Best institutions to study Electrician
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain, and repair electric apparatus and systems such as residential, commercial, and industrial electric-power wiring; and DC and AC motors, controls, and electrical distribution panels.
505 U.S. institutions graduated 35,302 Electrician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 46.0302, a specialization of Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (CIP 46.03), and leads most directly to the Electricians occupation (BLS SOC 47-2111).
About Electrician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain, and repair electric apparatus and systems such as residential, commercial, and industrial electric-power wiring; and DC and AC motors, controls, and electrical distribution panels. Includes instruction in the principles of electronics and electrical systems, wiring, power transmission, safety, industrial and household appliances, job estimation, electrical testing and inspection, and applicable codes and standards.
See also: 15.0303 - Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Electrician program, part of the Electrical and Power Transmission Installers field, prepares students to install, operate, maintain, and repair electrical systems in various settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial environments. This program is ideal for individuals seeking a hands-on career in the construction trades, focusing on essential electrical skills and knowledge.
Students in the Electrician program will gain critical skills in areas such as wiring, electrical systems, safety protocols, and job estimation. Coursework typically includes principles of electronics, electrical testing and inspection, and applicable codes and standards, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the trade.
Credentials awarded
What Electrician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years18,157 graduates / yr · 332 institutions51%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year11,757 graduates / yr · 212 institutions33%
- Associate's degree3,145 graduates / yr · 180 institutions8.9%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1,487 graduates / yr · 22 institutions4.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years756 graduates / yr · 29 institutions2.1%
Graduates over time
Electrician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 15,124 |
| 2013 | 13,859 |
| 2014 | 14,819 |
| 2015 | 13,520 |
| 2016 | 14,742 |
| 2017 | 15,488 |
| 2018 | 16,307 |
| 2019 | 17,517 |
| 2020 | 18,691 |
| 2021 | 19,582 |
| 2022 | 22,236 |
| 2023 | 25,763 |
| 2024 | 30,349 |
| 2025 | 35,302 |
Top 50 institutions for Electrician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 749 | 40% | — | $80,734 |
| 2 | Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 635 | 58% | — | $52,553 |
| 3 | Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 633 | 59% | — | $53,855 |
| 4 | City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 622 | 27% | — | — |
| 5 | Owensboro Community and Technical College Owensboro, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 551 | 54% | — | $49,137 |
| 6 | Apex Technical School Long Island City, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 549 | 78% | $17,771 | $30,816 |
| 7 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Union Union, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 520 | 75% | $26,378 | $32,841 |
| 8 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 464 | 54% | $9,377 | $20,568 |
| 9 | UEI College - Reseda Reseda, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 464 | 74% | $27,592 | — |
| 10 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 460 | 43% | — | $66,544 |
| 11 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Whitestone Whitestone, NYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 447 | 67% | $34,271 | $32,841 |
| 12 | Tulsa Welding School - Houston Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 393 | 70% | $34,116 | — |
| 13 | Gateway Community and Technical College Florence, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 358 | 59% | — | — |
| 14 | UEI College - Riverside Riverside, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 348 | 71% | $27,181 | — |
| 15 | Institute for Business and Technology San Jose, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 311 | 84% | $26,509 | $36,261 |
| 16 | UEI College - Chula Vista Chula Vista, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 306 | 71% | $28,465 | — |
| 17 | Lincoln College of Technology - Melrose Park Melrose Park, ILPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 302 | 68% | $25,508 | $40,219 |
| 18 | J F Ingram State Technical College Deatsville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 297 | 21% | — | — |
| 19 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Mahwah Mahwah, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 282 | 79% | $29,877 | $32,841 |
| 20 | UEI College - Bakersfield Bakersfield, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 279 | 68% | $29,687 | — |
| 21 | Summit College San Bernardino, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 277 | 62% | $25,402 | $37,990 |
| 22 | UEI College - West Covina West Covina, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 277 | 67% | $27,767 | — |
| 23 | UEI College - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 269 | 60% | $28,742 | — |
| 24 | SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 265 | 43% | — | $52,083 |
| 25 | UEI College - Stockton Stockton, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 265 | 71% | $27,036 | — |
| 26 | Pennco Tech - Blackwood Blackwood, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 264 | 72% | $23,217 | $33,390 |
| 27 | Ashland Community and Technical College Ashland, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of less than 12 weeks | 260 | 51% | — | $27,034 |
| 28 | Ogden - Weber Technical College Ogden, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 260 | 53% | — | $57,750 |
| 29 | UEI College - Garden Grove Garden Grove, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 259 | 63% | $26,221 | — |
