How to Become an Electrician in Kentucky

Are you searching for a career path that will ensure you’ll have consistently steady work?

Looking for a job that will allow you to earn a livable wage?

Look no further!

Electricians in Kentucky make $60k a year on average, and there’s more demand than there is supply, so you won’t have to worry about a work drought any time soon.

Interested in learning more?

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at how to become an electrician in Kentucky!

Electrician Job Duties and Skills in Kentucky

So, you’ve made up your mind.

You’re going to become an electrician.

But…What skills do you need for a job like this, and what exactly will you be doing while working as an electrician in Kentucky?

The Chronicle of Higher Education lists an electrician’s primary responsibilities as:

• Testing, maintaining, and repairing all emergency electrical equipment.
• Following a predetermined schedule of preventive maintenance on equipment and circuits to check for proper operation, loose connections, overheating, leaking, insulation, arcing, deterioration, cleanliness, vibration, alignment, and lubrication.
• Troubleshooting motors, motor control circuits, across-the-line starters, reduce voltage starters (autotransformer, resister), reversing starters, electrical systems in hazardous locations, battery banks, and battery chargers.
• Inspecting equipment and tools to ensure they are safe and in good working order. Report malfunctioning equipment to supervisory personnel.
• Interpreting plans, sketches, wiring diagrams, and specifications; identifying all electrical terms and symbols.

Just to name a few.

And, of course, as with all jobs, it isn’t just the technical skills that matter.

You also have to possess some soft skills, such as:

• Being able to deliver excellent customer service.
• Having clear communication.
• Working well with others.
• Being able to solve any problems that may come up.
• Paying extra attention to detail to ensure the project is completed perfectly.

Electricians can’t just rely on any one skill to get them by.

If you’re going to become an electrician, you must be prepared to expand your knowledge and skillset continuously in a broad range of areas. 

How to Become an Electrician in Kentucky

To become an electrician in Kentucky, you’ll need to put in an adequate amount of time and effort!

Make Sure You Have All Educational Requirements

To become an electrician in Kentucky, 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!

Enroll in an Electrical Apprenticeship Program:

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

You’ll need to join one in order to meet Kentucky’s licensing requirements–One of those requirements is that you’ll need four years of electrical work experience.

An apprenticeship should grant you that experience!

Complete Classroom Training

Another of Kentucky’s electrical licensing requirements is that you get 576 hours of classroom training.

While an apprenticeship can help you meet both requirements, the focus during apprenticeship is placed more on work.

To make sure you meet the educational requirements as well, you should consider attending college.

You can go to a community college, trade school, or vocational school!

Training Programs for Electricians in Kentucky

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

Ashland Community and Technical College

The Electrical Technology Program at Ashland Community and Technical College will prepare you for entry-level employment opportunities.

While attending this college and completing this program, you’ll be able to get classroom lessons as well as practical application of the learned techniques.

According to ashland.kctcs.edu, “Graduates of the Electrical Technology program are ready for entry-level positions in industry and the building trades. Graduates may also transfer their credit to a four-year institute to pursue a career as an electrical engineer.”

With this program, you can earn an Associate in Applied Science – General Occupational/Technical Studies, an Industrial Electrician diploma, or several certificates.

Bluegrass Tech

The Electrical Technology program at Bluegrass Tech promises to prepare students for entry-level positions in manufacturing facilities, the construction industry, and power plants. 

You’ll learn about electricity: how it’s generated and transformed, and how to use it.

In Bluegrass‘ words: 

“Studying electrical theory & practical applications provides a foundation for an electrical industry career.

Our classroom and lab instruction include:

• Basic electrical theory
• Residential and commercial wiring
• Conduit bending
• Motor controls
• Programmable logic controllers”

It’s a well-rounded program for those looking to become electricians in Kentucky to consider.

JATC of Louisville Electrical

This apprenticeship program presents an opportunity to make a living while earning a degree.

It’s a four-year Apprenticeship program registered through the Kentucky Department of Labor.

According to loujatc, the program consists of two components of training.

“On-the-job training is completed by the Apprentice working full-time with one of our contractors, and Related Training is completed through classroom and hands-on lab education.

The electrical program covers the spectrum of residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations.

The curriculum includes areas such as Electrical Theory, Print Reading, Grounding, Controls, Communication Equipment, Testing Equipment, Pipe Bending, Structured Cabling, Voice and Data, and The National Electrical Code.

Job Safety, First Aid, Job Site Management, and Supervision are also covered.”

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College’s Electrical Technology program teaches students how to work with the electrical systems of mechanical equipment used in businesses and industries.

Southeast.kctcs.edu states, “You will learn how to maintain and troubleshoot electric motor controls, industrial electronics, fluid power, programmable logic controllers, and process control.

Our program emphasizes applications to real-world problems. Power up your career path at Southeast!”

You can earn a degree in General Occupational and Technical Studies, a diploma in Electrical Technology, or certificates in Automated Industrial Controls Technician Level I, II, or more.

Electrician Salaries in Kentucky

After you’ve completed your technical program or apprenticeship, there will be plenty of job opportunities waiting for you! 

You can expect to earn a nice wage from the beginning, too!

While salaries vary city by city, you should expect to earn a minimum of $45,000 a year, even at entry level.

As you gain more experience, you’ll likely earn upwards of $70,000 a year!

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Covington	$63,818
Louisville	$61,951
Henderson	$61,682
Elizabethtown	$61,429
Owensboro	$61,290
Nicholasville	$61,090
Richmond	$60,595
Frankfort	$59,661
Bowling Green	$59,140
Hopkinsville	$58,734

Regional Salary in Kentucky

* 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

Can a homeowner do electrical work in Kentucky?

According to Louisevilleky.gov, “A homeowner may obtain a permit if he/she is performing the work on their own home, and the home is the owner’s primary residence for the next 12 months. Otherwise a licensed electrician is required for obtaining electrical permits.”

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

About four years.

You’ll need 576 hours of classroom training and four years of electrical work experience, so the fastest you would be able to get licensed is within four years.

What electrical work can be done without a license in Kentucky?

Generalcontractorlicenseguide.com states that some types of electrical work is exempt from licensure, including:

• Factory-authorized representatives installing medical equipment devices.
• Maintenance workers performing routine maintenance on electrical systems.
• Coal preparation plants and workers in coal mines.

And more.

Electrician Info by State