You may be wondering what kind of career you can pursue that would come with benefits like job security and a nice salary.
Becoming an electrician may be the answer for you!
Electricians in West Virginia can expect a ton of opportunities for career growth on top of a stable income and a consistent workload.
If that interests you, then keep reading to find out how you can become an electrician in the state of West Virginia!
Table of Contents
Electrician Job Duties and Skills In West Virginia
To be a good electrician, you have to:
- Be adaptable
- Perform good customer service
- Have basic math and computer skills
- Have good project management and time management skills
- Have empathy
And more.
Some more industry-specific skills that you’ll need to possess include:
- Calculating branch circuit loads
- Interpreting electrical wiring diagrams and schematics
- Repairing, replacing, or rewiring circuits
- Repairing electrical systems, equipment, and fixtures
How to Become an Electrician In West Virginia
Ben Franklin Career Center
The Ben Franklin Career Center offers an electrical technician program that lasts for eleven months.
The program is designed to aid students in building up their basic knowledge along with their technical skills in all aspects of the Electrical Trades Industry.
When the program is completed successfully, students will be ready to start an entry-level career in the electrical field.
Some of the topics covered in the program include:
- Basic DC and AC Theory
- Ohm’s Law Calculations
- Commercial and Residential Wiring
- Motor Circuits and Controls
- National Electrical Code
- Programmable Logic Controllers
But there is also much more taught throughout the duration of the program!
Fred W Eberle Technical Center
The Fred W. Eberle Technical Center offers a twelve-month, 1080-hour-long program that prepares individuals to apply the technical knowledge and skills required to begin a successful career as an electrician.
This includes learning to install, operate, maintain, and repair electric apparatus and systems such as residential, commercial, and industrial electric power wiring.
It also provides lessons on installing, operating, maintaining, and repairing DC and AC motors, controls, and electrical distribution panels.
During this program, students can also expect to learn about the principles of electronics and electrical systems.
This includes wiring, power transmission, safety, industrial and household appliances, job estimation, electrical testing and inspection, and way more.
This program will teach all the basics!
James Rumsey Technical Institute
James Rumsey Technical Institute offers a two-year Electrical Technician program.
This program promises to give students a huge head start in the industry.
Students who successfully complete the two-year program are eligible to take the Electrical Journeyman’s Test as opposed to those who enter the industry without this training, who have to work in the field for at least four years before they can even test for this license.
Training in this program will also give students a very strong foundation to build on in case they want to pursue an electrical engineering degree in college.
But there are other options available as well.
JRTI also offers an Electromechanical Technology program, and completing this program could open up career possibilities in the industrial maintenance field, which could put you in very high demand.
Just a few of the skills that students can expect to learn during this program include the installation of residential and commercial receptacles, lighting circuits, and electrical services.
You’ll also learn all about calculating current, resistance, and voltage while using Ohm’s law.
Training Programs for Electricians In West Virginia
Make sure to Meet The Requirements
In order to be eligible for an electrical license in West Virginia, you must be 18 years old or older.
You must also have a high school diploma or GED
Before applying to take the licensing exam, make sure you’ve reached these requirements!
Complete Your Classroom Hours
In West Virginia, you need to make sure you complete 1080 classroom hours before you can apply for your electrical license.
Getting your electrical license without meeting this requirement is not an option, so be sure to get all your classroom hours.
Complete All of Your Training
You’ll need to make sure to train and gain all the required work hours before you can get your license.
In West Virginia, you must complete 8,000 work hours before applying for your electrical license.
You can gain the necessary work experience by attending community college, a vocational school, a technical school, or during an apprenticeship.
Now 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 will have 75 multiple-choice questions.
If you pass the exam, you can get your license!
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ben Franklin Career Center | 500 28th St, Dunbar, WV 25064 |
| Fred W Eberle Technical Center | 308 Morton Ave, Buckhannon, WV 26201 |
| James Rumsey Technical Institute | 3274 Hedgesville Rd, Martinsburg, WV 25403 |
Electrician Salaries In West Virginia
An electrician’s salary can vary depending on a wide variety of factors, such as:
- Work experience
- Knowledge and expertise
- Specialization
- Location
Down below, you can see a table that shows the average salary of an electrician depending on which West Virginian city they reside in!
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Martinsburg | $72,321 |
| Morgantown | $63,890 |
| Wheeling | $63,890 |
| Fairmont | $63,890 |
| Weirton | $63,621 |
| Charleston | $59,445 |
| Beckley | $58,923 |
| Huntington | $58,290 |
| Parkersburg | $57,951 |
| Clarksburg | $57,429 |
Regional Salary in West Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 300 | $68,170 | $32.77 | $84,880 | $35,400 |
| Charleston, WV | 430 | $67,440 | $32.42 | $88,140 | $37,850 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 800 | $60,520 | $29.09 | $82,120 | $36,050 |
| Morgantown, WV | 250 | $60,740 | $29.2 | $96,830 | $36,400 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 150 | $59,450 | $28.58 | $79,320 | $35,560 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 180 | $62,510 | $30.05 | $87,660 | $36,090 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 310 | $67,870 | $32.63 | $89,500 | $37,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrician apprentices make in West Virginia?
Anywhere from $17,000 a year to $40,000 a year.
How much does a residential electrician make hourly in West Virginia?
A residential electrician will make $24 an hour, on average, in West Virginia.
How many years of work experience to become a licensed electrician in West Virgina?
It will take four to five years of work experience to become a licensed electrician in West Virginia.
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