Are you looking for a career that will guarantee you a steady income, plenty of career growth opportunities, and a diverse set of job opportunities, too?
If so, then you should consider working in the electrical industry!
If you’re living in the state of Tennessee and you’re interested in becoming an electrician, keep reading this article to find out exactly how you can do that!
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Electrician Job Duties and Skills In Tennessee
A good electrician will possess the following skills and be able to perform the following duties:
- Install and maintain wiring, control, and lighting systems.
- Inspect electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers.
- Identify electrical problems using a variety of testing devices.
- Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures using hand tools and power tools.
These are just a few of the job-specific duties and skills necessary for an electrician, but there are also some necessary soft skills, too.
These include:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Computer skills
- Math skills
- Writing skills
- Customer Service
And more.
How to Become an Electrician In Tennessee
If you’re still interested in becoming an electrician, here’s how you can do it!
Make Sure to Meet The Requirements
To be able to get an electrical license in Tennessee, you must make sure to meet the following requirements:
- Be a high school graduate or have a GED
- Be 18 years old or older
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Have a passing algebra grade
Be sure to reach both of these requirements before applying to take the licensing exam, or you won’t be permitted to take it.
Get All the Necessary Classroom Hours
It is a requirement that you complete at least 576 to 900 classroom hours before you can qualify to apply for your electrical license in Tennessee.
Make sure you reach this requirement or you’ll be unable to apply for your license.
Complete Your Training
There are certain work requirements you must meet before being able to obtain your electrical license in Tennessee.
You must be sure you’ve gained at least 8,000 hours of hands-on work experience, or else you won’t be eligible to receive an electrical license.
You can gain all these hours by completing an apprenticeship program or attending a school.
You can attend community college or opt to attend a technical or vocational school instead.
Get Your License
Once you’re sure you’ve met all the requirements, you can apply for your electrical license!
To do this, you need to take and pass the electrical exam.
This exam includes 130 questions and you must score 73% or higher to pass.
You must also be sure to complete the questions within 260 minutes.
Training Programs for Electricians In Tennessee
Northeast State Community College
Northeast State Community College‘s Electrical program Electrical Technology program offers both Electrical and Electromechanical learning opportunities.
The program includes courses that touch on things like AC and DC Fundamentals. Motors, Alternators, and Generators, plus more.
Students partaking in this program can also learn about Industrial Electronics.
There are a wide variety of degrees currently available, such as the Electromechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology – Concentration: Electrical degrees.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Tennessee College of Applied Technology‘s Industrial Electricity NCCER program is year-long, offers students the opportunity to earn either a certificate or a diploma and offers both day and night classes.
It provides students with 1,296 clock hours and promises to provide students with a strong foundation in the basic principles of electricity.
A few of the topics the course covers include:
- Motor generator principles
- Testing equipment and instruments
- Residential wiring
- National Electric Code
- Industrial wiring/distribution.
This well-structured and well-rounded program is a great option for those looking to get a head start on their path to becoming a licensed electrician.
Chattanooga JATC
The Chattanooga Electrical Apprenticeship is a five-year apprenticeship program that offers students the chance to earn while learning.
The program will also provide apprentices with 900 classroom hours and 8000 hours of on-the-job training, which will qualify those who complete the program for the electrical licensing exam.
So, it’s a great option for anyone who wants to reach all requirements with the help of just one program.
Apprentices in this program will learn about the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of several different electrical systems on both commercial and industrial job sites.
They’ll also study theories that are related to all job tasks that are important to the trade, and attend classes twice a week to learn from qualified IBEW Journeyman Wireman.
It’s an all-around excellent program for anyone who is interested in entering the electrical workforce!
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Northeast State Community College | 2425 Hwy 75, Blountville, Tennessee 37617-0246 |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology | 1635 Technology Way, Athens, Tennessee 37371-0848 |
| Chattanooga JATC | 3924 Volunteer Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37416 |
Electrician Salaries In Tennessee
Electricians in Tennessee can make a wide variety of salaries!
Your earnings as an electrician in Tennessee will depend on various 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 |
|---|---|
| Westerly | $69,439 |
| Franklin | $60,632 |
| Memphis | $60,476 |
| Murfreesboro | $60,388 |
| Jackson | $60,020 |
| Knoxville | $59,876 |
| Clarksville | $59,276 |
| Chattanooga | $58,838 |
| Kingsport | $57,011 |
| Johnson City | $56,798 |
Regional Salary in Tennessee
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 1,860 | $56,470 | $27.15 | $75,250 | $36,190 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 380 | $56,230 | $27.03 | $79,760 | $36,990 |
| Cleveland, TN | 220 | $53,560 | $25.75 | $73,040 | $35,840 |
| Jackson, TN | 340 | $54,760 | $26.33 | $73,510 | $35,630 |
| Johnson City, TN | 220 | $49,680 | $23.89 | $62,230 | $36,970 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 650 | $55,510 | $26.69 | $76,920 | $35,760 |
| Knoxville, TN | 2,440 | $54,330 | $26.12 | $75,600 | $36,050 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 2,800 | $56,700 | $27.26 | $76,340 | $36,820 |
| Morristown, TN | 150 | $52,740 | $25.36 | $70,380 | $36,730 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 6,110 | $59,400 | $28.56 | $80,760 | $37,490 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee need electricians?
Yes, Tennessee is a state where electricians are highly in demand!
Do electricians make good money in Tennessee?
Electricians in Tennessee make between $40,000 and $60,000 a year on average.
How many classroom hours to become an electrician in Tenneesee?
576 classroom hours at the minimum.
Electrician Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
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- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
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