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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive training to safely perform this highly skilled work. If you want to join the electrician workforce, you’ll be glad to know training is readily available throughout the Beehive state.
The growing demand for electricians in Utah — journeyman electricians, master electricians, residential journeyman electricians, residential master electricians, and electrical engineers — means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 52% growth rate for electricians in Utah and 7% nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of electrician jobs in Utah posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Utah Electrician Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.”
According to the BLS, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.
The Utah State Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) licenses every level of this workforce at the state level — requiring applicants to meet job experience and classroom instruction requirements. Even apprentices must be registered with the state. Most people entering the electrician industry in Utah learn on-the-job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or non-union apprenticeship or by working for an electrical contractor and taking classes at a local community college.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Utah:
Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City
Weber State University in Ogden
Mountainland Applied Technology College in Orem, Lehi
Davis Applied Technology College in Kaysville
Dixie Technical College in Saint George
Utah Apprenticeships
Utah Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee
Inside Wireman
Telecommunications Installer/Technician
Electrical Business: Some Utah businesses provide the on-the-job training while relying on community colleges to provide the necessary classroom instruction to meet U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and/or DOPL apprenticeship standards.
Electrician Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education, such as Utah.
There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Put simply, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in Utah like:
As stated earlier, in many cases but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
Electrical programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed electrician.
Typically, they include coursework in the fundamentals of the electrical trade. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers: A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the National Electric Code (NEC). Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:
Foundations of Mathematics
Industrial Safety Procedures
Direct Current
Alternating Current
Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols
Commercial Wiring
Residential Wiring
Electrical Controls
Diagnostic Troubleshooting
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Utah community colleges on average is $4,544 per year for in-state students and $13,647 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Apprenticeships are four years long and require 576 hours of classroom instruction. Most require candidates to have a high school diploma or GED.
Level of Difficulty
Electrician training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an electrical technician. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.
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School Comparison: At a Glance
The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Utah’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Apprenticeships have limited openings for candidates, and many of the programs below are available only to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill the 576 hours of required classroom training. After completing classroom training and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, candidates can apply for the journeyman exam.
Offers the required 576 hours of classroom instruction needed to complete an apprenticeship.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering, 63-69 credits
Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College
Offers the required 576 hours of classroom instruction needed to complete an apprenticeship.
Offers an Electrical Trade Preparation certificate (pre-apprenticeship).
Doesn’t offer apprenticeship training.
Offers a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.
Offers a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.
Mountainland Applied Technology College
Offers the required 576 hours of classroom instruction needed to complete an apprenticeship.
Davis Applied Technology College
Offers the required 576 hours of classroom instruction needed to complete an apprenticeship.
Bridgerland Applied Technology College
Offers the required 576 hours of classroom instruction needed to complete an apprenticeship.
Offers an Electronic Engineering Technology certificate - (pre-apprenticeship).
Offers a Residential Electrician program: Graduates receive the required classroom training and hands-on work experience needed to take journeyman licensing exam.
Offers a Commercial Electrician program: Graduates receive the required classroom training and hands-on work experience needed to take journeyman licensing exam.
Steps for Enrollment in Utah
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with you visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the JATC,Local Union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
Electrician Career Requirements in Utah
To recap, Utah requires education and on-the-job training to legally perform electrical work. To become eligible for a journeyman electrician license, you need to complete a formal trade school program (576 hours) and obtain four years (8,000 hours) of on-the-job electrical training, or complete 16,000 hours (eight years) of verified work experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician. To become eligible to take the master electrician exam, candidates must work for four years as a licensed journeyman electrician. Licensing exams are typically open book and based on the National Electrical Code.
After licensing, Utah electricians must complete continuing education to keep their electrician license active. Both journeyman and master electricians need to renew their licenses in even-numbered years and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education. A minimum of 12 hours must cover the National Electrical Code. Utah doesn’t offer reciprocity with other states, but electricians from select states can apply for a license without taking the Theory and Code portions of the licensing exam.
For a detailed explanation of Utah’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Utah Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Utah
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an electrician, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in Utah? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Utah for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $51,600
Intermediate 2-4 years: $61,500
Senior 4-6 years: $68,400
Supervisor > 7 years: $97,500
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Utah, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice. Remember, apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed electrician—is required to become a licensed electrician in Utah.
Utah’s Department of Workforce Services maintains a list of companies offering apprenticeships for all trades, including electricians.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Utah electricians. The Independent Electrical Contractors of Utah, a non-union trade group, offers apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.
For more information on Utah apprenticeship programs, visit the Utah Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee website.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada.
Southwest Idaho Electrical Training Center in Boise, ID (IBEW Local 291)
College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, NV
Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Utah. The opportunities are all around you.
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