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3-step progression from Apprentice Electrician to Electrical Contractor. Potential salary increase of 104% from entry to advanced level.
Entry Salary
$38,500
Apprentice Electrician
Top Salary
$78,690
Electrical Contractor
Total Steps
3
licenses
Median Salary
$38,500
Earn while you learn — paid from day one, no license required
Avg. Licensing Cost
$87
Avg. Timeline
4.1 years – 4.3 years
Starting as an apprentice costs almost nothing — you earn while you learn. Find an apprenticeship program and get your tools ready.
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Median Salary
$62,350
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
Avg. Licensing Cost
$87
Avg. Timeline
4.1 years – 4.3 years
Pass the journeyman exam and get licensed. Exam prep books and practice tests dramatically improve pass rates.
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Ready to start your Electrical Contractor journey?
Compare approved training programs and find the best fit for your schedule and budget.
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Median Salary
$78,690
Master electrician license + contractor license
Avg. Licensing Cost
$309
Avg. Timeline
1.9 years – 2.2 years
Launching an electrical contracting business requires a master license, bonding, insurance, and business formation. Get everything set up right from the start.
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The electrical career ladder is a professional progression from Apprentice Electrician to Electrical Contractor. It includes 3 licensing levels, each with increasing education, responsibility, and earning potential.
Advancing from Apprentice Electrician ($38,500 median) to Electrical Contractor ($78,690 median) represents a 104% salary increase based on BLS national median data.
Each step requires additional education and licensing. Apprentice Electrician: Earn while you learn — paid from day one, no license required. Electrician (Journeyman): Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam. Electrical Contractor: Master electrician license + contractor license. The total time depends on the pace of your education and state-specific processing times.
Planning your next career move?
Salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 national medians. Licensing costs and timelines are averages across all US states derived from verified state licensing board data. Individual state requirements vary — see state-specific pages for details.