O*Net projected an 11% job growth from 2020 to 2030 for electricians in New Hampshire.
Coupled with higher-than-average salaries, it’s no wonder many young individuals want to pursue electrical careers.
So if you’re one of them, here’s how you can become a licensed electrician in New Hampshire.
Page Navigation
- Potential Salary
- How to Become a Licensed Electrician in New Hampshire
- Electrical Training Programs and Schools in New Hampshire
- Electrician Schools by City
Potential Salary
As of May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provided the following salary information for New Hampshire electricians:
Mean Wage:
- Annually – $58,880
- Hourly – $28.31
| Percentile | Average Annual Wage |
| 10% | $37,490 |
| 25% | $47,140 |
| 50% | $59,820 |
| 75% | $73,060 |
| 90% | $78,540 |
Annual Salary Range:
Average Salary of Electricians in New Hampshire
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Manchester | $50,636 |
| Nashua | $51,979 |
| Concord | $49,485 |
| Derry | $51,251 |
| Rochester | $48,900 |
| Salem | $50,828 |
| Dover | $49,102 |
| Merrimack | $51,979 |
| Londonderry | $51,979 |
| Hudson | $51,979 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover-Durham, NH-ME | 320 | $53,940 | $25.93 | $76,270 | $37,070 |
| Manchester, NH | 690 | $59,060 | $28.4 | $78,310 | $37,370 |
| Portsmouth, NH-ME | 560 | $59,560 | $28.64 | $78,120 | $42,430 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
How to Become a Licensed Electrician in New Hampshire
The NH Board of Electricians regulates and issues the licenses of the following electricians:
- Apprentice electrician
- High/medium voltage trainee
- Journeyman electrician
- Master electrician
- High/medium voltage electrician
Becoming an Apprentice Electrician / High/Medium Voltage Trainee
Qualifications
To qualify, you must meet the following:
- Must be at least 16 years old for high school students or 18 years old for high school graduates
- Holds a high school diploma or GED equivalent, except for students registered in a youth apprenticeship program for high school students
State Registration Application
To apply, you must submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Application fee – $30
- 3 references from people who can vouch for your professional character (must not be a relative)
- A copy of your photo taken within 6 months before the application
Once you’re registered, the Board will issue you an apprentice ID card.
As long as the card is valid, you must complete at least 150 hours of class training every year until you become a journeyman.
State Registration Renewal
Your ID card will expire after 12 months.
To renew it, you must complete the renewal application online along with the following:
- Renewal fee – $30
- Proof of completing 30 hours of approved continuing education courses
Becoming a Journeyman Electrician
Qualifications
To qualify, you must meet the following:
- At least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training
- Successfully pass the required exam
License Application
To apply, you must submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Application fee – $50
- License fee – $150
- Documentation of work experience
- Employment certification from previous and current employers
- A copy of your photo taken within 6 months before the application
Exam Details
The Board has contracted with Prov, Inc. to help administer the exams.
Here are the details for the journeyman exam:
- Exam fee – $80
- Type of exam – open book
- No. of questions – 110 items covering these topics:
- General electrical knowledge
- Equipment for general use
- Motors and generators
- Control devices
- Special conditions
- Special equipment
- Special occupancies
- Services and service equipment
- Branch circuits and conductors
- Feeders
- Wiring methods and materials
- Administrative
- Duration – 4.5 hours
- Passing rate – 70%
License Renewal
Your license will expire after 3 years.
To renew, you must complete the renewal application online along with the following:
- Renewal fee – $150
- Proof of completing 15 hours of approved CE courses
Becoming a Master Electrician
Qualifications
To qualify, you must meet the following:
- At least 2,000 hours of experience as a licensed journeyman electrician
- Successfully pass the required exam
License Application
To apply, you must submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Application fee – $50
- License fee – $270
- Documentation of work experience
- Employment certification from previous and current employers
- A copy of your photo taken within 6 months before the application
Exam Details
Here are the details for the master electrician exam:
- Exam fee – $80
- Type of exam – open book
- No. of questions – 125 items covering these topics:
- General electrical knowledge
- Equipment for general use
- Motors and generators
- Control devices
- Special conditions
- Special equipment
- Special occupancies
- Services and service equipment
- Branch circuits and conductors
- Feeders
- Wiring methods and materials
- Administrative
- Duration – 5 hours
- Passing rate – 70%
License Renewal
Your license will expire after 3 years.
To renew, you must complete the renewal application online along with the following:
- Renewal fee – $270
- Proof of completing 15 hours of approved CE courses
Becoming a High/Medium Voltage Electrician
Qualifications
To qualify, you must meet the following:
- Complete a state, national, or employer certification program approved by the Board
- Before January 1, 2003 only – at least 5 years of experience as a high/medium voltage electrician at a company offering an approved training program
License Application
To apply, you must submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Application fee – $50
- License fee – $270
- Proof of completing an approved certification program
- Documentation of work experience
- Employment certification from previous and current employers
- A copy of your photo taken within 6 months before the application
Exam Details
No exam required.
License Renewal
Your license will expire after 3 years.
To renew, you must complete the renewal application online along with the following:
- Renewal fee – $270
- Proof of completing 15 hours of approved CE courses
Electrical Training Programs and Schools in New Hampshire
Electrical education and training can be obtained in two ways:
- Enrolling in vocational schools
- Applying to sponsored apprenticeship programs
Vocational Schools
By enrolling in a vocational school, you can earn an associate’s degree which can help you…
- Get a faster placement when applying for an apprenticeship
- Find entry-level work as an electrical technician
Your classes will include the following:
- Electrical fundamentals
- Power, transformers, and rotating machinery
- Residential/commercial/industrial wiring
- Electrical motor controls
- Low voltage (communications) systems
- Advanced control systems
Apprenticeship Programs
This is the easiest way to get trade training and prepare for the journeyman exam.
Union apprenticeships are available through the NH Joint Apprentice and Training Committee.
However, if you prefer a non-union apprenticeship, reach out to the NH Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
The association will then link you to a contracting company that’s willing to take an apprentice.
The table below lists some of the schools and associations offering approved electrical programs.
5 Electrician Schools in New Hampshire
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| JATC of Concord | 48 Airport Road Concord, NH 03301 |
| Lakes Region Community College | 379 Belmont Rd. Laconia, NH |
| Manchester Community College | 1066 – 1070 Front St. Manchester, NH |
| New Hampshire Technology Institute in Concord | 31 College Drive Concord, NH 03301 |
| The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades | 7 Perimeter Road Manchester, NH 03103 |
Electrician Schools by City
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