For anyone currently seeking a fulfilling career, you don’t need to look any further!
Becoming an electrician in Michigan is one of the best decisions for someone who wants a steady income and constant career growth opportunities.
If this sounds like you, then keep reading to find out how you can become a licensed electrician in Michigan!
Table of Contents
Electrician Job Duties and Skills in Michigan
Michigan.gov lists some of the skills and job duties of electricians as follows:
- Connects wires to plugs, switches, controls, light fixtures, traffic controls, appliances, motors, breaker
panels, and switchboards. - Disassembles, repairs, and reassembles or replaces defective electrical equipment such as plugs,
switches, outlets, controls, ballasts, motors, and appliances using hand tools, test equipment, and
service manuals. - Measures, cuts, bends, threads, assembles, and installs electrical conduit, junction, switch, outlet boxes,
and switchboards using hand tools and such special equipment as mechanical drills, cutters, benders,
and threaders. - Cleans and lubricates equipment and maintains records on equipment status and maintenance.
And more.
You’ll also want to possess a few soft skills as an electrician, such as having good:
- Customer service skills
- Communication skills
- Time Management Skills
- Computer Skills
- Critical Thinking skills
- Basic Math Skills
In order to succeed as an electrician, you’ll need to be flexible and willing to expand your knowledge and skillset whenever possible.
How to Become an Electrician in Michigan
To become an electrician in Michigan, you’ll need to put in some time and effort, but if you’re willing to work hard, you can certainly do it!
Make Sure You Have All Educational Requirements
To become an electrician in Michigan, 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 Apprenticeship Program:
Enrolling in a good apprenticeship program will help you along your journey to becoming an electrician.
Joining one will help you meet all of Michigan’s licensing requirements.
One of those requirements is that you’ll need four years of electrical work experience–or 8,000 work hours.
An apprenticeship should grant you that experience!
Complete Classroom Training
Another of Michigan’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, consider attending college.
You can go to a community college, trade school, or vocational school!
Make sure to do plenty of research to ensure that whatever option you choose is the perfect one for you!
Apply for Your License
After fulfilling all necessary requirements, you can visit Michigan.gov and apply for your license.
The exam is 40 questions long, and you’ll have 90 minutes to complete it.
If you pass your exam, you’ll be rewarded with a license!
Training Programs for Electricians in Michigan
Here are some institutions in Michigan that offer electrical training programs.
Northwestern Technological Institute 
Northwestern Technological Institute is an HVAC School that provides programs that enable students to learn Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigerating, and more.
The school offers the Electrical Theory and Application course, which covers basic electricity, electrical circuits, schematics, electrical meters, components, motors, and control devices.
This is a great introductory course that lasts for five weeks and lays down the foundation that electrical students will want to have going forward.
Ann Arbor Electrical JATC
The Ann Arbor Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Center allows students to earn a wage while partaking in an apprenticeship.
They offer several programs, such as the 3-year residential or five-year commercial program.
According to Aaejatc.org, “You will be trained to work as a construction electrician in residential, commercial, and industrial locations.
You will work under the direct supervision of a qualified journeyman electrician doing electrical construction, renovation, and maintenance at manufacturing plants, office buildings, schools, hospitals, stores, apartment buildings, private homes, or any other location where electric service must be provided and maintained.”
For those taking the 5-year program, upon its completion, you will receive at least 8000 hours of on-the-job training and at least 800 hours of related classroom training.
Detroit Training Institute of Technology
At the Detroit Training Institute of Technology, students will learn the basics of wiring residential.
The 4-month-long course puts emphasis on the code and safety methods established by the 2008 National Electric Code that every electrician must adhere to.
Dtitschool.com states that some of the modules include:
- Lighting Branches
- Fans
- Receptacles
- Repairing and installing Service panels
- Special Purpose outlets
- 2008 NEC Code
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Community College offers an electrical apprenticeship training program, which meets the Related Training Instruction (RTI) requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services (OATELS) for registered apprenticeship programs.
Completing this program will earn you a Certificate of Completion from Grand Rapids Community College.
However, students who’d prefer to obtain an associate’s degree can apply to receive articulated credit for their Certificate of Completion.
Completing the ten courses in the program will be well worth it for future electricians!
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Northwestern Technological Institute | 24800 Northwestern Hwy, Southfield, MI 48075 |
| Ann Arbor Electrical JATC | 13400 Luick Dr, Chelsea, MI 48118 |
| Detroit Training Institute of Technology | 14701 Harper Ave, Detroit, MI 48224 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | 143 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
Electrician Salaries in Michigan
After successfully completing your technical program or apprenticeship, a plethora of enticing job opportunities will be available in the electrician field.
Regardless of your experience, you’ll likely start off making about $45,000 a year, but that number will increase soon as the average electrician in Michigan will make around $60,000 or more.
Highly experienced electricians make around $70,000 or more, and there’s always room for even higher-paying opportunities!
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $67,342 |
| Westland | $66,402 |
| Detroit | $65,984 |
| Warren | $65,984 |
| Dearborn | $65,984 |
| Livonia | $65,776 |
| Sterling Heights | $65,776 |
| Grand Rapids | $63,289 |
| Lansing | $63,172 |
| Flint | $60,831 |
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 670 | $74,960 | $36.04 | $97,200 | $41,230 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 180 | $67,330 | $32.37 | $84,780 | $38,690 |
| Bay City, MI | 230 | $62,550 | $30.07 | $80,690 | $38,960 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 11,540 | $69,300 | $33.32 | $99,930 | $39,120 |
| Flint, MI | 760 | $66,980 | $32.2 | $93,500 | $37,140 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 2,950 | $61,860 | $29.74 | $83,870 | $37,580 |
| Jackson, MI | 280 | $69,330 | $33.33 | $106,930 | $37,420 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 740 | $64,490 | $31 | $92,170 | $37,450 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 1,270 | $65,090 | $31.29 | $83,810 | $38,780 |
| Midland, MI | 220 | $51,510 | $24.76 | $77,920 | $30,890 |
| Monroe, MI | 150 | $67,480 | $32.44 | $98,100 | $37,700 |
| Muskegon, MI | 480 | $61,500 | $29.57 | $96,010 | $36,070 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 240 | $65,710 | $31.59 | $105,270 | $37,940 |
| Saginaw, MI | 370 | $63,680 | $30.61 | $83,650 | $37,690 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an apprentice electrician work alone in Michigan?
No.
As an apprentice in Michigan, you’ll need to work under the supervision of a licensed journey or master electrician at all times.
How long is an electrical apprenticeship in Michigan?
You should be able to complete an electrical apprenticeship in about four years in the state of Michigan.
What is the average wage for an electrician apprentice in Michigan?
The average wage for an electrician apprentice in Michigan is about $18 to $20 an hour.
Electrician Info by State
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