The Electrician's Career Map
Your Path. Your Wire.
Scroll to trace the journey — every node reveals what it takes.
Choose Your Path
Every article, filtered to your stage.
How to Pick the Right JATC Program in Your State
The difference between IBEW-affiliated and independent apprenticeship programs — and why it matters for your first paycheck.
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The 8,000-Hour Clock: Making Every Apprentice Hour Count
A breakdown of how apprenticeship hours are tracked, verified, and what happens when a site closes mid-program.
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Journeyman License Exam: State-by-State Breakdown
From California's Title 8 to Texas's TDLR — every state has its own rules. Here's what 47 states actually test.
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The NEC 2023 Changes Every Journeyman Must Know
Arc-fault requirements, EV charging circuits, and the new rules on service equipment that will show up on your next exam.
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Master Electrician Exam: The 4 Topics That Fail 60% of Testers
Load calculations, service entrance sizing, motor branch circuits, and transformer math. Deep practice problems inside.
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From Master Card to Contractor License: The Business Side
Bond requirements, liability insurance minimums, and the one contract clause that protects you from change-order disputes.
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ICC Electrical Inspector Certification: What the Test Actually Covers
The E1, E2, and E3 exams broken down by chapter weight — and the three NEC sections inspectors get asked about most.
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Residential vs. Commercial: Which Apprenticeship Track Pays More at 10 Years?
A decade-long salary comparison across five metro areas — the numbers might change which union hall you walk into.
Find Your Next StepYour Current Stage
Your State
Specialty Track
Free Download
The Complete Apprenticeship Checklist
47 items across 5 stages. Every document, exam, and milestone — in one printable PDF.
Download Free PDFBy The Numbers
Every stage, every data point.
Salary ranges from BLS data. Hour requirements per IBEW standards. Exam names current to 2026.
Apprentice Electrician
Enroll in a JATC program, log OJT hours, pass module exams. Your wage scales up every 6 months.
Salary
$18 – $28
per hour
Hours
8,000 OJT Hours
Exam
NCCER Core + Modules 1–4
JATC / IBEW
Timeline
0 – 5 Years
Journeyman Electrician
Work independently under permit. Most states require 70–80% on a 80-question NEC-based exam.
Salary
$28 – $45
per hour
Hours
4,000 Journeyman Hrs
Exam
State Journeyman License
State Electrical Board
Timeline
5 – 8 Years
Master Electrician
Design and sign off on electrical systems. Required to pull permits in most jurisdictions.
Salary
$45 – $70
per hour
Hours
2+ Yrs as Journeyman
Exam
Master Electrician Exam
State Licensing Board
Timeline
8 – 12 Years
Electrical Contractor
Own and operate an electrical contracting business. Requires master card, business license, and general liability.
Salary
$80K – $200K
annual
Hours
Business License + Bond
Exam
Contractor License Exam
State Contractor Board
Timeline
12+ Years
Electrical Inspector
Enforce the NEC on behalf of AHJ. Government salary, benefits, and a 9-to-5 schedule. High demand, low supply.
Salary
$55K – $95K
annual
Hours
ICC Certification
Exam
ICC E1 / E2 / E3
Int'l Code Council
Timeline
10+ Years Field
The Archive
Essential reading. Dog-eared.
The Union Hall vs. Non-Union Shop: An Honest 10-Year Comparison
Pension, portability, and politics — what the YouTube electricians won't tell you.
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Arc Flash 101: What Every Apprentice Learns After Their First Incident Report
The physics behind the flash, the PPE that actually matters, and the NFPA 70E table you need memorized.
Load Calculation Practice: 12 Problems from Real Master Exams
NEC 220 walkthrough with actual numbers.
The Solar Electrician's Crossover Guide
How a commercial journeyman transitions to PV installation without starting over.
480V Panel: What's Behind the Lock
A field guide to high-voltage distribution in commercial buildings.
Free Resource
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Checklist. Free.
47 items. 5 career stages. Every document, exam, milestone, and union hall tip — organized into one printable PDF that fits in your tool bag.
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