How to Become an Electrician in Alabama

The demand for electricians continues to grow daily as other industries–such as maintenance and construction–and certain regions–such as urban areas and areas with a significant focus on using renewable energy sources–need more and more electrical work done. 

Electricians can expect to earn a steady income and have plenty of room to grow within their field.

If that sounds appealing to you and you’re a detail-oriented person with excellent problem-solving abilities who can adapt to new developments quickly, keep reading to find out how to become an electrician in Alabama!

Electrician Job Duties and Skills in Alabama

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states, “Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.”

Electricians have diverse responsibilities ranging from providing good customer service and maintaining records to doing maintenance inspections, installing electrical systems, and performing upgrades on outdated electrical systems. 

More duties an electrician may have include:

• Installing and maintaining wiring systems
• Installing and maintaining lighting systems
• Installing and maintaining control panels and systems
• Reviewing electrical blueprints
• Keeping electrical appliances up to code
• Inspecting circuit breakers
• Identifying electrical issues
• Replacing faulty wiring
• Repairing faulty equipment 

An electrician must deeply understand electrical systems, safety protocols, and current code requirements.

Some other skills needed include:

• Critical thinking skills
• The ability to use a wide variety of tools and other equipment
• The ability to communicate efficiently
• Basic math knowledge
• Good hand-eye coordination

Ultimately, being able to use a wide variety of tools, stay up to date on code, analyze problems, come up with solutions, and have a broad range of knowledge are some of the most essential skills an electrician can have.

How to Become an Electrician in Alabama

Becoming an electrician in Alabama isn’t a fast-paced process.

While it isn’t as difficult as it may seem, it will take time, as the most important thing is to gain a lot of experience and build knowledge of the craft over time.

According to the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board, In order to become an electrician, you must obtain a license, and to obtain a license, you’ll need to complete all of Alabama’s requirements.

Work Under A Licensed Technician

You’ll need to work under a licensed technician as part of the training program approved by the Board of Alabama.

This is a crucial step to becoming an electrician because it’s important for you to learn the valuable skills you need from a professional who already has the experience and expertise that you require.

Complete All Your Hours

You’ll need to complete 576 education hours and between 6,000 to 8,000 hours of work as an apprentice under a licensed technician before you can apply to be licensed. 

There are two routes you can take when it comes to completing the hours required to qualify for the licensing exam.

Technical Program

You can opt to go through a technical program, which will account for 2,000 of your working hours.

Keep in mind that you’ll still need to complete 6,000 working hours while working under a skilled electrician.

Technical programs are better for those who prefer more of a classroom environment.

You’ll get to learn the necessary skills for being an electrician alongside classmates and with a teacher who’ll be able to answer all your questions. 

Apprentice Program

If you’d prefer to take a more hands-on approach, you can choose to enter an apprenticeship program instead, in which case you’ll need to complete 8,000 hours.

You can look forward to spending less time in a classroom and more time out in the workforce during your apprenticeship!

Apply for Your License 

You can apply for your license through the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board, and you’ll have to take the 80-question journeyman exam after you’ve completed all your hours, but remember that you’ll need to show proof of completion.

If you pass your exam, you’ll be rewarded with a license!

Training Programs for Electricians in Alabama

Here are some institutions in Alabama that offer electrical training programs.

Chattahoochee Technical College

The Chattahoochee Technical College offers The Residential Electrician course, which teaches students the fundamental skills needed to work with residential electrical systems. 

According to their website, “No previous experience is required.

You will learn electrical theory, wiring and installation, safety procedures, the use of common hardware and materials, the use of building plans, and more.

You will also have access to more than 30 virtual simulations that simulate hands-on practice and 10 lessons on customer service, which is one of the most important soft skills employers are looking for and a skill that will help you grow quickly in your career.”

Columbus Technical College

As part of a partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, Columbus Technical College offers The Registered Apprenticeship program, which gives students the opportunity to attend classes part-time and work full-time in an industrial/trade occupation.

Once the apprenticeship is completed, the apprentices can expect to receive a U.S. DOL certificate!

This certificate will act as proof of the specialized training received in the apprentices’ occupation.

J F Drake State Community and Technical College

At J F Drake State Community and Technical College, you can earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Advanced Manufacturing with a major in Electrical. 

This degree will prepare students to work in several fields, including residential, commercial, and industrial wiring.

The program also promises to teach “Transformers, fluid power, national electrical code, motor controls, programmable logic controls (PLCs), AC/DC drives, industrial robotics, technical communications, and solid state devices.”

This is an excellent program for those looking to pursue journeyman electrician certification! 

Electrician Salaries in Alabama

After you’ve completed your technical program or apprenticeship, there will be plenty of job opportunities waiting for you! 

There are plenty of paths you can take with being an electrician.

You can specialize in a specific field of work, such as industrial electrical work or telecommunications.

You can also become an emergency response electrician, which means you can be the hero who gets the power back on after a bad storm!

Whichever route you take, you can expect to earn a decent wage right from the start!

While salaries vary city by city, you should expect to earn a minimum of $25,000 to 30,000 a year.

As you gain more experience, you’ll likely earn upwards of $50,000 a year!

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Huntsville	$62,408
Birmingham	$61,592
Gadsden	$61,478
Tuscaloosa	$61,184
Decatur	$60,354
Mobile	$60,352
Phenix City	$59,352
Auburn	$58,895
Montgomery	$58,525
Dothan	$56,156

Regional Salary in Alabama

* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Electricians, OCC Code 47-2111, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortest time to become an electrician in alabama?

You’ll need to complete 576 education hours and work a minimum of 8,000 hours as an apprentice (Four to five years of full-time work) or complete a two-year technical program, which will count as one year of experience plus your education hours, which will leave you with 6,000 hours left to work as an apprentice.

Can you do electrical work in Alabama without a license?

According to the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board, by law, owners of the property and any of their full-time, W-2 employees are allowed to do electrical work on the property without a license.

Apprentices do not require a license to do electrical work, however, they must work under a licensed electrician and may need to pass an aptitude test before beginning work.

All electrical contractors must have a license to work.

How long is electrician school in Alabama?

Electrician school in Alabama usually lasts between three to five years, depending on which learning path you choose to take.

Electrician Info by State