Becoming an electrician in Washington

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4 paid apprenticeships and 1 school program are listed here.

Jump to: License · Training · Pay

Licensing
Statewide worker license
Time to qualify
8,000 hours for the journeyman-level license
Median pay
$95,220 $45.78 an hour
Outlook
2,490 openings a year, projected · 6.5% growth, 2024–2034

Do I need a license?

Yes. Washington licenses electricians statewide. The journeyman-level credential is the General Journey-Level Electrician—01, issued by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Electrical Program. It requires at least 8,000 hours of experience. Source: Washington State Legislature (RCW 19.28.161), checked .

Before you start: You need this state credential before you start electrical work in Washington. Credential: Electrical training certificate, issued by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Official source, checked .

Your path, step by step

  1. Electrical Trainee Certificate

    Experience
    Not stated
    Classroom
    Not stated
    Exam
    Not stated

    Source: Washington L&I Electrical Program, Electrical trainee page · Find a paid apprenticeship in Washington

  2. General Journey-Level Electrician—01

    Experience
    8,000 hours
    Classroom
    96 hours
    Exam
    Required
    Holding the previous license
    Not stated

    Source: Washington L&I Electrical Program, Electrician page

  3. General Journey-Level Master Electrician—01

    Experience
    Not stated
    Classroom
    Not stated
    Exam
    Required
    Holding the previous license
    At least 4 years

    Source: Washington L&I Electrical Program, Master electrician certificate page

Each step lists what its official source states for that license. Hours aren't added up across steps; a step says whether its hours include earlier steps' only where its source does. "Not stated" means the source doesn't give it. Checked .

Full Washington licensing requirements · 38 more licenses · How licensing works

How do I train?

Apprenticeships pay you while you learn. Schools teach first, then you find work. Which is right for me?

Paid apprenticeships 4

All 4 Washington apprenticeships →

School programs 1

Washington schools (1)

What does it pay?

What the work pays here, and how to decide.

Electricians in Washington earn a median of $95,220 a year ($45.78 an hour), according to BLS May 2025 OEWS estimates. That is about 51% above the national median of $63,190. About one in ten electricians here earns under $52,170 a year and about one in ten over $133,950.

Employment is projected to grow 6.5% over 2024–2034, with about 2,490 openings a year.

Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS · Projections Central · Washington salary details

Nearby states: Idaho 2 · Oregon 2

Listings here last checked