Electrician
Wire homes, offices, hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings under the National Electrical Code (NEC). Electricians install panels, run conduit, troubleshoot circuits, and keep buildings safely energized. One of the most reliably hiring trades in skilled work.
Electrician goes by many names
On KinTrades, all of these job titles route to the Electrician trade — so search any of them and you'll find matching work.
Day to day on the job
Electricians install and maintain the wiring, panels, breakers, lighting, outlets, and switches that bring power into every kind of building. A new-construction electrician spends days roughing in conduit and pulling wire before walls close. A service electrician runs trouble calls — diagnosing dead circuits, replacing failed breakers, upgrading panels, troubleshooting GFCI nuisance trips.
Specializations diverge. A Residential Electrician focuses on single-family homes and small multi-family. A Commercial Electrician runs three-phase systems in offices, retail, and hospitality. A Service Electrician drives a truck and runs a route. A Master Electrician holds the state license that lets a shop pull permits and operate as a contractor.
Most electricians work for electrical contractors — union (IBEW signatory) or open-shop (IEC, ABC, or independent). The work is hands-on, code-driven, and rewards anyone who can read a blueprint and think systematically about how electrons flow.
How you move up as an Electrician
Progression follows the IBEW Inside Wireman apprenticeship plus state journeyman/master licensure. IBEW locals serving 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. BLS OES 47-2111, May 2024.
Apprentice — what this rung looks like
What Electricians earn in VA, DC, MD & NC
Pay data: BLS OEWS · May 2024 · VA · DC · MD · NC. Expanding nationally.
Core craft + supporting skills
Pulled from your taxonomy. Core skills (orange) are required for the Electrician trade; supporting skills (gray) round out a well-rounded journeyworker.
Paths into the Electrician trade
IBEW JATC Apprenticeship
Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program through your local IBEW union. Paid OJT + classroom. The most common union path. Find your IBEW local →
IEC / ABC Open-Shop Apprenticeship
DOL-Registered apprenticeships through Independent Electrical Contractors or Associated Builders & Contractors. IEC chapter finder · ABC Virginia · ABC Metro Washington · ABC Greater Baltimore.
Community College Programs
Northern VA Community College, Prince George's CC (MD), Cape Fear CC (NC), Wake Tech (NC). Many electrical programs are FastForward Pell-eligible (VA).
Certifications that help
NCCER Electrical Levels 1–4, OSHA 10 / 30, NFPA 70E (arc flash), state journeyman/master license, specialty: high-voltage testing, fire alarm (NICET), BICSI for low-voltage stack.
Common pathways into Electrician work
KinTrades welcomes Electrician workers from every walk of life. Whether you're a veteran transitioning out of service, a student planning your career, or someone returning to work — there's a clear path in.
Veterans
Navy Electrician's Mate (EM) and Construction Electrician (CE), Army 12R Interior Electrician, and Air Force 3E0X1 Electrical Systems all crosswalk directly into IBEW apprenticeships.
Helmets to Hardhats connects transitioning service members directly to IBEW + IEC + ABC apprenticeships.
The GI Bill covers IBEW JATC fees and state journeyman/master licensing exam costs.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
High school electrical CTE programs are widespread in VA, MD, and NC — credits transfer into IBEW or open-shop apprenticeship.
IBEW JATC apprenticeships start at age 18 with HS diploma or GED.
FastForward VA covers electrical pre-apprenticeship tuition; NoVA CC, Wake Tech, and Cape Fear CC offer NCCER electrical curricula.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
Electrical work is among the trades on KinTrades where employers actively hire workers with records.
IBEW locals admit applicants with felony histories on a case-by-case basis; many ABC and IEC contractors do not require background checks for entry-level positions.
Service-electrician shops especially hire on skill and reliability — once you demonstrate you can clear a trouble call, your past matters less.
Second-chance hiringIf Electrician interests you, also look at
Common questions about becoming an Electrician
What does an Electrician do?
Electricians install and maintain the wiring, panels, breakers, lighting, outlets, and switches that bring power into every kind of building. A new-construction electrician spends days roughing in conduit and pulling wire before walls close. A service electrician runs trouble calls — diagnosing dead circuits, replacing failed breakers, upgrading panels, troubleshooting GFCI nuisance trips.
What does an Electrician make in Virginia, DC, Maryland, and North Carolina?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024, Electricians earn an annual median of $64K in Virginia (range $50K–$86K), $82K in DC ($64K–$108K), $72K in Maryland ($56K–$96K), and $56K in North Carolina ($44K–$74K).
How do you become an Electrician?
IBEW JATC Apprenticeship: Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program through your local IBEW union. Paid OJT + classroom. The most common union path. Find your IBEW local →
How long is Electrician apprenticeship in Virginia, DC, Maryland, or North Carolina?
4–5 years through the JATC or merit-shop program. Ends with state journeyman exam. Progression follows the IBEW Inside Wireman apprenticeship plus state journeyman/master licensure. IBEW locals serving 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.
Is Electrician a good career path for someone with a record?
Electrical work is among the trades on KinTrades where employers actively hire workers with records. IBEW locals admit applicants with felony histories on a case-by-case basis; many ABC and IEC contractors do not require background checks for entry-level positions. Service-electrician shops especially hire on skill and reliability — once you demonstrate you can clear a trouble call, your past matters less.