How to Become an Electrician in South Carolina
Growth in careers for electricians in South Carolina is strong, which makes it a great option for young people considering their futures. Training to become an electrician in the state takes just a few years, and the rewards are great job opportunities and salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs for electricians in South Carolina is growing by 13 percent over the next several years. [En Español]
South Carolina Electrical License Requirements
In South Carolina, licensing of journeymen and master electricians is regulated by the Municipal Association of South Carolina. The licenses include master and master residential, as well as journeyman and journeyman residential. The residential licenses limit work to residential buildings. Electricians who want to become licensed as independent contractors can do so through the state’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation.
To become licensed as a journeyman electrician in the state you must have either two years of work experience under a licensed electrician or a two-year degree in a related subject plus one year of work experience. To qualify for licensing as a master electrician, you must have four years of work experience as a journeyman. Each level also requires a passing score on an appropriate test. There are also specific exams for electricians seeking a contractor’s license.
Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in South Carolina
There are two ways to prepare to qualify for journeyman licensing in the state. The first is to complete an apprenticeship program, which may be union or non-union and which provides classroom learning as well as the required hours of on-the-job training. Union apprenticeship programs are affiliated with local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and are run through Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATC). In South Carolina, there is the Charleston JATC.
Non-union apprenticeships are also available across the state. Some electrical contracting companies offer full programs that include coursework and on-the-job training. To enroll, you typically must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma with one year of algebra or a GED, have reliable transportation, and pass an aptitude test.
South Carolina Schools for Electricians
There are not a lot of apprenticeship programs in the state, but another option for becoming an electrician is to earn a post-secondary degree and to apply that to the work experience requirement for journeyman licensing. Some of these programs also offer apprenticeship positions, but in some cases students are responsible for finding an electrician to work with for hands-on training hours.
- Trident Technical College, Charleston. Trident Tech offers students a few options for two-year degree programs that can count as one year of the required hours for licensing. The associate degree programs are in industrial electrician, construction electrician, automated controls electrician, and automated and industrial electrician.
- Piedmont Technical College, Greenwood. At the Greenwood campus of Piedmont, students can earn a two-year degree in electronic engineering technology to continue on with an apprenticeship or to seek entry-level work as a technician.
- Midlands Technical College, Columbia. Midlands also offers students an associate degree in electronics engineering technology. Students get a combination of theoretical learning and practical, hands-on learning that prepares them to succeed in an electrician apprenticeship.
Outlook and Salary Expectations
Growth in jobs for electricians is strong in South Carolina and the outlook is positive. While the BLS reports that there were 10,730 electricians working there in 2023, there are expected to be 12,080 employed by 2033. If you are training now or learning in one of the electrician schools in the state, you could be one of the licensed professionals to fill those positions.
You can also expect to earn a good living doing this job. In 2024 in South Carolina, the average annual salary for electricians was $51,950. The top 10 percent of earners that year were making over $74,520. You can also earn while you learn at the schools in South Carolina, as apprenticeship positions are paid.
Salaries in South Carolina 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 | 10,730 | $24.98 | $51,950 | $37,050 | $45,570 | $61,900 | $74,520 |
| Helpers--Electricians | 1,600 | $17.07 | $35,510 | $24,450 | $29,850 | $39,470 | $43,750 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | 610 | $31.20 | $64,890 | $41,600 | $54,640 | $74,230 | $80,090 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | 310 | $39.53 | $82,230 | $53,550 | $62,850 | $91,180 | $103,740 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 2,610 | $32.75 | $68,120 | $45,510 | $51,580 | $85,110 | $95,040 |
Electrician Salaries in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 730 | $22.90 | $47,630 | $17.13 | $18.41 | $25.63 | $31.03 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 1,070 | $31.56 | $65,650 | $18.18 | $23.06 | $38.47 | $38.47 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 6,130 | $25.15 | $52,320 | $18.84 | $23.33 | $29.11 | $32.06 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 2,140 | $26.26 | $54,630 | $17.88 | $21.79 | $29.70 | $35.51 |
| Columbia, SC | 1,510 | $27.88 | $57,990 | $17.92 | $22.26 | $35.09 | $35.09 |
| Florence, SC | 410 | $22.80 | $47,420 | $18.33 | $21.08 | $28.03 | $33.88 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 2,560 | $25.44 | $52,920 | $18.16 | $22.61 | $28.69 | $35.79 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 310 | $23.24 | $48,350 | $17.54 | $19.03 | $28.67 | $37.37 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 760 | $28.10 | $58,460 | $18.92 | $22.73 | $33.64 | $37.78 |
| Sumter, SC | 100 | $25.11 | $52,230 | $17.67 | $21.98 | $28.33 | $31.98 |
Working as an Electrician in South Carolina
The job outlook for licensed electricians in South Carolina is strong. With a few years of training, you can secure stable employment and various job opportunities. Journeymen electricians can work for electrical contractors, builders, development companies, government agencies, or manufacturing firms. Master electricians and contractors can start their own businesses and hire other professionals.
