Did you know that there’s currently an electrician shortage?
That means there’s plenty of electrical work that needs to be done, but not enough skilled professionals to do it.
And that means that the ones who are capable of doing it are making bank right now!
Even better news–you could be, too, if you followed these steps.
Does that sound like something you’d be interested in?
Keep reading to find out how to become an electrician in Kansas!
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Electrician Job Duties and Skills in Kansas
Unsure of what to expect as an electrician?
Here are some of the skills you’ll need to possess and duties you can look forward to performing as an electrician in Kansas!
KansasWorks.com states that the essential duties and responsibilities of an electrician are:
- Locating and diagnosing trouble in electrical systems or equipment.
- Using a variety of electrician’s hand tools and test & measurement instruments.
- Installing and repairing a variety of electrical equipment, such as generators, transformers, switchboards, controllers, circuit breakers, motors, heating units, conduit systems, or other transmission equipment.
- Working standard computations relating to load requirements of wiring or electrical equipment.
- Maintaining the general cleanliness and appearance of assigned spaces.
These are the necessary technical skills, but as for soft skills, electricians need to:
- Have excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Possess knowledge of computer software programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Have adequate research and critical thinking skills.
- Be able to deliver great customer service.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
It’s important for electricians to have a broad skillset and be willing to learn or develop the skills that they do not already possess.
How to Become an Electrician in Kansas
Becoming an electrician in Kansas may take some time, but if you stick to it, you can absolutely take a successful dive into this career path!
Here are the steps that you need to take in order to become a licensed electrician in the state of Kansas!
Graduate High School or Get a GED
Graduating high school or getting a GED is a necessity if you want to become an electrician.
Before taking the next steps, make sure you’ve completed this one!
Apprenticeships
After you’ve received your GED or high school diploma, securing an apprenticeship with a licensed professional is the next most important step.
You’ll want to ensure that you have two years of electrician apprentice experience because that is one of Kansas’ licensing requirements.
Technical Education
Kansas also requires that you complete 240 or more classroom hours before receiving your electrical license, so you’ll want to find a good school to study at.
You can try out a community college, technical college, or vocational college!
Either way, just make sure to find the program that suits you and that will help you reach your requirements.
Training Programs for Electricians in Kansas
Here are some institutions in Kansas that offer electrical training programs.
Wichita Electrical Training Center
At the Wichita Electrical Training Center, you can pursue the Wichita Electrical Apprenticeship.
It’s a four-year program that allows students to go to school two days out of every month and spend the rest of the month getting on-the-job training by working for an electrical contractor.
The program is 200 weeks, 900 hours long, and teaches electrical theory, electrical codes, and installation of electrical systems.
This is a great program for those who want to make money while studying!
Dodge City Community College
According to the dc3.edu, Dodge City Community College’s Electrical Technology program teaches:
- Safety
- Electrical theory
- Blueprint reading
- Wiring
- Electrical construction
- Residential and commercial electricity
- National Electrical Code.
You can’t go wrong with this well-rounded program!
Hutchinson Electrical Training Academy
Hutchinson Electrical Training Academy offers an apprenticeship program that allows students to train to reach Kansas’ licensing requirements as follows:
“First-year apprentices start as Level 1 and after the first 6 months of school and 1000 on-the-job training hours, reach level 2.
After completion of the first year of schooling and 2000 on-the-job training hours, reach level 3.
After completion of the second year of schooling and 4000 on-the-job training hours, reach level 4.
After completion of 3rd year of schooling and 6000 on-the-job training hours, reach level 5.
After completion of 4th year and 8000 on-the-job training hours, reach level 6.
After completion of the 5th year of schooling, 10000 on-the-job training hours, and successfully passing the Kansas Electrical Journeyman Test, reach Journeyman Classification.”
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Wichita Electrical Apprenticeship | 810 W 13th, Wichita, Kansas 67203 |
| Dodge City Community College | 2501 N 14th Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801 |
| Hutchinson Electrical Training Academy | 200 W 2nd Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501 |
Electrician Salaries in Kansas
Electricians in Kansas enjoy competitive compensation.
Most electricians will earn a minimum salary of $46,000, even when just starting out!
More experienced electricians can expect an average annual income of $60,000.
On the higher end of things, with years of experience, electricians in Kansas can expect to earn $70,000 or more.
So, partaking in a career as an electrician in Kansas is a great choice as it promises financial stability.
Plus, there are always plenty of opportunities for career growth!
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas City | $63,987 |
| Shawnee | $63,798 |
| Overland Park | $63,798 |
| Olathe | $63,625 |
| Lawrence | $61,644 |
| Wichita | $61,540 |
| Salina | $60,888 |
| Hutchinson | $60,888 |
| Topeka | $60,359 |
| Manhattan | $59,706 |
Regional Salary in Kansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | 150 | $53,040 | $25.5 | $75,010 | $36,270 |
| Manhattan, KS | 130 | $58,190 | $27.98 | $91,730 | $36,960 |
| Topeka, KS | 470 | $56,000 | $26.92 | $75,010 | $36,910 |
| Wichita, KS | 1,500 | $59,430 | $28.57 | $82,810 | $38,000 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do electricians have to be licensed in Kansas?
Yes, all electricians must be licensed to work legally in Kansas.
What kind of electrical licenses are there in Kansas?
There are three types of electrical licenses available in Kansas.
There is the journeyman electrician, master electrician, and electrical contractor licenses.
How many hours of classroom instruction are needed to get an electrical license in Kansas?
240 hours of classroom instruction in electrical technology are needed to be able to obtain an electrical license in Kansas.
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