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The electrician jobs in Nebraska are expected to grow by 15% between 2010 and 2020.
If you are a Nebraska resident and want to work in the field, check out the info below.
Article Table of Contents
Become an Apprentice
The first step in starting your career is getting adequate training.
You will need 8000 hours of practice over 5 years to get a journeyman license or 3 years of experience and an associate’s degree.
You can get the required training by joining a program or enroll in a trade school.
Trade School
Enrolling in a trade school is the easiest way to get licensed.
You can also get job placement options when you complete your program.
Some schools offer evening classes for students who have a day job.
To become an apprentice, you also need to register with the NSED.
You will have to pay a $20 or $40 registration fee, based on the year.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central Community College | 3134 West Hwy 34, Grand Island, NE 68802 |
| Metropolitan Community College Area | 30 & Fort Street, Omaha, NE 68111 |
| Mid-Plains Community College | 1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte, NE 69101 |
| Northeast Community College | 801 E Benjamin, Norfolk, NE 68702 |
| Southeast Community College Area | 301 South 68th Street Place, Lincoln, NE 68510 |
| Western Nebraska Community College | 1601 East 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 |
Union Apprenticeship
To get into a union apprenticeship, you have to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
The requirements are as follows:
- Be 18 years old
- High school diploma/GED
- Driver’s license
- Take a skills test
- Birth certificate copy
- One year of algebra
- $20 application fee
- Proof of electrical experience if applicable
Non-Union Apprenticeship
Another way to meet your training requirements is by joining a non-union program.
These are handled by the Cornhusker Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).
The requirements are:
- Be 18 years old
- High school diploma/GED
- Social security card
- Driver’s license
- Have a car
- Be able to perform your job
- $25 registration fee
- Take a math test
Take the Journeyman Exam
In Nebraska, you can get 2 types of journeyman license.
Journeyman Electrician License
This certification allows you to do any kind of electrical work and oversee apprentices.
The requirements are as follows:
- Meet the experience criteria
- $25 or $50 application fee
- $60 exam fee
- Get a 60% score in the exam
The exam has 50 questions, lasts for 3 hours, and is open-book.
Residential Journeyman Wireman License
This certification enables you to perform wiring work in private residences.
The requirements and the exam are the same as for a journeyman electrician license.
Hastings, Fremont, and Lincoln
These cities handle their own licensing process, which is also recognized by the state.
The requirements are the same, however, you will also need to show proof you took one of the following exams:
- The National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC) exam
- The NSED exam
- The Education Testing Service (ETS) exam
Become an electrical contractor
To be able to start a company, you need to become an independent contractor.
For this, you need to submit:
- Proof of experience
- $150 or $250 license fee
- $125 exam fee
- Pass the exam with a 76% score
The experience requirements are either one of the following:
- One year of work as a journeyman and a 4-year degree
- 5 years of electrical experience
- One year of job experience as a licensed journeyman
The independent contractor exam has 50 questions and lasts for 3 hours.
You will also have to submit liability insurance with a value of:
- At least $100,000 per person
- At least $300,000 per accident
- At least $100,000 property damage
Salary
Those with a degree and more experience will earn more than those who just started their electrician career.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $45,988 |
| Lincoln | $45,766 |
| Bellevue | $45,988 |
| Grand Island | $45,134 |
| Kearney | $45,134 |
| Fremont | $45,302 |
| Hastings | $45,134 |
| Norfolk | $40,032 |
| North Platte | $43,760 |
| Columbus | $45,134 |
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | 210 | $54,030 | $25.98 | $77,250 | $37,840 |
| Lincoln, NE | 1,160 | $59,760 | $28.73 | $80,880 | $38,470 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 3,140 | $63,310 | $30.44 | $88,470 | $38,620 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Renewing the License
You need to renew the apprentice license every other year.
The journeyman license needs to be renewed every other year for a $25 fee and 12 extra education hours.
The independent contractor certification has to be renewed every other year for a fee of $125.
You also have to take 12 extra hours of class before renewal.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
Electrician Schools by City
Electrician Schools by State