Electrician Apprenticeship in North Carolina

Wages, programs & career outlook
NC Median Salary
$54,070/yr
-13% vs. national
National Median
$62,350/yr
NC Employment
23,660
Electricians employed
NC Sponsors
1189
Registered programs

North Carolina Wage Spread

Annual wages for Electricians in North Carolina across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$38,700
25th %ile
$47,000
Median
$54,070
75th %ile
$61,380
90th %ile
$72,170

Electrician Apprenticeship in North Carolina

The $54,070 median for North Carolina Electricians tracks close to the national all-occupation average. The value here is in the apprenticeship model: earn while you learn, graduate debt-free.

At $54,070 per year, North Carolina pays 13% less than the national Electrician median. The gap isn't dramatic but worth factoring into an apprenticeship decision.

With 9.5% projected growth and 81,000 openings per year, Electricians face a favorable job market. Retirements in the trade workforce amplify the need for trained replacements.

With 2.9% of the nation's Electricians (23,660 workers), North Carolina sits in the middle of the pack. Apprenticeship programs exist but may concentrate in metro areas rather than spread statewide.

Expect a 4-year commitment for a Electrician apprenticeship: 8,000 hours of supervised field work alongside coursework in electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, and hands-on wiring. Pay starts lower but scales up — most programs bump wages every six months.

Finding a Electrician apprenticeship in North Carolina starts with a broad search — 1,189 organizations sponsor registered programs. Community colleges, trade unions, and independent employers all participate.

The wage band for Electricians in North Carolina is narrow: $38,700 to $72,170 at the extremes. The $33,470 range means compensation is relatively standardized, often set by union contracts or prevailing wage rates.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in North Carolina

1189 registered apprenticeship sponsors in North Carolina. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
Lee Electrical Construction, LLC Aberdeen
NCWorks Career Center- Moore County Aberdeen
ADVANCE FIRE DEPARTMENT Advance
HILLSDALE METHODIST Advance
NCWorks Career Center- Hertford County Ahoskie
ROANOKE COOPERATIVE Ahoskie
Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center Ahoskie
City of Albemarle Albemarle
NCWorks Career Center- Stanly County Albemarle
Stanly Community College Albemarle
Stanly County Albemarle
Stanly County Schools Career and Technical Ed Albemarle
Clifton Excavation & Land Management LLC Angier Johnston County
Clifton Excavation and Land Management Angier
Apex Plumbing and Heating, Inc Apex
Construction Safety Academy, LLC Apex
Garden Ninjas, LLC Apex
Shook Construction Apex
TOWN OF APEX Apex
Town of Apex Fire Department Apex
Hubbell Industrial Controls, Inc. Archdale Randolph County
IV-S Metal Stamping, Inc. Archdale
Atlas Mold, Inc. Arden
BorgWarner Turbo Systems Arden
Accuchrome, LLC. Asheboro
+ 5 more sponsors in North Carolina

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Electricians make in North Carolina?
The BLS reports a median wage of $54,070/yr for Electricians in North Carolina (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
What is the length of a Electrician apprenticeship program?
The standard Electrician apprenticeship is 4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom education. Some programs offer accelerated paths for candidates with prior experience.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Electricians?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Electricians, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
Is there demand for Electricians?
The BLS projects 9.5% employment growth for Electricians through 2034 — strong demand. About 81000 positions open annually through both growth and retirements.
Where can I apply for a Electrician apprenticeship in North Carolina?
There are 1189 registered apprenticeship sponsors in North Carolina. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
How much do Electrician apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $27,035/yr in North Carolina). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Electrician in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in North Carolina

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.