Becoming an Electrician in Virginia
Virginia has statewide regulation on becoming a licensed electrician that is structured by the Virginia Works and the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Generally, a person starts their journey as a registered apprentice through Virginia Works and then, once they meet the requirements (a minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training and at least 144 hours of technical instruction at relevant electrician schools in Virginia each year), they are able to continue on to become a licensed journeyman and eventually a master electrician through the DPOR. [En Español]
The Job Outlook in Virginia
In 2018, there were 17,040 people working as electricians throughout the state, as detailed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment for electricians in Virginia is predicted to increase by 8 percent up until 2032, which is higher than average across all occupations. Becoming a licensed electrician is in high demand, and it is estimated that approximately 2,200 more people in Virginia will be hired in the industry by 2032.
Electrician Salaries in Virginia
The average annual salary for electricians in Virginia is $67,850 (BLS May 2025 OEWS data). The top 10% earn $105,720 or more. Those who specialize in the electrical and electronics repair, powerhouse, substation and relay sub-fields have the best opportunity for having the highest wages in the state, with a mean annual wage of $91,040 (BLS May 2025 OEWS data).
Salaries in Virginia 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 | 20,260 | $29.00 | $60,320 | $38,060 | $48,390 | $76,640 | $105,160 |
| Helpers--Electricians | 2,750 | $17.86 | $37,160 | $29,510 | $32,850 | $45,030 | $51,780 |
| Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | 440 | $38.29 | $79,640 | $44,730 | $66,870 | $80,770 | $95,350 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | 1,620 | $30.79 | $64,040 | $49,180 | $56,260 | $76,120 | $80,600 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | 960 | $46.33 | $96,360 | $52,670 | $67,750 | $100,710 | $104,470 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 3,200 | $35.67 | $74,190 | $46,400 | $56,230 | $96,400 | $103,230 |
Electrician Salaries in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 13,830 | $40.48 | $84,200 | $27.03 | $30.08 | $51.35 | $55.89 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 4,790 | $29.19 | $60,710 | $19.29 | $23.74 | $40.17 | $48.41 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 550 | $40.00 | $83,190 | $23.86 | $31.87 | $43.59 | $44.43 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 180 | $36.52 | $75,960 | $23.39 | $29.88 | $46.25 | $46.25 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 760 | $40.04 | $83,280 | $26.87 | $28.80 | $46.42 | $48.32 |
| Richmond, VA | 3,700 | $37.61 | $78,220 | $24.08 | $30.14 | $46.84 | $51.22 |
| Roanoke, VA | 680 | $31.38 | $65,270 | $19.98 | $25.14 | $48.03 | $48.39 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 210 | $35.65 | $74,140 | $18.82 | $25.11 | $44.95 | $46.67 |
Electrical Apprenticeship Programs in Virginia
Becoming an electrician in Virginia means first going through an apprenticeship. Apprentices learn to be electricians through a combination of classroom work and on-the-job training. They earn a salary while learning from master electricians.
In Virginia, you can choose between union and non-union apprenticeships to begin your career. Union programs are part of the joint trust between the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The NECA-IBEW guides union electrician training through Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) throughout the country.
JATCs are run through local unions. Virginia has two JATCs for aspiring electricians. Washington, D.C., is also home to a JATC for Virginia residents in the area:
- Hampton Roads JATC – IBEW Local 1340 in Newport News
- Richmond JATC – IBEW Local 666 in Richmond
- Washington, D.C. JATC – IBEW Local 26
Admittance to union programs can be competitive. The benefits of a union program are that you get stability in terms of finding a job, salary and benefits. You do have to become a paying member of the IBEW to be a union apprentice.
If you prefer to train with a non-union organization, options include the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC). There is one of each program available for Virginia residents:
- IEC Chesapeake in Dulles
- ABC Virginia in Dulles
Training to become an electrician in Virginia is usually completed through apprenticeships via unions, non-union employers and training programs. The United States Department of Labor -Employment and Training Administration keeps a list of Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium (RACC) members that are part of a network of apprenticeship programs and colleges that work together to provide individuals with college-to-career transition assistance. Virginia has 13 colleges registered to the RACC. It is also possible to attend college or a trade school to reduce the amount of experience one needs to sit for the examination to become a master or special electrician.
