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Electricians in North Carolina are quite sought after, with jobs expected to grow by 18.5% by 2024.
If you feel this is your true calling, read on below for more tips and info.
Article Table of Contents
Become an Apprentice
As the certification process takes place at a local level in this state, and the requirements are varied.
Raleigh
The apprenticeship lasts for:
- 2 years and 4,000 hours of experience
Or
- 36 semester hours in a school that is approved by the City of Raleigh’s Electrical Examination Board
Charlotte/Mecklenburg County and Greensboro
In these jurisdictions, the apprenticeship lasts for 4 years and 8,000 hours of experience.
Trade school
If you enroll in a trade school, you will be able to get an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Systems Technology.
Such a degree typically lasts for 2 years and provides you with the needed experience.
After you finish your program, it will be easy for you to get hired on an entry-level electrician position.
The subjects that will be covered in class include:
- Electrical Theory
- AC/DC Circuits
- Blueprints
- Electrical Construction Calculations
- Commercial and Residential Wiring
- Electrical Motor Controls and Transformers
- Industrial Safety/First Aid/OSHA
- National Electric Code
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Mayland Community College | 200 Mayland Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 |
| North Carolina Community Colleges | 340 Victoria Rd, Asheville, NC 28801 |
| North Carolina Community Colleges | 5337 US Highway 264 East, Washington, NC 27889 |
| North Carolina Community Colleges | 7418 NC Hwy 41 West, Dublin, NC 28332 |
| North Carolina Community Colleges | 180 West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731 |
| North Carolina Community Colleges | 2855 Hickory Blvd., Hudson, NC 28638 |
| North Carolina Community Colleges | 411 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 |
| North Carolina Community Colleges | 2550 Hwy 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602 |
| South Piedmont Community College | 680 Highway 74 West, Polkton, NC 28135 |
Apprenticeship Programs
Another way to get trained is by joining a union program.
These are offered by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the Electrical Training Alliance and are called Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees.
You can also join a non-union apprenticeship program, which is usually available through electrical companies or open shops.
Become a journeyman
Charlotte/Mecklenburg County
In this region, the licenses are managed by the County Code Enforcement department.
The requirements are:
- An experience of 4 years
- Taking the journeyman test
- Work for an electrical contractor
The journeyman certification needs to be renewed every year.
Raleigh
The certifications are managed by The City of Raleigh Electrical Examining Board.
The requirements are:
- Have a good ethical code
- An experience of 2 years of 35 education credits per semester
- Proof of experience
- A test result of 75%
Greensboro
The licenses are handles by The City of Greensboro
You will need to show proof of 4 years of experience and take an exam.
Become an Independent Electrical Contractor
The independent electrical contractor licenses are managed by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors.
You can choose between a limited, intermediate, and unlimited license.
As a limited contractor, you can work with appliances of 600 volts or less, and projects worth $50,000.
You need to have an experience of 4 years.
As an intermediate contractor, you need 6 years of experience.
You will be able to work on projects worth $130,000 of any voltage.
As an unlimited contractor, you must have 5 years of experience and send in 2 reference letters.
These must state you are capable of supervising other electricians and have the required experience.
After choosing your license, you have to submit an application form and take an exam.
The exam has 100 questions and lasts for 6 hours.
As an intermediate or unlimited electrical contractor, you have to send in a liability bond of $50,000 or $130,000, respectively.
Salary
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $47,648 |
| Raleigh | $46,667 |
| Greensboro | $46,486 |
| Durham | $46,408 |
| Winston-Salem | $46,599 |
| Fayetteville | $44,634 |
| Cary | $46,667 |
| Wilmington | $44,366 |
| High Point | $46,764 |
| Greenville | $46,326 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 910 | $51,430 | $24.73 | $64,460 | $37,390 |
| Burlington, NC | 270 | $49,400 | $23.75 | $61,360 | $36,200 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 6,400 | $54,750 | $26.32 | $66,680 | $39,190 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 1,150 | $59,560 | $28.63 | $79,350 | $40,250 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 660 | $54,240 | $26.08 | $77,850 | $35,720 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 100 | $49,400 | $23.75 | $63,800 | $35,940 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 1,850 | $53,550 | $25.75 | $63,780 | $37,900 |
| Greenville, NC | 370 | $51,130 | $24.58 | $65,760 | $36,630 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 430 | $51,450 | $24.73 | $62,060 | $37,230 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 140 | $53,310 | $25.63 | $70,250 | $35,410 |
| New Bern, NC | 90 | $53,070 | $25.51 | $73,220 | $34,870 |
| Raleigh, NC | 3,580 | $54,360 | $26.13 | $64,480 | $39,690 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 180 | $49,860 | $23.97 | $62,770 | $35,400 |
| Wilmington, NC | 850 | $52,580 | $25.28 | $63,340 | $38,280 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 1,160 | $52,270 | $25.13 | $63,460 | $37,120 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
License Renewal
Any of the electrical contractor licenses need to be renewed after one year, and additional education hours are required.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
Electrician Schools by City
Electrician Schools by State