Electrician: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepares individuals for careers in electrical systems installation, maintenance, and repair across residential, commercial, and industrial environments. This program emphasizes hands-on technical expertise and theoretical knowledge essential for safe and efficient operation of electrical infrastructure.
- Electrical Systems Fundamentals: Explores core concepts of electricity, circuit behavior, and the operation of electrical components within various system types.
- Wiring and Conduit Installation: Covers proper techniques for installing and routing electrical wiring and conduit in diverse building environments, following industry standards.
- Power Transmission and Distribution: Focuses on the principles and practices of delivering electrical power from sources to end-use points with efficiency and safety.
- Motor and Control Systems: Provides in-depth training on the installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of both DC and AC motors and associated control devices.
- Electrical Safety and Code Compliance: Emphasizes adherence to national and local electrical codes, safety protocols, and best practices to prevent hazards and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Electrical Testing and Inspection: Teaches the use of diagnostic tools and inspection methods to evaluate system performance, identify faults, and verify system integrity.
- Job Estimation and Project Planning: Develops skills in assessing project scope, calculating material and labor requirements, and preparing accurate cost estimates.
- Residential and Commercial Applications: Applies electrical knowledge to real-world settings, including home electrical systems, lighting, HVAC controls, and commercial building infrastructure.
Electrician Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Electrician Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Electrician degrees, including Signal and Track Switch Repairers, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers and Electricians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,638,380 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signal and Track Switch Repairers 49-9097 | $83,600 | $57,410 - $104,860 | 8,210 | $40.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers 47-1011 | $78,690 | $51,290 - $126,690 | 806,080 | $37.83 |
| Electricians 47-2111 | $62,350 | $39,430 - $106,030 | 742,580 | $29.98 |
| Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers 49-2098 | $59,300 | $38,410 - $81,980 | 81,510 | $28.51 |
Salary Comparison
Electrician Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $52,977 in Arkansas to $93,800 in Massachusetts—a 77% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, Oregon, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,638,380 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Electrician by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Electrician programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Electrician is found at NUC University (NUC) (700 graduates), Lincoln Technical Institute, Union (573 graduates), Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) (556 graduates), City Colleges of Chicago, Richard J Daley College (535 graduates), and Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (527 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 19,880 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUC University (NUC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
700 | N/A | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | nuc.edu |
| Lincoln Technical Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
573 | N/A | Union, New Jersey | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
556 | N/A | Elizabethtown, Kentucky | Public | elizabethtown.kctcs.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
535 | N/A | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
527 | N/A | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
527 | N/A | Owensboro, Kentucky | Public | owensboro.kctcs.edu |
| Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
494 | N/A | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | southcentral.kctcs.edu |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
494 | N/A | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | bluegrass.kctcs.edu |
| Apex Technical School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
455 | N/A | Long Island City, New York | Private | apexschool.com |
| Somerset Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
379 | N/A | Somerset, Kentucky | Public | somerset.kctcs.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
374 | N/A | Reseda, California | Private | uei.edu |
| Gateway Community and Technical College (GCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
319 | N/A | Florence, Kentucky | Public | gateway.kctcs.edu |
| Summit College |
Other Award
|
313 | N/A | San Bernardino, California | Private | summitcollege.edu |
| SOWELA Technical Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
309 | N/A | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Public | sowela.edu |
| Lincoln Technical Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
306 | N/A | Whitestone, New York | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
297 | N/A | West Covina, California | Private | uei.edu |
| Porter & Chester Institute (PCI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
289 | N/A | Bridgeport, Connecticut | Private | porterchester.edu |
| Southern California Institute of Technology (SCIT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
273 | N/A | Anaheim, California | Private | scitech.edu |
| Institute for Business and Technology (IBT) |
Other Award
|
271 | N/A | Santa Clara, California | Private | ibt.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
268 | N/A | Riverside, California | Private | uei.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
265 | N/A | Melrose Park, Illinois | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Tulsa Welding School (TWS) |
Other Award
|
261 | N/A | Houston, Texas | Private | tws.edu |
| Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
259 | N/A | Prestonsburg, Kentucky | Public | bigsandy.kctcs.edu |
| San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
256 | N/A | Ontario, California | Private | sjvc.edu |
| Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
248 | N/A | Ashland, Kentucky | Public | ashland.kctcs.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
244 | N/A | Bakersfield, California | Private | uei.edu |
| Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
241 | N/A | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | etepr.edu |
| Lincoln Technical Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
233 | N/A | Mahwah, New Jersey | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Pennco Tech |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
232 | N/A | Blackwood, New Jersey | Private | penncotech.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
231 | N/A | Stockton, California | Private | uei.edu |
| CBT Technology Institute |
Other Award
|
230 | N/A | Hialeah, Florida | Private | cbt.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
225 | N/A | Sacramento, California | Private | uei.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
224 | N/A | Chula Vista, California | Private | uei.edu |
| UEI College (UEI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
210 | N/A | Huntington Park, California | Private | uei.edu |
| San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
202 | N/A | Salida, California | Private | sjvc.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
202 | N/A | Garden Grove, California | Private | uei.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
189 | N/A | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
189 | N/A | Temecula, California | Private | sjvc.edu |
| Pennco Tech |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
187 | N/A | Bristol, Pennsylvania | Private | penncotech.edu |
| Southern Careers Institute (SCI) |
Other Award
|
186 | N/A | Brownsville, Texas | Private | scitexas.edu |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
176 | N/A | Paducah, Kentucky | Public | westkentucky.kctcs.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
