It seems the time is right for people to consider becoming electricians in Maryland.
According to O*Net, the state has projected a 15% job growth from 2020 to 2030, equivalent to an average of 2,200 job openings a year.
No wonder many young individuals push to pursue an electrical career.
If you’re one of them, here’s how you can become a licensed electrician in Maryland.
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Potential Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland electricians have the following salary information as of May 2021:
Mean Wage:
- Annually – $62,620
- Hourly – $30.11
| Percentile | Average Annual Wage |
| 10% | $37,180 |
| 25% | $47,260 |
| 50% | $60,250 |
| 75% | $77,470 |
| 90% | $98,070 |
Annual Salary Range:
Average Salary of Electricians in Maryland
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $49,293 |
| Frederick | $51,479 |
| Gaithersburg | $53,192 |
| Bowie | $53,224 |
| Rockville | $53,272 |
| Hagerstown | $48,657 |
| Annapolis | $50,792 |
| College Park | $53,336 |
| Salisbury | $51,104 |
| Cumberland | $44,000 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 5,840 | $65,390 | $31.44 | $100,160 | $36,600 |
| California-Lexington Park, MD | 190 | $61,250 | $29.45 | $91,320 | $34,550 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | 100 | $60,810 | $29.24 | $84,730 | $35,570 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 400 | $59,780 | $28.74 | $77,650 | $38,680 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | 600 | $51,470 | $24.75 | $75,600 | $35,730 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Maryland
Previously, the MD State Board of Electricians only regulates and issues licenses for master electricians, with the counties overseeing those for apprentices and journeymen.
But on July 1, 2021, the Board announced that they’ll issue the licenses for all levels, with the counties being responsible for their registration only.
In other words, to legally provide electrical work/services, you now must apply for a state-wide license.
However, many counties still have the power to issue lesser licenses, such as a “limited license” or a “restricted license.”
So if you want to obtain a lesser license, contact your local licensing board for the requirements and instructions.
Becoming an Apprentice Electrician
Qualifications
The Board has no requirement for you to receive an apprentice electrician license.
But if you want to receive a salary for applicable state and federal works, then you must be registered with the MD Apprenticeship and Training Council (MATC).
License Application
To apply, you must submit the following:
- Completed online apprentice license application
- Application fee – $10
License Renewal
Your license will expire two years from the date of issuance.
To renew, you must submit the following:
- Completed online renewal application
- Renewal fee – $10
Becoming a Journeyman Electrician
Qualifications
The Board gives you two options to obtain a journeyman electrician license:
- By examination
- At least 4 years of experience under the direct supervision of a master electrician
- Successfully pass the journeyman licensure exam
- By apprenticeship program
- Completed an apprenticeship program (consisting of 8,000 hours of experience and 576 hours of classroom instruction) approved by the MATC or the Federal Office of Apprenticeship (FOA)
If you go by licensure by apprenticeship program, the Board will waive the experience and examination requirements.
License Application
To apply, you must submit the following:
For licensure by examination
- Completed online journeyman license application
- License fee – $15
For licensure by apprenticeship program
- Completed online journeyman exam waiver application
- Copy of certificate of completion of the apprenticeship, which you’ll send via…
- Email to dloplmasterelectricians-labor@maryland.gov; OR,
- Mail to:
MD State Board of Electricians
1100 N. Eutaw Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
- License fee – $15
Exam Details
The Board has contracted with PSI to help administer the licensure exams.
- Exam fee – $65
- Content – 70 questions covering the following topics:
- Electrical theory
- Wiring and protection
- Wiring methods and materials
- Equipment for general use
- Special occupancies
- Special equipment
- Special communication
- Duration – 210 minutes
- Passing rate – 70%
- References you’re allowed to bring – NEC 2017
If you pass, the Board will send to you the registration number and personal identification number (PIN) that you’ll use to log in to the online application.
License Renewal
Your license will expire two years from the date of issuance.