| 30 | UEI College - Phoenix Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 258 | 57% | $32,886 | — |
| 31 | Somerset Community College Somerset, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of less than 12 weeks | 255 | 43% | — | $46,259 |
| 32 | UEI College - Ontario Ontario, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 254 | 66% | $27,167 | — |
| 33 | San Joaquin Valley College - Modesto Salida, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 253 | 77% | $25,571 | $43,388 |
| 34 | UEI College - Gardena Gardena, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 250 | 60% | $28,919 | — |
| 35 | National Career Education Citrus Heights, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 248 | 83% | $25,889 | $36,261 |
| 36 | Southern California Institute of Technology Anaheim, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 241 | 74% | $29,667 | $38,716 |
| 37 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 240 | 33% | — | — |
| 38 | Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 235 | 56% | — | — |
| 39 | Southern Careers Institute - Brownsville Brownsville, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 231 | 68% | $17,794 | $25,267 |
| 40 | Pitt Community College Winterville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 225 | 35% | — | — |
| 41 | UEI College - Huntington Park Huntington Park, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 218 | 70% | $29,313 | — |
| 42 | Tulsa Welding School - Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 218 | 73% | $28,537 | $30,684 |
| 43 | Northshore Technical Community College Lacombe, LAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 216 | 40% | — | $39,824 |
| 44 | Big Sandy Community and Technical College Prestonsburg, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 205 | 38% | — | $31,178 |
| 45 | San Joaquin Valley College - Ontario Ontario, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 201 | 64% | $26,900 | $43,388 |
| 46 | Pennco Tech - Bristol Bristol, PAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 200 | 84% | $22,272 | $33,494 |
| 47 | UEI College - Oceanside Oceanside, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 198 | 69% | $26,941 | — |
| 48 | Refrigeration School Inc Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 196 | 76% | $26,791 | $35,084 |
| 49 | Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad Ponce, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 196 | 95% | $8,859 | — |
| 50 | San Joaquin Valley College - Temecula Temecula, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 196 | 82% | $27,730 | $43,388 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Electrical and Power Transmission Installers field (CIP 46.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 51 states & territories
Where Electrician graduates come from. Each state links to all Electrical and Power Transmission Installers programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 47-2111, Electricians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Electrician program can pursue careers as electricians, with a job outlook that is much faster than average, featuring a projected growth rate of 9.5% and approximately 81,000 annual openings. The median wage for electricians is $62,350, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 46.0302
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electriciansprimary SOC 47-2111 | $63,190 | +9.5% Much faster than average | ~81,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers SOC 47-1011 | $79,920 | +5.3% Faster than average | ~74,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers SOC 49-2098 | $60,070 | +10.4% Much faster than average | ~9,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Signal and Track Switch Repairers SOC 49-9097 | $92,460 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Electrician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
- Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
- Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
- Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
- Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
- Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
Tools and technology used
Other Electrical and Power Transmission Installers specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (CIP 46.03).
Common questions
What types of jobs can I get with this program?+
Graduates can work as electricians, first-line supervisors of construction trades, or in related fields.
How long does the program take to complete?+
Programs typically offer awards ranging from less than 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, active listening, and electrical system knowledge.
What is the job outlook for electricians?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 9.5% and around 81,000 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Electrician?+
Electrician is CIP 46.0302 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (CIP 46.03). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain, and repair electric apparatus and systems such as residential, commercial, and industrial electric-power wiring; and DC and AC motors, controls, and electrical distribution panels. Includes instruction in the principles of electronics and electrical systems, wiring, power transmission, safety, industrial and household appliances, job estimation, electrical testing and inspection, and applicable codes and standards.
How many institutions offer Electrician programs?+
505 U.S. institutions reported Electrician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 51 states & territories, awarding 35,302 credentials in the year. That is 86.9% of all Electrical and Power Transmission Installers graduates.
How much do Electrician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Electricians occupation, which Electrician most directly leads to, pays a median of $63,190 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Electrical and Power Transmission Installers field report median earnings of $38,994 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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