Are you interested in becoming an electrician?
If so, it’s no wonder why!
Electricians are in high demand.
As a matter of fact, the demand for electricians far outweighs the supply–which means that electricians are highly paid and have tons of job opportunities to choose from.
This mixed with the constant opportunity for growth within this industry makes being an electrician a very lucrative career path.
So, if you’re the kind of person who possesses excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enjoys doing hands-on work, and lending a helping hand in times of crisis, and is willing to broaden your knowledge of the craft continuously, keep reading to find out how you can become an electrician.
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Electrician Job Duties and Skills In Ohio
Electricians in Ohio need to possess several skills.
Ohio.Gov lists them as:
Hard Skills:
- Fastening small metal or plastic boxes to walls to house electrical switches or outlets.
- Placing conduit, pipes, or tubing inside the designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas.
- Pulling insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
- Maintaining your current electrician’s license or identification card to meet governmental regulations.
- Preparing sketches or following blueprints to determine the locations of wiring or other equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
And more.
There are also some soft skills that you should possess.
Soft Skills:
- Good communication
- Basic math skills
- Basic computer skills
- Good customer service
- The ability to work in a team
Ultimately, you’ll need to be multi-faceted to work as an electrician.
How to Become an Electrician In Ohio
Still interested in becoming an electrician?
Read below to find the steps you need to take to pursue your future career!
Make Sure You Meet The Requirements
To be eligible for an electrical license in Ohio, you must be 18 years old or older.
You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal alien.
Before applying to take the licensing exam, make sure you’ve reached these requirements!
Get All the Necessary Classroom Hours
You must complete at least 720 hours of classroom training before you can apply for your electrical license in Ohio.
Be sure you meet this requirement, or else you will not be able to get your electrical license.
Complete The Required Training
If you don’t make sure to gain 4,800 hours of work experience in at least two residential specialties, you won’t be eligible to receive an electrical license in Ohio.
You also need to make sure to get 8,000 hours of on-the-job training in total.
So, be sure you get all the required work hours!
You can achieve this by completing an apprenticeship program while attending a technical school or a community college.
Apply For Your License
Once you are sure you’ve met all the necessary requirements, you can apply for your license!
To do this, you’ll need to take and pass an electrical exam.
It’s an open-book exam that includes 150 questions, and you need to score 70% or higher to pass.
Training Programs for Electricians In Ohio
IEC Central Ohio
IEC Central Ohio claims to be, “The Only Organization in Central Ohio Working Exclusively for the Success of the Independent Electric Contractor and their Employees.”
The program they offer promises to provide apprenticeship classes, and on-the-job training, and lead to a satisfying career.
According to the school, “By participating in an electrical apprenticeship through IEC Central Ohio, you will participate in an apprenticeship program that includes both the skills and knowledge necessary to become a world-class electrician.”
Akron Area Electrical JATC
Akron Area Electrical JATC offers an apprenticeship program that promises to create the most highly-skilled and well-trained workers who will be prepared for any job, which, as a result, will allow for more frequent and stable job assignments, as well as higher wages and more benefits than their non-union counterparts.
Apprentices “Earn While They Learn,” which means that they will receive competitive wages, plus health benefits while working during the day and taking classes during other designated times.
The pay, benefits, and pension benefits are all available the day the apprentice begins work, making this an awesome program for anyone looking to learn while receiving helpful benefits like this!
Ohio Technical College
Ohio Technical College’s strong suit lies in the job readiness its program promises to provide.
According to them, “Students who complete the Industrial Electrician Certificate can enter the workforce as engineering technicians, or they can pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology.”
This certificate also offers an intro to the electrical engineering field, including computer-aided drafting (CAD).
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| IEC Central Ohio | 3128 E 17th Ave suite h, Columbus, OH 43219 |
| Akron Area Electrical JATC | 2650 S Main St # 100, Akron, OH 44319 |
| Ohio Technical College | 1374 E 51st St, Cleveland, Ohio 44103 |
Electrician Salaries In Ohio
Electricians in Ohio can make a pretty penny!
Your earnings as an electrician in Ohio will vary depending on different factors, such as your knowledge, experience, and place of residence.
Check the chart below to see how earnings may vary depending on the city.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbus | $64,077 |
| Cleveland | $64,421 |
| Cincinnati | $63,818 |
| Lorain | $63,739 |
| Dayton | $63,309 |
| Toledo | $63,061 |
| Akron | $62,656 |
| Findlay | $61,592 |
| Youngstown | $61,462 |
| Canton | $61,374 |
Regional Salary in Ohio
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 1,250 | $69,690 | $33.5 | $115,010 | $37,600 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 1,060 | $69,410 | $33.37 | $86,220 | $42,640 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 5,430 | $62,790 | $30.19 | $90,140 | $37,500 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 3,810 | $64,780 | $31.14 | $91,450 | $37,620 |
| Columbus, OH | 4,470 | $64,460 | $30.99 | $96,890 | $37,430 |
| Dayton, OH | 1,520 | $61,840 | $29.73 | $78,650 | $37,100 |
| Lima, OH | 230 | $64,100 | $30.82 | $78,940 | $36,560 |
| Mansfield, OH | 170 | $56,590 | $27.21 | $74,350 | $36,640 |
| Springfield, OH | 130 | $60,190 | $28.94 | $72,650 | $44,110 |
| Toledo, OH | 1,550 | $68,130 | $32.76 | $96,820 | $37,790 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 1,110 | $59,730 | $28.72 | $90,030 | $34,580 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do electricians need a license in Ohio?
Yes. You cannot work as an electrician without a license while living in Ohio.
Is the electrical license in Ohio statewide?
Yes. If you obtain an electrical license in Ohio, you can work as an electrician anywhere in Ohio regardless of city or county.
What electrical work can be done without a license in Ohio?
Only minor repairs, such as installing or repairing lightbulbs or ceiling fans, can be done without an electrical license in Ohio.
Electrician Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
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- Delaware
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- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
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- Ohio
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