To renew, you must submit the following:
- Completed online renewal application
- Renewal fee – $15
Becoming a Master Electrician
Qualifications
The Board will consider your application for the license if you…
- Have at least 7 years of experience under the direct supervision of a master electrician
- Can credit up to 3 years of experience if you completed a formal course or professional training in electrical installation
- Successfully pass the master electrician licensure exam
- Obtain liability insurance – $400,000 minimum per occurrence ($300,000 for general liability, $100,000 for property damage)
License Application
To apply, you must submit the following:
- Completed online master electrician license application
- Proof of insurance, which you’ll send via…
- Email to dloplmasterelectricians-labor@maryland.gov with the subject line: Application Documents – <Your Name>; OR,
- Mail to:
MD State Board of Electricians
1100 N. Eutaw Street
Room 121
Baltimore, MD 21201
- Proof of completing an electrical installation course or training, if applicable
- License fee – $20
Exam Details
- Exam fee – $65
- Content – 90 questions covering the following topics:
- Electrical theory
- Wiring and protection
- Wiring methods and materials
- Equipment for general use
- Special occupancies
- Special equipment
- Special communication
- Calculations
- Duration – 240 minutes
- Passing rate – 70%
- References you’re allowed to bring – NEC 2017
If you pass, the Board will send to you the registration number and personal identification number (PIN) that you’ll use to log in to the online application.
License Renewal
Your license will expire two years from the date of issuance.
To renew, you must submit the following:
- Completed online renewal application
- Renewal fee – $25
Electrical Training Programs and Schools in Maryland
To launch your electrical career, you must first receive proper trade education and training.
A technical school and an apprenticeship program can help equip you with the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this career.
Technical School
Technical schools help you earn a diploma, certificate, or degree.
Most of their programs are composed of classroom education and skills training in a shop setting.
You’ll develop skills related to…
- Residential wiring
- Commercial and industrial wiring
- NEC
- Low voltage wiring, maintenance, and repair
- Electrical theory
- Applied math
- Safety/CPR/first aid
- Transformers/generators
- Electrical motors
- Reading blueprints
- Tools, equipment, and instruments
- Cable installation/splicing installation, maintenance, and repair
Many schools will help you participate in on-the-job training with local electrical companies, which can potentially turn into permanent employment for you.
Apprenticeship Program
Many prefer to directly enter into an apprenticeship after high school to learn the trade.
To browse for available apprenticeship programs, the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program (MATP) might be a good place to start.
Usually, they’ll ask you to meet these requirements upon application:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Has a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Passing grades in algebra
- Physically fit
- Valid driver’s license and owns personal transportation
- Pass the aptitude test
- Pass the physical exam and drug test
The table below lists some of the schools and training centers offering approved electrician programs in Maryland.
15 Electrician Schools in Maryland
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| ABC Cumberland Valley Chapter | Hagerstown, MD (301) 739-1190 |
| ABC Baltimore Metro Chapter | 1220B E. Joppa Rd., Suite 322 Towson, MD 21286 |
| ABC Washington Metro Chapter | 6901 Muirkirk Meadows Drive, Suite F Beltsville, MD 20705 |
| ABC Chesapeake Shores Chapter | 100 West Street Annapolis, MD 21401 |
| All-State Career Schools - Baltimore Campus | 2200 Broening Hwy. Baltimore, MD |
| College of Southern Maryland - La Plata Campus | 8730 Mitchell Road La Plata, MD |
| College of Southern Maryland - Prince Federick Campus | 115 J.W. Williams Road Prince Frederick, MD 20678 |
| Howard Community College - Main Campus | 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD 21044 |
| IEC Chesapeake | 8751 Freestate Drive Laurel, MD 20723 |
| JATC of Baltimore Electrical | 2699 West Patapsco Avenue Baltimore, MD 21230 |
| JATC of Western Maryland | 307 East Offutt Street Cumberland, MD 21502 |
| JATC of Lanham | 4371 Parliament Place Lanham, MD 20706 |
| Lincoln Tech - Columbia Campus | 9325 Snowden River Parkway Columbia, MD 21046 |
| North American Trade Schools | 6901 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD |
| Wor–Wic Community College | 32000 Campus Drive Salisbury, MD 21804 |
Electrician Schools by City
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