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2-step progression from Electrician (Journeyman) to Electrical Contractor. Potential salary increase of 26% from entry to advanced level.
Entry Salary
$62,350
Electrician (Journeyman)
Top Salary
$78,690
Electrical Contractor
Total Steps
2
licenses
Median Salary
$62,350
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
Avg. Licensing Cost
$87
Avg. Timeline
4.1 years – 4.3 years
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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
The electrical career ladder is a professional progression from Electrician (Journeyman) to Electrical Contractor. It includes 2 licensing levels, each with increasing education, responsibility, and earning potential.
Advancing from Electrician (Journeyman) ($62,350 median) to Electrical Contractor ($78,690 median) represents a 26% salary increase based on BLS national median data.
Each step requires additional education and licensing. 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.
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.