEC programs, they include daytime training and two evenings of classes per week. However, the ABC program also offers an alternative: one full day of classes with on-the-job training on the other days. ABC apprenticeships require tuition payment, about $2,400 per year.

For union apprenticeships, look for local JATCs (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee). These are training programs offered through a joint trust between the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Union programs are usually more difficult to get into but offer more stability in wages and benefits. Some local Pennsylvania JATCs include:

• IBEW Local 5 Pittsburgh
• IBEW 743 Eastern Pennsylvania
• IBEW 712 Western Central Pennsylvania Electricians’ Training Center

Electrician Training Programs in Pennsylvania

Training to become an electrician in Pennsylvania is usually completed through hands-on apprenticeships via unions and/or non-union employers. The state has a Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program that offers funding to support registered apprenticeship programs to help employers recruit and develop talent within Pennsylvania. It is also possible to attend college or a trade school to reduce the amount of experience one needs to sit for the licensing examination. The state encourages schools and community organizations to create pre-apprenticeship programs to prepare students for careers in this field via grant funding.

• Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). Located in Pittsburgh, PA, CCAC is one of seven Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium (RACC) schools located in Pennsylvania. They offer a certification program in electrical distribution as well as an Associate of Science degree.
• Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (TSCT). Another of the seven RACC schools in Pennsylvania is TSCT. Located in Lancaster, this program offers coursework for a Construction Electrician certificate. This program helps prepare students with the skills to be employed as residential, commercial and industrial construction electricians.
• Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (PHCC). Located in Johnstown, PHCC offers a two-year program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electric Utility Technology. Their coursework combines classroom learning with hands-on training. The program is in partnership with FirstEnergy’s Power Systems Institute (PSI) and is another of the seven RACC schools in the state.

Where to Find Work in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is expected to see strong growth in the electrician field over the next decade. This makes a career in the electrician field a good option with job security and a good income. Most electricians in the state work under independent contractors or construction companies. Licensed electricians can also secure government contracts or start their own businesses. In some areas, unlicensed electricians can work on government contracts under licensed Pennsylvania electricians.

College Listings

Neighbor States

See also the neighbor states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio.

More Electrician Training in Pennsylvania

• The 3 Best Electrician Programs in Philadelphia
• Where Can I Study To Become An Electrician In Pittsburgh?
• Studying Electrical Technology at Pennsylvania College of Technology