If you’re the kind of person who enjoys doing technical work, has a strong work ethic, and enjoys a fast-paced environment that may require you to adapt to new circumstances quickly, you should definitely look into becoming an electrician!
Electricians keep society as we know it running smoothly by ensuring a constant, safe, and reliable connection to power.
Needless to say, it’s an important job!
If it sounds appealing to you, keep reading to find out how to become an electrician in Louisiana!
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Electrician Job Duties and Skills in Louisiana
You may be wondering what kind of skills one would need to possess in order to become an electrician in Louisiana and what kind of duties you can expect to perform on the job once you’ve officially become certified.
GovernmentJobs.com states that electricians can expect to do the following:
- Install, test, and replace components of electrical circuitry and internal power distribution systems, including conduit, wiring, connections, receptacles, breakers, panels, and switches.
- Test, repair, and replace or install electrical generators, transformers, and uninterrupted power systems.
- Install, maintain, and repair motors, controls, and other electrical components of equipment and appliances, including heating, ventilation, pumping, and solid-state control systems.
- Install, test, and repair doorbells, buzzers, thermostats, lighting fixtures, and communications systems.
- Uses tools and equipment of the electrical trade.
As you can see, being an electrician means working with your hands, performing technical tasks, and using tools to assist in helping you work on a wide variety of projects.
Being an electrician means adapting to versatility.
You’ll need to be prepared to work on anything from small, simple doorbell repairs to larger tasks, such as replacing electrical panels.
On top of that, you should also possess some soft skills, such as:
- Good communication
- Ability to provide good customer service
- High attention to detail
- Great leadership capabilities
All in all, you can’t expect to be a one-trick pony when working as an electrician.
How to Become an Electrician in Louisiana
In order to become an electrician in Louisiana, you must be willing to put in the hard work!
Get a High School Diploma or GED
To start your journey of becoming an electrician in Louisiana, it’s essential to have a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
Make sure you’ve got one or the other before moving on to the next step!
Pursue Apprenticeship
After getting your diploma or GED, you’ll want to get hands-on electrical experience and training under the guidance of experienced professionals.
You can do this by embarking on an apprenticeship!
An apprenticeship will also ensure that you complete all the necessary working hours required to obtain an electrical license in Louisiana.
8,000 hours of on-the-job experience are required, and an apprenticeship will help with that!
Find The Right School
There are also 1,000 classroom hours required to obtain your electrical license in Louisiana.
So, you’ll want to find an institution that offers specialized courses that delve into electrical theory, safety practices, and hands-on training.
You can try out a technical or vocational school or a community college.
Make sure to research so you can discover whatever works best for you!
Training Programs for Electricians in Louisiana
Here are some institutions in Louisiana that offer electrical training programs.
South Louisiana Community College
South Louisiana Community College offers an Electrician program that teaches how to install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical circuits.
Solacc.edu says, “The program consists of technical courses designed to develop skills in installation, testing, and troubleshooting of electrical equipment, fixtures, and wiring.”
You can pursue an Associate of Applied Science (Technical Studies) in Electrician or a Technical Diploma in Electrician Degree.
You can also opt to take the 5-month short-term Electrical Training Program if you’d prefer to take a quicker path to getting a job in the electrical field.
ITI Technical College
ITI Technical College offers a 12-month Electrical Technology (Certificate) program that will provide a solid background in the use of basic circuitry used in residential, commercial, and modern industrial applications.
Iticollege.edu guarantees that “Students will learn about AC and DC motors, motor controls, switch relay systems, transformers, solid-state logic and control functions, safety practices, lighting systems, the National Electric Code (NEC), blueprint reading, and other areas are thoroughly covered.”
The program is designed to prepare students for a diverse range of job positions, such as:
- Electrical Contractor
- Master Electrician
- Field Service Technician
And more.
Northshore Technical Community College
Northshore Technical Community College’s Electrician Program provides “a basic core of specialized instruction and practical shop experience.”
According to Northshorecollege.edu, Students who successfully complete the Electrician Program will be able to:
- Wire residential, commercial, and industrial structures utilizing appropriate methods and applications.
- Draw, wire, and connect basic motor controls.
- Draw, wire, and connect multiple switching locations controlling luminaries.
And more.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| South Louisiana Community College | 1101 Bertrand Dr, Lafayette, LA 70506 |
| ITI Technical College | 13944 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70817 |
| Northshore Technical Community College | 111 Pride Dr, Hammond, LA 70401 |
Electrician Salaries in Louisiana
Electricians in Louisiana can expect to receive competitive compensation in exchange for their expertise.
While salaries vary city by city, in most cases, you should expect to earn a minimum of 45,000 even during the entry-level stage of your career.
On average, most electricians in Louisiana will earn around $60,000 per year, while more experienced electricians can earn nearly $80k or more!
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $63,891 |
| Kenner | $63,857 |
| Baton Rouge | $61,331 |
| Shreveport | $60,000 |
| Bossier City | $60,000 |
| Lafayette | $59,502 |
| Lake Charles | $59,137 |
| New Iberia | $59,154 |
| Monroe | $58,773 |
| Alexandria | $57,820 |
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 490 | $51,580 | $24.8 | $60,790 | $40,210 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 3,710 | $57,570 | $27.68 | $79,830 | $35,670 |
| Hammond, LA | 120 | $48,850 | $23.49 | $63,150 | $30,870 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | 400 | $56,480 | $27.16 | $77,170 | $37,960 |
| Lafayette, LA | 1,090 | $52,480 | $25.23 | $73,110 | $31,780 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 860 | $58,140 | $27.95 | $85,090 | $37,520 |
| Monroe, LA | 410 | $46,040 | $22.14 | $59,830 | $28,380 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 2,460 | $58,220 | $27.99 | $80,090 | $35,120 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 790 | $48,130 | $23.14 | $66,180 | $31,510 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do electrical work in Louisiana without a license?
According to NextInsurance.com, “Louisiana does not require a license for electricians doing residential or commercial work as long as the value of any single project does not exceed $10,000, including labor and materials.” However there are some exceptions, Electricianclasses.com has more info regarding this question.
How many questions are on the electrical work statewide exam in Louisiana?
Examprep.org states that there are 80 multiple-choice questions on the exam.
How much is the hourly rate for an electrician in Louisiana?
Depending on experience, the hourly rate for an electrician in Louisiana is most often between $22 to $28.
Highly experienced electricians can sometimes expect to make upwards of $30 an hour!
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