Electrician Classes in Pennsylvania (Top Schools)

Pennsylvania already has more than 20,000 working electricians, the industry is still on the rise.

According to the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information and Analysis, there’ll be a 13.8% increase in electrician jobs by 2014.

So if you want to enter the electrical industry, now’s your chance to do it.

Here’s how you can become an electrician in Pennsylvania.

Potential Salary

As of May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the following salary information for Pennsylvania electricians:

Mean Wage:

• Annually – $68,660
• Hourly – $33.01

How to Become an Electrician in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the few states that doesn’t have state-wide licensing regulations for electricians.

Instead, it’s up to the local jurisdictions to set and oversee these regulations.

However, you must know that to legally perform electrical work, you must comply with the…

• Electrical and building codes and construction industry guidelines where you intend to work
• PA’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act

For now, let’s take a look at some of the common and local licensing requirements as examples.

Becoming an Apprentice or Helper Electrician

In general, you need to have some on-the-job training or experience to qualify for a journeyman license or, in some cases, a journey-level position.

This is the one requirement that all local jurisdictions in Pennsylvania have in common.

You can become an apprentice or helper electrician in 3 ways:

• Enroll in a 3– to 5–year apprenticeship program and attend 750 to 900 hours of classroom instruction
• Enroll in a 2–year electrical program at a vocational school and acquire 2 years of on-the-job experience
• Work under a licensed electrical contractor for at least 10 years

Becoming a Journeyman Electrician

Many local jurisdictions in Pennsylvania only need proof of apprenticeship or experience to make you qualified for a journeyman license.

Meanwhile, others will have you pass the journeyman electrician exam.

Allentown

To get a journeyman license in this city, you need to meet these qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Has a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• At least 4 years of experience
• Successfully pass the journeyman exam

The exam will be open-book and last for 4 hours.

It’ll consist of 80 questions covering these topics:

• General knowledge – 8%
• Services and service equipment – 13%
• Feeders – 3%
• Branch circuits and conductors – 20%
• Wiring methods and materials – 26%
• Equipment and devices – 13%
• Control devices – 3%
• Motors and generators – 5%
• Special occupancies, equipment, and conditions – 11%

Your license will need an annual renewal.

Moreover, this license has reciprocity with the City of Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Kutztown, Reading, Scranton, and the State of Connecticut.

Pittsburgh and Philadelphia

Only electrical contractor licenses are issued in these cities.

Becoming an Independent Electrical Contractor

Allentown

To work as a master electrician in this city, you need:

• At least 4 years of journeyman experience
• Successfully pass the master electrician exam

The exam lasts for 5 hours and consists of 100 open-book questions.

It’ll cover the following topics:

• General knowledge and plan reading – 12%
• Services and service equipment – 16%
• Feeders – 4%
• Branch circuits and conductors – 16%
• Wiring methods and materials – 19%
• Equipment and devices – 10%
• Control devices – 3%
• Motors and generators – 8%
• Special occupancies, equipment, and conditions – 12%

The passing rate is 70%.

You’ll need to renew the license yearly, and no insurance or bond is required.

Pittsburgh

The Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections will issue the license.

You’ll need to meet these requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Successfully pass the electrical contractor exam
• Copy of your recent photo ID
• Proof of apprenticeship
• $300,000 general liability insurance
• Proof of city taxes registration

The exam lasts for 5 hours and consists of 100 open-book questions.

It’ll cover the following topics:

• Wiring methods and materials – 19%
• Services and service equipment – 16%
• Branch circuits and conductors – 16%
• General knowledge and plan reading – 12%
• Special occupancies, equipment, and conditions – 12%
• Equipment and devices – 10%
• Motors and generators – 8%
• Feeders – 4%
• Control devices – 3%

The passing rate is 70%.

You’ll need to renew the license yearly and provide proof of experience each time you renew it.

Philadelphia

The city’s Business Services Department will issue the license, and they’ll require the following:

• At least 4 years of work experience
• Proof of insurance – car insurance, worker’s compensation, and $500,000 general liability insurance
• Proof of city taxes registration
• 3 passport-sized photos
• Successfully pass the electrical contractor exam

The exam lasts for 5 hours and consists of 100 open-book questions.

It’ll cover the following topics:

• General knowledge and plan reading – 12%
• Services and service equipment – 16%
• Feeders – 4%
• Branch circuits and conductors – 16%
• Wiring methods and materials – 19%
• Equipment and devices – 10%
• Control devices – 3%
• Motors and generators – 8%
• Special occupancies, equipment, and conditions – 12%

The passing rate is 70%.

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in Pennsylvania

You need to have appropriate trade education and training to become an electrician.

You can get this through apprenticeship programs or trade schools.

Apprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by unions (through JATCs) and non-unions (through private employers).

To apply for an apprenticeship, both sponsors will require the following:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Has a high school diploma/GED
• Completed and passed high school algebra
• Pass the general aptitude test

While union programs offer job placement after completion, non-unions require students to search for employment themselves.

Trade Schools

These offer structured classroom training and field experience.

At the end of the program, you will receive a diploma, which you can use to qualify for licensure or further your studies.

Here, some of the areas you’ll learn include:

• NEC
• AC/DC
• Basic applied electrical math
• Non-linear circuit analysis
• Programmable logic controllers
• Electric motor control
• Blueprint reading

Electrician Schools by City

• Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh

This page is also available in Spanish.