Electrician Training Programs in Virginia
- ECPI University. East Coast Polytechnic Institute (ECPI) University is located in highly desirable Virginia Beach. They offer multiple training programs related to electricity and electronics. They offer a bachelor degree program in Electronic Systems Engineering Technology, as well as Electronics Engineering associate and bachelor degrees.
- J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Located in Richmond, VA, this school offers an Associate of Science degree in Engineering with an Electrical/Computer Engineering specialization. This program is designed for students who are planning to continue on to earn a four-year degree in electrical or computer engineering.
- Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). NOVA’s largest campus, located in Annandale, VA, offers an Engineering A.S. degree program with an Electrical Engineering specialization. This program is also offered at their Alexandria, Loudoun and Manassas campuses as well as through online learning.
Where to Find Work in Virginia
With the growth that is expected in Virginia over the next decade, it is a good choice to go into the electrical field. Becoming an electrician in Virginia comes with job security and a good income. You will usually find electrician apprentices in Virginia working for construction companies or under independent contractors. Licensed journeyman and master electricians can also be hired to work for the government on contracts. Many go on to work as independent contractors and open their own businesses.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Electrician programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Ridge Community CollegeWeyers Cave, VA(540) 234-9261One College Lane3,718 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,6462024-25 | $7,367 to $15,437by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Brightpoint Community CollegeChester, VA(804) 796-400013101 Route 19,023 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,0822024-25 | $4,203 to $11,264by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Central Virginia Community CollegeLynchburg, VA(434) 832-76003506 Wards Rd3,410 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,1572024-25 | $4,329 to $11,438by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Centura College-NorfolkNorfolk, VA(757) 853-21217020 North Military Highway193 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges | Private for-profit | $16,6372023-24 | $25,954 to $32,531by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Danville Community CollegeDanville, VA(434) 797-22221008 S Main St2,489 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,9922024-25 | $5,969 to $14,060by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Mountain Empire Community CollegeBig Stone Gap, VA(276) 523-24003441 Mountain Empire Road2,015 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,0072024-25 | $7,015 to $8,686by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Mountain Gateway Community CollegeClifton Forge, VA(540) 863-28001000 College Drive1,002 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,0222024-25 | $4,978 to $12,865by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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New River Community CollegeDublin, VA(540) 674-36005251 College Drive4,156 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,9792024-25 | $4,844 to $11,685by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Paul D Camp Community CollegeFranklin, VA(757) 569-6700100 N College Dr1,168 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,0122024-25 | $3,804 to $11,678by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Rappahannock Community CollegeGlenns, VA(804) 758-673012745 College Drive2,767 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,1022024-25 | $4,763 to $6,777by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Southside Virginia Community CollegeAlberta, VA(888) 220-7822109 Campus Drive3,258 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,0072024-25 | $5,274 to $7,153by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Southwest Virginia Community CollegeCedar Bluff, VA(276) 964-2555369 College Road US Rt. 19, 6 Miles S. Claypool Hill2,288 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,0752024-25 | $8,621 to $9,655by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk, VA(757) 822-1111121 College Place15,912 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,5882024-25 | $6,245 to $14,612by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAbingdon, VA(276) 739-2400100 VHCC Drive2,052 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,0222024-25 | $4,811 to $6,509by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Virginia Western Community CollegeRoanoke, VA(540) 857-89223094 Colonial Ave6,170 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,4002024-25 | $4,735 to $9,545by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Wytheville Community CollegeWytheville, VA(276) 223-47001000 E Main Street2,119 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,0072024-25 | $3,038 to $11,715by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed. Programs shown without a link were added from federal completions data: the school awarded this program in 2022-23 or 2023-24. We have not yet recorded its own page for the program.
Neighbor States
Residents of Virginia may also wish to review their options in Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.
More Electrician Training in Virginia
- How to Get on an Electrical Apprenticeship Program in Virginia
- The Best Electrician Diploma Programs in Virginia
- Studying Electrical Technology at Virginia Highlands Community College
