Becoming an electrician in Indiana will give you the financial stability and job opportunities you might be seeking.
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Job Outlook
Electrical jobs will see a 14.6% increase over the next 6 years, as stated by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
On average, electricians from Indiana earn $46,848 per year and the best-paid ones $53,383 per year.
By contrast, these salaries are a bit higher at a national level, with the median one being $47,951 per year, and the highest being $54,640 per year.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Electricians in Indiana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $46,622 |
| Fort Wayne | $44,638 |
| Evansville | $45,131 |
| South Bend | $44,642 |
| Carmel | $46,565 |
| Fishers | $44,306 |
| Bloomington | $44,169 |
| Hammond | $47,759 |
| Gary | $47,759 |
| Lafayette | $46,335 |
Earning your Certification
To become a certified electrician, you need to follow some steps:
- Train to become a journeyman
- Pass the journeyman test
- Get a Master Electrician license in your region
- Become a certified electrical contractor
Train to become a journeyman
Although regulations in Indiana vary based on the area, typically you will need 4 years of job experience along 150 class hours each year to become a journeyman.
- Indianapolis – 6 years practical experience or 4 years of practical experience with the required college classes
- Allen County – 4 years practical experience (up to 2 years can be replaced by a diploma in electrical technology)
- St Joseph County/South Bend – 4 years practical experience
- Evansville – 4 years of practical experience
Vocational schools
Attending a vocational school is the easiest option which provides you with the required classroom time and practical experience.
After finishing the program, you can get a diploma in electrical technology.
You can also find training and employment options by attending a union or non-union program.
18 Electrician Schools in Indiana
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| AC/C TECH | 4415 Forest Manor Ave., Indianapolis, IN |
| Central Indiana IEC | 10640 Deme Drive Indianapolis, IN 46236 |
| Electrical Training Institute | 1751 South Lawndale Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46241 |
| JATC of Evansville | 1321 Edgar Street, Evansville, IN 47710 |
| JATC of Kokomo | 2739 North 50 East Kokomo, IN 46901 |
| JATC of Fort Wayne | 138 Chambeau Road, Ft. Wayne, IN 46805 |
| JATC of Lafayette | 2953 South Creasy Lane Lafayette, IN 47903 |
| JATC of Lake County | 7200 Mississippi Street Merrillville, IN 46410 |
| The Electrical Training Institute — JATC of Indianapolis | 1751 South Lawndale Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46241 |
| JATC of Northern Indiana | 301 East 8th Street Michigan City, IN 46360 |
| IEC of Greater Cincinnati | 586 Kings Run Drive Cincinnati, OH 45232 |
| Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter | 1810 Plantside Drive Louisville, KY 40299 |
| Midwest IEC | 371 Kairns Drive Crown Point, IN 46307 |
| Southern Indiana Chapter | 4300 Highway 68 Poseyville, IN 47633 |
| JATC of the South Bend Vicinity | 56365 Peppermint Road South Bend, IN 46619 |
| JATC of Terre Haute | 950 Ohio Street Terre Haute, IN 47807 |
| JATC of Muncie | 4601 South Meeker Avenue Muncie, IN 47302 |
| Vincennes University | 1002 North First Street, Vincennes, IN 47591 |
Union Apprenticeships
These are managed by the Electrical Training Alliance, a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
These programs are available at the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) offices, which you can find on the list of schools above, and are typically the same in every state.
To join a JATC program, you must:
- Be 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma/GED
- Be able to drive
- Take a general aptitude exam
- Reside in the jurisdiction of the JATC you applied to
Non-Union Apprenticeships
These programs entail training under a non-union contractor, and we included some on the list of schools.
Pass the Journeyman Test
The journeyman certification is required if you later want to become a master electrician.
Indianapolis
In this region, journeyman certifications are called residential electrician licenses.
Having one allows you to perform electrical work in one- or two-family homes under the supervision of a master electrician.
The certifications are released by the Indianapolis Department of Code Enforcement, and the exam entails:
- An electrical exam form
- Notarized letter from an employee proving six years of experience (a 2-year degree could count towards the total)
- Three signed customer reference letter
- Photocopy of your driver’s license
- Photocopies of your current licenses, certificates, and diplomas
The exam topics usually cover:
- Services and Service Equipment
- Wiring Methods and Materials
- Equipment and Devices
- Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions
- General Knowledge
The tests last for 3 to 4 hours, have between 80 and 100 multiple choice questions, and allow using a manual.
The certification needs to be renewed once at 24 months and no extra education is required.
Fort Wayne/Allen County
The Journeyman electrician licenses in this county allow you to perform work on private and commercial properties.
While doing so, you must be overseen by a master electrician.
To get the license, you must have 8,000 hours and 4 years of practice.
