How to Become an Electrician in Idaho

Electricians have the extremely important job of keeping society functioning as it should.

Without electricians, we wouldn’t be able to fix power outages, keep circuit breakers from exploding, or keep the electrical wiring in our homes from malfunctioning.

Yet, these days, there is more demand than there is supply for electricians.

Which on the bright side, means this profession offers plenty of job opportunities and financial security to those who choose to pursue it!

If that sounds good to you, then keep reading to discover the steps you can take to become an electrician in Idaho.

Electrician Job Duties and Skills in Idaho

GovernmentJobs.com lists some job duties and skills for electricians as:

• Installs and maintains electrical devices and materials such as conduit, conductors, switchgear, control devices, breakers and motors.
• Checks and tests life safety devices, exit and emergency lighting, fire alarm systems, and emergency generators
• Services and repairs pumps, air compressors, starters, motors and similar equipment.
• Troubleshoots, tests, locates, and repairs electrical circuits and equipment.
• Plans, designs, lays out, and completes installation, modification, and repair of electrical systems, controls, lighting, and equipment.
• Inspects and reviews contracted work for compliance to contract specifications.
• Repairs, maintains, and troubleshoots boilers, chillers, water heating equipment.
• Performs maintenance on mechanical, electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems.

And more.

You’ll also want to make sure you have some soft skills, such as:

• Analytical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Computer skills
• Basic math skills
• Customer service skills

Being an electrician means needing to be skilled in a wide variety of areas.

If you aren’t already, that’s okay, but you must always be willing to expand your knowledge in order to thrive in this career.

How to Become an Electrician in Idaho

If you want to become an electrician while residing in Idaho, make sure to follow these steps.

Make Sure You Have All Educational Requirements

You’ll first have to make sure that you already have the educational credentials required to pursue this path.

You must have graduated from high school or obtained a GED.

Make sure to get your diploma or GED before moving on to the next step!

Apprenticeship Program

Enrolling in a good apprenticeship program will help you succeed in your journey to becoming an electrician.

Joining one will ensure that you meet all of Idaho’s licensing requirements.

One of those requirements is that you have 6,000 hours of electrical work experience.

An apprenticeship should help you obtain that experience!

Apply for Your License 

After fulfilling all necessary requirements, you can visit The Idaho Division of Building Safety (IDBS) to apply for your license.

The exam will be about four hours long, with one hundred questions on it. 

In order to pass it, you’ll need to score 70% or higher.

If you pass it, congratulations because you’ll be rewarded with a license!

Training Programs for Electricians in Idaho

Here are some institutions in Idaho that offer electrical training programs.

North Idaho College Workforce Training Center

The NIC Workforce Training Center offers a Federal and State-approved apprenticeship program, which provides 144 hours of instruction.

The A.A.S. (Associate of Applied Science) Degree is also available through North Idaho College for Electrical, Plumbing, and HVACR apprentice students.

This is a great program for those who need to earn more working hours to obtain their license.

Southwestern Idaho Electrical

The Southwestern Idaho Electrical JATC is a prestigious apprenticeship program that offers students knowledge, insight, and hands-on experience with certain skills such as:

• Establishing temporary power during construction
• Establishing grounding systems
• Installing electrical service to buildings and other structures
• Establishing power distribution within a project
• Planning and installing raceway systems
  Installing new wiring and repairing old wiring
• Providing power and controls to motors, HVAC, and other equipment
• Installing receptacles, lighting systems, and fixtures

And more.

The five-year program also goes over the following:

• The National Electrical Code
• How to work with energized circuits
• Electrical schematic diagrams
• First Aid
• Hazardous materials
• Specific job safety rules

It’s a well-rounded program that offers extensive knowledge to all the students who take it!

Eastern Idaho Electrical Workers

At the Eastern Idaho Electrical JATC, you can become an apprentice and earn the work hours needed to obtain your electrical license.

But this program isn’t for just anybody.

This is a program that is strictly made for those who are genuinely passionate about conducting electrical work!

Eijatc.org explains it best:

“At the Eastern Idaho Electrical JATC, we train Craftsmen to build the Electrical Infrastructure of Tomorrow.

Due to the unique Commercial and Industrial Work base in Southeast Idaho, participants of our program have consistently received exposure to more facets of the industry than participants of state-sponsored Electrical Apprentice programs and other JATCs nationwide.

Being privy to a pool of Electrical Contractors, some of the largest in Idaho, you will find yourself working anywhere from nuclear facilities and large industrial and commercial food processing plants to building shopping malls, power substations, and traffic signal lights.

Completion of our program brings with it the responsibility of living up to a reputation that will precede you not only tomorrow but in the years to follow as you find yourself working on large construction projects outside of Idaho.

Following those who have gone before, leaving large footprints for you to fill. The Eastern Idaho JATC is here to provide you with the training you need today and tomorrow to step up and meet the challenge.”

So, if you think you’re up for the challenge, then this apprenticeship program was made especially for you!

Electrician Salaries in Idaho

After successfully completing your technical program or apprenticeship, you’ll find a plethora of job opportunities awaiting your skillset and expertise in the profession.

Entry-level electricians in Idaho are likely to make around $45,000 or less every year, but the average electrician in Idaho will make closer to $60,000 or more!

More experienced electricians can make $70,000 or more each year, so look forward to getting a raise as you expand your expertise. 

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Lewiston	$66,888
Coeur d'Alene	$63,720
Moscow	$63,720
Boise	$60,775
Meridian	$60,709
Nampa	$60,122
Caldwell	$60,057
Idaho Falls	$59,325
Pocatello	$56,711
Twin Falls	$56,646

Regional Salary in Idaho

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Electricians, OCC Code 47-2111, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are electricians in demand in Idaho?

Absolutely!

Electricians are already highly in demand in Idaho, but the demand for electricians is projected to keep growing as time goes on.

What states reciprocate with Idaho electrical license?

Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

How long does it take to become an electrician in Idaho?

It should take around four years to become an electrician in Idaho.

Electrician Info by State