170 | N/A | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| Southern Careers Institute |
Other Award
|
169 | N/A | San Antonio, Texas | Private | scitexas.edu |
| Pitt Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
166 | N/A | Winterville, North Carolina | Public | pittcc.edu |
| National Career Education (NCE) |
Other Award
|
165 | N/A | Citrus Heights, California | Private | nce.edu |
| Foothill College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
164 | N/A | Los Altos Hills, California | Public | foothill.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
163 | N/A | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
157 | N/A | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | uei.edu |
| Polytech Adult Education |
Other Award
|
156 | N/A | Woodside, Delaware | Public | polytechworks.com |
| Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
153 | N/A | Lacombe, Louisiana | Public | northshorecollege.edu |
| Advanced Training Institute (ATI) |
Other Award
|
153 | N/A | Las Vegas, Nevada | Private | atitraining.edu |
| Bevill State Community College (BSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
147 | N/A | Jasper, Alabama | Public | bscc.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
146 | N/A | Oceanside, California | Private | uei.edu |
| St Philip's College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
143 | N/A | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Maysville Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
142 | N/A | Maysville, Kentucky | Public | maysville.kctcs.edu |
| Tulsa Welding School (TWS) |
Other Award
|
141 | N/A | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | tws.edu |
| Lincoln Technical Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
140 | N/A | Shelton, Connecticut | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| MotoRing Technical Training Institute (MTTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
138 | N/A | East Providence, Rhode Island | Private | mtti.edu |
| San Joaquin Valley College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
131 | N/A | Fresno, California | Private | sjvc.edu |
| Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
130 | N/A | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augustatech.edu |
| Independent Training & Apprenticeship Program (I-TAP) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
127 | N/A | Sacramento, California | Private | itap.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
126 | N/A | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| Refrigeration School Inc (RSI) |
Other Award
|
121 | N/A | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | rsi.edu |
| Erie 1 BOCES |
Residency
|
118 | N/A | West Seneca, New York | Public | e1b.org |
| Lamson Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
114 | N/A | San Antonio, Texas | Private | lamson.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
113 | N/A | Columbia, Maryland | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
111 | N/A | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
111 | N/A | Marietta, Georgia | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education (BPACE) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
108 | N/A | Baldwin Park, California | Public | bpace.bpusd.net |
| Lincoln Technical Institute (Lincoln Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
107 | N/A | East Windsor, Connecticut | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Tulsa Welding School (TWS) |
Other Award
|
107 | N/A | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | tws.edu |
| InterCoast Colleges |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
106 | N/A | Fairfield, California | Private | intercoast.edu |
| United Education Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
103 | N/A | Las Vegas, Nevada | Private | uei.edu |
| Lincoln College of Technology (LTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
101 | N/A | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | lincolntech.edu |
| Ogden-Weber Technical College |
Residency
Other Award
|
101 | N/A | Ogden, Utah | Public | otech.edu |
| Hinds Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
99 | N/A | Raymond, Mississippi | Public | hindscc.edu |
| Delta Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
98 | N/A | Horn Lake, Mississippi | Private | deltatechnicalcollege.com |
| CBT Technology Institute (CBT) |
Other Award
|
98 | N/A | Cutler Bay, Florida | Private | cbt.edu |
| CET |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
98 | N/A | Soledad, California | Private | cetweb.edu |
| South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
97 | N/A | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | solacc.edu |
| Mech-Tech College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
95 | N/A | Caguas, Puerto Rico | Private | mechtech.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
92 | N/A | Mesa, Arizona | Private | uei.edu |
| Fletcher Technical Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
91 | N/A | Schriever, Louisiana | Public | fletcher.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
90 | N/A | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
88 | N/A | Paterson, New Jersey | Private | hohokus.edu |
| Orleans Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
87 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | orleanstech.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
85 | N/A | Ontario, California | Private | uei.edu |
| InterCoast Colleges |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
85 | N/A | West Covina, California | Private | intercoast.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
84 | N/A | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Dixie Technical College |
Other Award
|
84 | N/A | Saint George, Utah | Public | dixietech.edu |
| Tidewater Community College (TCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
83 | N/A | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | tcc.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
83 | N/A | Gardena, California | Private | uei.edu |
| Madisonville Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
82 | N/A | Madisonville, Kentucky | Public | madisonville.kctcs.edu |
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Associate's
|
82 | N/A | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
| Perry Technical Institute (Perry Tech) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
82 | N/A | Yakima, Washington | Private | perrytech.edu |
| Liceo de Arte y Tecnologia (LAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
82 | N/A | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | liceo.edu |
| Central Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
81 | N/A | Grand Island, Nebraska | Public | cccneb.edu |
| Rio Salado College |
Other Award
|
80 | N/A | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
| Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
80 | N/A | Hazard, Kentucky | Public | hazard.kctcs.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Electrician programs
How much can I earn with a Electrician degree?
Salaries for Electrician graduates vary by role and location. Signal and Track Switch Repairers earn a median of $83,600 annually, while First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn around $78,690. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Massachusetts average $93,800 compared to $52,977 in Arkansas. Approximately 1,638,380 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Electrician programs?
Currently 494 accredited institutions offer Electrician degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include NUC University (NUC) (700 graduates), Lincoln Technical Institute, Union (573 graduates), and Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) (556 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Electrician growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 15,702 in 2010 to 30,349 in 2023-24. This represents a 93% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Electrician degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Signal and Track Switch Repairers, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, and Electricians. Related occupations employ approximately 1,638,380 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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