Electrical Trades
From the wiring in your house to the controls running a 200-acre data center — electrical work is everywhere, and the trade pays well at every level.
Four electrical trades. Different code, different licensing.
General electricians wire homes and offices under the NEC. Industrial electricians work motor controls and PLCs. Low-voltage techs run data, security, and fire-alarm systems under different codes. Solar installers add a renewables-specific certification track. Each is a distinct license/cert path on KinTrades.
Electrician
8 job-title variantsWire homes, offices, hospitals, and commercial buildings under the National Electrical Code. The biggest of the electrical trades and one of the most reliable careers in skilled work.
Industrial Electrician
6 job-title variants · PLC + controls focusMotor controls, PLCs, industrial panels. Keeps factories, refineries, water plants, and data centers running. Premium pay for premium electrical know-how.
Low Voltage Technician
6 job-title variants · BICSI / NICET trackData cabling, access control, CCTV, and fire alarms — the systems that make a building smart and safe. BICSI and NICET-driven, separate from NEC electrical work.
Solar Installer
5 job-title variants · NABCEP certPhotovoltaic panel installation and electrical interconnect. Growing fast as residential and commercial solar adoption climbs across the four states. NABCEP-certified.
Apply across all four roles
Most certifications, apprenticeships, and licenses in this family transfer between roles or stack on top of each other. Pick a role above for the specifics; the resources below are family-wide.
IBEW Apprenticeships (union)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers — the largest union for electricians in the U.S. Locals serve every metro in the four states: Local 26 (DC + suburban MD + NoVA), Local 666 (Richmond VA), Local 1340 (Newport News VA), Local 24 (Baltimore MD), Local 379 (Charlotte NC), Local 553 (Raleigh NC). Use the IBEW local-finder to confirm which serves your address.
IBEW Find a Local →IEC + ABC Apprenticeships (open shop)
Independent Electrical Contractors and Associated Builders & Contractors run DOL-Registered electrical apprenticeships at non-union electrical contractors. Both are recognized programs.
IEC Find a Chapter →State Electrical Licensing
VA DPOR · DC DCRA · MD Master Electricians Board · NC State Board of Examiners. Each issues journeyman and master electrician licenses.
BICSI (Low-Voltage Cert)
Building Industry Consulting Service International — the certifying body for low-voltage / structured-cabling techs. ITS Installer 1, ITS Installer 2, RCDD designer credential.
BICSI Certifications →NABCEP (Solar Cert)
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners — the industry-standard solar certification body. PV Associate (entry), PV Installation Professional (journeyman), PV Design Specialist (designer).
NABCEP Credentials →OSHA 10 / 30 + NFPA 70E
OSHA 10 entry-level safety; OSHA 30 for foremen. NFPA 70E covers electrical-specific safe work practices and arc-flash protection — required by most contractors.
OSHA Course Providers →Common pathways into Electrical Trades
KinTrades welcomes workers across all three roles in this family — veterans transitioning out of service, students planning a career, and people returning to work after time away.
Veterans
Multiple military electrical ratings crosswalk into civilian work: Navy EM/CE, Army 12R, Air Force 3E0X1, and Navy ET/AT for the controls track. Helmets to Hardhats connects transitioning service members directly to IBEW + IEC + ABC apprenticeships.
The GI Bill covers IBEW JATC fees, NABCEP exams, BICSI testing, and approved tech-school programs.
Federal electrical work at DoD facilities favors cleared veterans.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
Electrical CTE programs are widespread in HS districts across all four states. IBEW JATC and IEC apprenticeships start at age 18 with a HS diploma or GED.
Solar and low-voltage roles have the lowest entry barrier — both hire HS grads as helpers without credentials.
FastForward VA covers electrical pre-apprenticeship tuition for VA students; Pell-eligible community colleges run electrical certificate programs.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
IBEW Locals admit applicants with felony histories on a case-by-case basis at every level.
ABC Virginia, ABC Metro Washington, and ABC Greater Baltimore open-shop apprenticeships generally do not require background checks for entry-level positions.
Solar installation is among the most accessible electrical entry points — many regional installers hire helpers without prior experience or licensing.
Second-chance hiringCommon questions about Electrical Trades
What trades are in the Electrical Trades family?
Electrical Trades on KinTrades covers 4 roles: Electrician, Industrial Electrician, Low Voltage Technician, Solar Installer. Each is a recognized skilled trade with its own apprenticeship pathway, certifications, and pay band.
How do you get started in Electrical Trades?
From the wiring in your house to the controls running a 200-acre data center — electrical work is everywhere, and the trade pays well at every level. Most workers come in via an apprenticeship — usually 2 to 5 years paid OJT plus classroom hours — or through a community-college pre-apprenticeship that feeds into one. Some employers also direct-hire helpers and train on-site.
Is Electrical Trades a good fit for second-chance workers?
IBEW Locals admit applicants with felony histories on a case-by-case basis at every level. ABC Virginia, ABC Metro Washington, and ABC Greater Baltimore open-shop apprenticeships generally do not require background checks for entry-level positions. Solar installation is among the most accessible electrical entry points — many regional installers hire helpers without prior experience or licensing.
Is Electrical Trades a good career path for veterans or high school students?
Veterans: Multiple military electrical ratings crosswalk into civilian work: Navy EM/CE, Army 12R, Air Force 3E0X1, and Navy ET/AT for the controls track. Helmets to Hardhats connects transitioning service members directly to IBEW + IEC + ABC apprenticeships. The GI Bill covers IBEW JATC fees, NABCEP exams, BICSI testing, and approved tech-school programs. Federal electrical work at DoD facilities favors cleared veterans. Students: Electrical CTE programs are widespread in HS districts across all four states. IBEW JATC and IEC apprenticeships start at age 18 with a HS diploma or GED. Solar and low-voltage roles have the lowest entry barrier — both hire HS grads as helpers without credentials. FastForward VA covers electrical pre-apprenticeship tuition for VA students; Pell-eligible community colleges run electrical certificate programs.