Virginia is an excellent place to work as an electrician!
There is more demand for electricians than there is supply.
But what does that mean?
It means those who are entering the electrical field get to look forward to great (high) pay and a lot of stable work!
If this all sounds good to you, keep reading to learn how you can become an electrician in Virginia!
Table of Contents
Electrician Job Duties and Skills In Virginia
Some of the skills and duties of an electrician in Virginia include the following:
Soft Skills:
- Good communication
- Customer service
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Blueprint reading
Hard Skills:
- Installing and maintaining electrical wires
- Inspecting electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers.
- Identifying electrical problems using a variety of testing devices.
- Repairing or replacing wiring, equipment, or fixtures using hand tools and power tools.
These are just to list a few!
How to Become an Electrician In Virginia
One – Meet the Education Requirements
In Virginia, you must gain 240 hours of classroom training.
You won’t be able to get your electrical license without meeting these criteria, so make sure you do.
But how do you get the hours?
You’ll have to enroll in a school of your choice.
You can attend a community college, or you can choose to go through a technical or vocational college instead.
Two – Meet the Work Requirements
Much like the the obligatory classroom hours, Virginia has required work hours too.
You’ll need to gain about 8,000 hours of work experience before you can qualify for the license.
You can gain this work experience by joining an apprenticeship program and becoming an apprentice.
This is also a great way to gain more classroom hours, as most apprenticeships will offer at least a few if not all of the classroom hours you’ll need to get your license.
Three – Apply for Your License
It will take you a couple of years to gain both the class and work experience required to obtain your license, but once you do, you’re free to apply for it!
You’ll have to take a licensing exam, and if you pass, you’ll receive your license!
Training Programs for Electricians In Virginia
Virginia Technical Institute
Virginia Technical Institute’s Electrical program includes an orientation to the electrical trade, electrical safety, an introduction to electrical circuits, electrical theory, an introduction to the National Electrical Code, and more.
It also covers raceways and fittings, conductors and cables, basic electrical construction drawings, residential electrical services, conduit bending, conductor installations, and so on.
Virginia Tech goes on to list more of what their program covers as follows:
- “Conductor terminations and splices
- Grounding and bonding
- Circuit breakers and fuses
- Control systems and fundamental concepts
- Load calculations
- Transformers
- Commercial electrical systems
- Standby and emergency systems
- Fire alarm systems”
Etcetera.
So you can see that the course is incredibly detailed and covers a wide range of topics!
It makes for an excellent choice for a newbie electrician.
Richmond Electricians’ JATC
Richmond Electricians’ JATC program teaches all the basics of being an electrician and entering the electrical industry.
Students can learn about wiring, installations, blueprint reading, and more.
The Richmond Electricians’ JATC has been a State of Virginia and U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship since 1946 and the program is IBEW and NECA approved, so you know it’s legit!
Norfolk Technical Center
Norfolk Technical Center offers an Independent Electrical program that covers safety, math hand tools, basic rigging, hand bending, anchors and supports, and more.
It also provides students with an introduction to blueprints, an introduction to
the National Electric Code, and an introduction to conductors, services, voltage drop, DC theory, and residential wiring.
As you advance through the four-year program, you will be introduced to even more new and intricate concepts that will prepare you for an entry-level job as an electrician.
This is a great program for anyone looking to complete an apprenticeship that will help them advance in their career.
You should be able to start in the electrical field with excellent recommendations from the highly skilled instructors and industry professionals who will be training you throughout the program.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Virginia Technical Institute | 201 Ogden Rd, Altavista, VA 24517 |
| Richmond Electricians' JATC | 11255 Air Park Rd, Ashland, VA 23005 |
| Norfolk Technical Center | 1330 N Military Hwy, Norfolk, VA 23502 |
Electrician Salaries In Virginia
In the state of Virginia, entry-level electricians are likely to earn about $47,000 per year.
But as for the average salary, most electricians in Virginia will make $64,000 per year or more!
The amount you earn can depend on a lot of different factors, such as your experience, expertise, and even the city you reside in.
Check out the chart below to see how Virginia’s electricians’ pay can vary city by city.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alexandria | $72,647 |
| Richmond | $64,464 |
| Virginia Beach | $62,389 |
| Newport News | $61,788 |
| Hampton | $61,788 |
| Norfolk | $61,449 |
| Portsmouth | $61,449 |
| Chesapeake | $61,371 |
| Roanoke | $60,334 |
| Lynchburg | $59,856 |
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 250 | $55,140 | $26.51 | $69,370 | $37,090 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 560 | $57,840 | $27.81 | $81,140 | $38,490 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 260 | $54,440 | $26.17 | $75,940 | $37,040 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 390 | $54,310 | $26.11 | $77,240 | $33,020 |
| Richmond, VA | 3,480 | $56,720 | $27.27 | $77,720 | $36,400 |
| Roanoke, VA | 870 | $51,820 | $24.92 | $73,060 | $37,600 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 160 | $57,230 | $27.51 | $82,160 | $36,650 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 5,090 | $56,760 | $27.29 | $74,940 | $38,650 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 150 | $57,250 | $27.53 | $78,540 | $38,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many classroom hours are required for electricians in Virginia?
240 classroom hours are required to get an electrical license in Virginia.
Does an electrician need a license in Virginia?
Yes. You cannot legally work as an electrician in Virginia without obtaining a license.
What is the hourly rate for electricians in Virginia?
Between $24 to $30 an hour.
Electrician Info by State
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