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It is still a good time to become an electrician in Georgia, as the demand for these tradesmen is still on the rise.
Additionally, with the possibility of turning this occupation into a career in fewer steps than in most other US states, we think that the electric field is a great one to enter.
All electricians in Georgia must earn a license from the Construction Industry Licensing Board, and below we’ll show you what you need to do.
Article Table of Contents
Complete Your Technical Training
The technical training of an electrician lasts:
- Supervised for 8,000 hours on the job
- 180 hours of classroom education per year
This period is called an apprenticeship and it can be completed in 2 ways:
- Through a union or non-union, direct apprenticeship
- Through a trade school which awards diplomas or Associates’ degrees after 2 years
Technical College
There are many employers preferring candidates who graduated from a technical school.
The training programs they offer usually include work placement for the practice hours needed, though the duration might be shorter than though an apprenticeship program.
These internships sometimes turn into full-time employment.
Those graduating from such schools also have better career options.
The following subjects might be part of your curriculum:
- Residential Wiring
- Electrical Theory
- Applied Math
- OHM’s law
- Electrical Motors
- Blueprints
- Line Logic
- Programmable Controllers
- Safety/CPR/First Aid
- Advanced Electrical Theory
- Transformers/Generators
- The National Electric Code
- Commercial & Industrial Wiring
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Technical College System of Georgia | 1704 South Slappey Boulevard, Albany, GA 31701 |
| Technical College System of Georgia | 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 |
| Technical College System of Georgia | 3200 Augusta Tech Drive, Augusta, GA 30906 |
| Technical College System of Georgia | One Maurice Culberson Drive, Rome, GA 30161 |
| Technical College System of Georgia | 980 S Cobb Drive Dr SE, Marietta, GA 30060 |
| Technical College System of Georgia | 800 U.S. Hwy 29 North, Athens, GA 30601 |
| Technical College System of Georgia | 80 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088 |
| Technical College System of Georgia | 1701 Carswell Ave, Waycross, GA 31503 |
| Technical College System of Georgia | 495 N Indian Creek Dr, Clarkston, GA 30021 |
| Technical College System of Georgia | 928 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31904 |
| University System of Georgia | 2500 E Shotwell St, Bainbridge, GA 39819 |
Apprenticeships
Local unions offer traditional apprenticeship programs for qualifying individuals as long as they also accept to become union members.
Georgia has several JATCs (Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees), the organizations offering unionized apprenticeships.
Non-union apprenticeship options are available as well, though in Georgia is more difficult to find such an option.
Journeyman Electrician
The Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board does not offer a journeyman license.
Those who complete their apprenticeship in Georgia can directly start selling their services to the public.
It is however very common for those who completed their apprenticeship through unionized or non-unionized organizations will award a Journeyman Certificate.
This certification is on par with the national standards and it’s highly likely for most employers to prefer candidates who obtained such a certification.
Those who possess the journeyman diploma are generally allowed to work in other states as well, though some jurisdictions might require all electricians from the State of Georgia to pass their journeyman electrician exam.
Independent Electrical Contractor
In Georgia, the Construction Industry Licensing Board issues 2 types of electrical contractor licenses:
- Class I – for electrical work involving single-phase installations, under 200 amperes at the service drop or the service lateral
- Class II -unrestricted
These licenses allow you to legally offer your services to the public in Georgia.
To earn either license, you have to:
- Fill out the application
- Be 21 years old
- Have 4 years of experience as an electrician
- Score over 70% on the exam
- Submit 3 notarized references on the required form
One of the references must come from a licensed electrician.
For the Class II license, you have to be experienced with systems of more than 200 amperes, including installation.
Those who get approved can schedule the exam, and the answer arrived in about 45 days of submitting the application
There is an exam bulletin with more details related to how to schedule the exam and question breakdown.
Some of the subjects on the exams are:
- Regulations, Laws, and Administrative Functions
- Basic Electrical Circuits
- Interior Electrical Systems
- Special Equipment, Conditions, and Locations
- Electrical Controls and Devices
- DC and DC Rotating Equipment
- Transformers
- Pre-test questions
Both licenses are renewed every 2 years.
Contractors need to complete 4 hours of continuing education per year to renew their licenses.
Salary
Location and experience will greatly influence how much an electrician in Georgia will earn.
The average salary across the state can be seen below.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $48,032 |
| Augusta | $45,147 |
| Columbus | $43,869 |
| Macon | $45,104 |
| Savannah | $45,391 |
| Athens | $47,692 |
| Roswell | $47,851 |
| Warner Robins | $44,968 |
| Albany | $44,634 |
| Alpharetta | $47,783 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | 330 | $53,510 | $25.73 | $79,050 | $35,470 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 300 | $54,640 | $26.27 | $75,250 | $36,870 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 12,160 | $59,330 | $28.52 | $82,200 | $37,130 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 1,450 | $62,940 | $30.26 | $80,020 | $37,810 |
| Brunswick, GA | 150 | $52,220 | $25.11 | $73,570 | $35,920 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 480 | $48,250 | $23.2 | $64,000 | $35,790 |
| Dalton, GA | 200 | $58,760 | $28.25 | $98,190 | $37,060 |
| Gainesville, GA | 290 | $53,730 | $25.83 | $72,470 | $37,770 |
| Hinesville, GA | 50 | $60,670 | $29.17 | $78,210 | $38,040 |
| Macon, GA | 420 | $54,890 | $26.39 | $80,280 | $35,730 |
| Rome, GA | 160 | $60,130 | $28.91 | $78,730 | $38,650 |
| Savannah, GA | 610 | $55,610 | $26.73 | $77,230 | $37,440 |
| Valdosta, GA | 310 | $48,260 | $23.2 | $64,990 | $30,530 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 220 | $54,510 | $26.21 | $64,040 | $41,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
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Electrician Schools by State