The certifications are released by the Allen County Building Department, and the exam topics cover:
- Services and Service Equipment
- Wiring Methods and Materials
- Equipment and Devices
- Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions
- General Knowledge
The tests last for 3 to 4 hours, have between 80 and 100 multiple choice questions, and allow using a manual.
You must have a score of at least 70% to get your certification, which needs to be renewed annually or you will have to retake the test.
There are no other education requirements, however, local unions might have their own requirements.
South Bend
In this area, you can receive an industrial electrical license which allows you to work on industrial sites.
The certification requires 4 years of practice along with a resume and letters of recommendation.
South bend doesn’t recognize the time spent as an apprentice for this license.
The South Bend Building Department issues the licenses and organizes the electrical exam.
The certifications need an annual renewal and no extra education is required, however, local unions might have their own requirements.
Evansville
A journeyman electrician license allows you to work under the employment of master electrician.
You are required to have an experience of 4 years and bring notarized reference letters.
The journeyman electrical exam is organized by the Vanderburgh County Building Commission, who also issues the licenses.
The test has a duration of 3 hours, allows you to bring a manual and has 80 multiple-choice questions.
You will need a score of at least 70% to get the license.
The test covers subjects as:
- General Electrical Knowledge – 10%
- Wiring and Protection – 25%
- Wiring Methods and Materials – 20%
- Equipment for General Use – 20%
- Special Occupancies – 10%
- Special Equipment – 5%
- Special Conditions – 5%
- Communication Systems – 5%
The certifications need an annual renewal and no extra education is required, however, local unions might have their own requirements.
Get a Master Electrician license in your region
A master electrician certificate allows you to work on private properties.
Indianapolis
In this area, you will be able to hire residential electricians after becoming a master electrician.
The requirements are as follows:
- An electrical exam form
- Notarized letter from an employee proving six years of experience (a 2-year degree could count towards the total)
- Three signed customer reference letter
- Photocopy of your driver’s license
- Photocopies of your current licenses, certificates, and diplomas
The topics of the exam cover:
- Services and Service Equipment
- Wiring Methods and Materials
- Equipment and Devices
- Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions
- General Knowledge
The tests last for 3 to 4 hours, have between 80 and 100 multiple choice questions, and allow using a manual.
The certifications need a 24-month renewal and no extra education is required, however, local unions might have their own requirements.
Fort Wayne
In order to get the master electrician certification, you need:
- Have an 8-year experience doing electrical work
- 4 years of experience as a journeyman
The exam is managed by the Allen County Building Department and covers:
- Services and Service Equipment
- Wiring Methods and Materials
- Equipment and Devices
- Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions
- General Knowledge
The tests last for 3 to 4 hours, have between 80 and 100 multiple choice questions, and allow using a manual.
You will need a score of at least 70% to get the license.
The certification needs an annual renewal and no extra education is required, however, local unions might have their own requirements.
South Bend
This region only provides electrical contractor licenses.
Evansville
With a master electrician license, you can perform work as an electrical contractor.
To get this certification, you need 4 years of experience, notarized reference letters and liability insurance for your business.
The master electrical exam is organized by the Vanderburgh County Building Commission.
It has 100 multiple choice questions, lasts for 4 hours, and allows using a manual.
You will need a score of at least 75% to get the certification.
The topics of the test cover:
- General Electrical Knowledge – 10%
- Wiring and Protection – 25%
- Wiring Methods and Materials – 20%
- Equipment for General Use – 20%
- Special Occupancies – 10%
- Special Equipment – 5%
- Special Conditions – 5%
- Communication Systems – 5%
The certification needs an annual renewal and no extra education is required, however, local unions might have their own requirements.
Become a Certified Electrical Contractor
You will need an electrical contractor license in order to have your own company and hire other electricians.
Indianapolis
Beside the master electrician license, you also need:
- General liability insurance with $500,000 in case of getting hurt, and $100,000 in case of property damage
- Worker’s compensation insurance if you hired other electricians
- A $10,000 surety bond or bond continuation certificate
Fort Wayne
You will need a specific electrical contractor license, but no insurance requirements are available.
South Bend
You need an electrical contractor license for which 4 years of experience along with a resume and letters of recommendation.
South bend doesn’t recognize the time spent as an apprentice for this license.
The South Bend Building Department issues the licenses and organizes the electrical exam.
The certifications need an annual renewal and no extra education is required, however, local unions might have their own requirements.
A $5,000 surety bond over 12 months is also required.
Beside the master electrician license, you will need the following insurance:
- A $1 million General liability insurance
- Worker’s compensation insurance
- A $15,000 surety bond
Statewide
The Secretary of State must register your corporation if it applies.
Electrician Schools by City
