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If you become an electrician in Ohio, you will have numerous job opportunities.
Industry jobs will see an 11.5% increase until 2024.
Have a look at the state requirements for info on starting your new career.
Article Table of Contents
Become an Apprentice
In this state, the licenses are managed at the county level.
You will need to train for 3 years and 8,000 hours before applying for a license from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Trade schools
A trade school program will result in a diploma or an associate’s degree, both of which count towards your training.
Some subjects you will study include:
- Basic Math Computations
- Blueprint Reading
- Algebra with Trigonometry
- Electrical Theory
- OSHA Regulations and First Aid
- Electrical Code
- Telecom Cabling
- Basic Telecommunications
- Motor Controls
- Basic Alarm Technology
- Semi-Conductors
- Logic Circuits and Programmable Controllers
- Motor and Generator Theory
- Fire Access & CCTV Systems
- Power Distribution and Load Calculations
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus | 1565 State Route 167, Jefferson, OH 44047 |
| Buckeye Joint Vocational School | 545 University Dr NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 |
| Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County | 150 Price Rd, Newark, OH 43055 |
| Eastern Gateway Community College | 4000 Sunset Blvd, Steubenville, OH 43952 |
| Greene County Vocational School District | 2960 West Enon Road, Xenia, OH 45385 |
| Kaplan Career Institute | 8720 Brookpark Road, Brooklyn, OH 44129 |
| Madison Adult Career Center | 600 Esley Ln, Mansfield, OH 44905 |
| Miami Valley Career Technology Center | 6800 Hoke Rd, Clayton, OH 45315 |
| Miami-Jacobs Career College | 110 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH 45402 |
| Mid-EastCTC-Adult Education | 400 Richards Rd, Zanesville, OH 43701 |
| Northwest State Community College | 22600 State Route 34, Archbold, OH 43502 |
| O C Collins Career Center | 11627 State Rte 243, Chesapeake, OH 45619 |
| Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District | 895 Crouse Chapel Rd, Chillicothe, OH 45601 |
| Scioto County Career Technical Center | 951 Vern Riffe Drive, Lucasville, OH 45648 |
| Sinclair Community College | 444 W. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402 |
| Warren County Career Center | 3525 North State Route 48, Lebanon, OH 45036 |
In Hamilton and Middletown, you will need to be a registered apprentice to acquire the needed experience.
Many schools offer job placements opportunities, and you can also check out openings with electrical companies in your area.
Union programs, or JATCs, and non-union programs are also popular choices when it comes to a formal apprenticeship.
While union programs are offered through the National Training Alliance, non-union programs were created by industry associations.
Get a Journeyman License
Journeyman licenses are only required in Middletown and Hamilton.
Middletown
In Middletown, you will have to submit an application and take the journeyman exam.
The exam has 50 questions and requires a 70% score to pass.
Hamilton
The journeyman licenses are available through the City of Hamilton.
If you finished a non-union program, the licensing process will be handled by the Butler County Electrical JATC IBEW Local Union 648.
Become an Independent Electrical Contractor
To get this certification, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- An experience of 5 years
- Passing the theory exam
- Passing the law and business test
- General liability insurance of $500,000
The theory exam has 100 questions, lasts for 4 hours, and is open-book.
The test will include the following topics:
- General Electrical Knowledge
- Transformers & Equipment
- Service Feeders and Branch Circuits
- Raceways, Boxes, and Panelboards
- Conductors & Cables
- Control Devices
- Motors and Generators
- Utilization Equipment
- Special Occupancy & Equipment
The business and law test has a duration of 2 hours, is also open-book and comprises 50 questions.
Topics cover the Ohio Business and Law Study Guide for Contractors and include:
- Business Organization
- Licensing
- Estimating & Bidding
- Contract Management
- Project Management
- Insurance and Bonding
- OSHA Recordkeeping and Safety
- Personnel Regulations
- Financial Management
- Tax and Lien Laws
Salary
Of course, your experience and the type of certification you possess will have a say in how much you’ll earn.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbus | $47,839 |
| Cleveland | $48,261 |
| Cincinnati | $47,567 |
| Toledo | $47,036 |
| Akron | $46,701 |
| Dayton | $47,285 |
| Canton | $46,453 |
| Youngstown | $46,112 |
| Lorain | $47,362 |
| Hamilton | $47,372 |
Regional Salary in Ohio
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 1,250 | $69,690 | $33.5 | $115,010 | $37,600 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 1,060 | $69,410 | $33.37 | $86,220 | $42,640 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 5,430 | $62,790 | $30.19 | $90,140 | $37,500 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 3,810 | $64,780 | $31.14 | $91,450 | $37,620 |
| Columbus, OH | 4,470 | $64,460 | $30.99 | $96,890 | $37,430 |
| Dayton, OH | 1,520 | $61,840 | $29.73 | $78,650 | $37,100 |
| Lima, OH | 230 | $64,100 | $30.82 | $78,940 | $36,560 |
| Mansfield, OH | 170 | $56,590 | $27.21 | $74,350 | $36,640 |
| Springfield, OH | 130 | $60,190 | $28.94 | $72,650 | $44,110 |
| Toledo, OH | 1,550 | $68,130 | $32.76 | $96,820 | $37,790 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 1,110 | $59,730 | $28.72 | $90,030 | $34,580 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
License Renewal
After you get an electrical contractor certification, you will have to renew it annually.
You will also need to attend a number of extra hours of class before you can renew it.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
Electrician Schools by City
Electrician Schools by State