College Programs – Electrician Schools in South Carolina
6 South Carolina 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.
921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina 29901-1288
(800) 768-8252
Residential Electrician – Certificate Program
Technical College of the Lowcountry is a public 2-year institution in Beaufort, SC, with 2,349 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, Inc.. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $6,756 in-state and $11,916 out-of-state.
1201 Chesterfield Hwy., Cheraw, South Carolina 29520
(843) 921-6900
Electrician – Certificate Program
Northeastern Technical College is a public 2-year institution in Cheraw, SC, with 1,477 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $6,024 in-state and $6,024 out-of-state.
2050 Highway 501 East, Conway, South Carolina 29526
(843) 347-3186
Electrical Lineman Technician – Certificate Program
Horry-Georgetown Technical College is a public 2-year institution in Conway, SC, with 7,353 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $6,778 in-state and $10,978 out-of-state.
506 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, South Carolina 29606
(864) 250-8000
Electrical Training – Certificate Program
Greenville Technical College is a public 4-year institution in Greenville, SC, with 10,661 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $6,143 in-state and $10,775 out-of-state.
3250 Saint Matthews Rd, Orangeburg, South Carolina 29118-8299
(803) 536-0311
Industrial Electrician – Certificate Program
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a public 2-year institution in Orangeburg, SC, with 2,146 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $6,242 in-state and $8,354 out-of-state.
1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia, South Carolina 29170-2176
(803) 738-8324
Basic Electrical Wiring – Certificate Program, Electrical Engineering – Associate Program
Midlands Technical College is a public 2-year institution in West Columbia, SC, with 8,978 students (all undergraduate). It is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition and fees for 2024-2025 are $6,300 in-state and $14,700 out-of-state.
Registered electrical apprenticeship sponsors in South Carolina
Apprenticeship is how most South Carolina 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. The IEC South Carolina row is a registry entry only: IEC's own chapter directory lists no South Carolina chapter, the nearest being Greater Charlotte IEC in Indian Trail, NC, so ask the national IEC office before travelling to Duncan.
| Sponsor | City | Type | Registered since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Electrical Training Alliance | Charleston | IBEW/NECA JATC | 1946 |
| Independent Electrical Contractors South Carolina | Duncan | IEC chapter | 2020 |
How to apply to each South Carolina 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.
Charleston Electrical Training Alliance. Electrician apprenticeship run with IBEW Local 776 and the Atlantic Coast Chapter of NECA, founded 1946. How to apply: fill in the short form on the apprenticeship page and the application packet is emailed to you; submit the completed packet, and qualified applicants may be invited to an interview and a two-day introduction orientation before a first job placement. Requirements: 18 or older, valid state driver's license, Social Security card, high school diploma or GED (test scores with a GED), able to lift 75 pounds, able to communicate in written and spoken English, reliable transportation, full-time commitment; negative drug screen after acceptance. Cost: no tuition; apprentices pay for textbooks, online learning fees, safety boots and hand tools. Pay: the site quotes around $22 an hour in the first year and around $38 an hour in total compensation by the fourth year. 3350 Hill Park Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418 (the DOL file says Charleston), (843) 990-9984.
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 South Carolina may also wish to review their options in North Carolina and Georgia.
FAQs
How Do I Become a Licensed Electrician in South Carolina?
To work as an electrician in the state, you must be licensed through the Municipal Association of South Carolina. To become a licensed journeyman, you must have 4,000 hours of training under a licensed electrician. Alternatively, you can get 2,000 hours of training with a two-year technical degree.
How much do electricians earn in the state of South Carolina?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians in the state of South Carolina made an average of $46,920 per year in 2019. Entry-level electricians earned around $29,280 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $66,140.
