Compare accredited Electrician schools across California below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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Best Electrician Schools in California
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 10 schools, closest group first, then ordered by
BOC Score with the highest at the top.
10 of them carry a score.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in California.
Schools closest to the main population center in California are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in California is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Median Graduate Earnings at Electrician Schools in CaliforniaSource: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Electrician Schools in California
School
Median graduate earnings
College of San Mateo
$69,861
Southern California Institute of Technology
$65,954
Skyline College
$59,341
Independent Training & Apprenticeship Program
$59,318
Mt San Antonio College
$51,460
Diablo Valley College
$50,569
Electrician Pay and Job Outlook
What electricians earn across the pay scaleProjected job growth for electriciansTop-paying states for electricians
California Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$76,160
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
73,310 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
0.83
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
6.1%
BLS LAUS (2025)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage
$48.68/hr ($40.5 base + $8.18 fringe)
DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026
Top Cities for Electrician Training in California
The cities below have the highest concentration of electrician training programs and population centers within California. Click through for school listings near each:
If you want to start an electrician career in California, the first step is to get the right training. California law requires you to either work as a registered electrical trainee or a licensed electrician. That means picking the right school is key.
Below, I’ll walk you through some of the best electrician schools in California, what to look for in a program, and the steps to get your electrician license.
How to Become an Electrician in California
Here’s a quick breakdown of the process:
Finish High School or Get a GED - Most electrician programs require this.
Enroll in an Approved Electrical Training Program - Must be state-approved.
Work as an Electrician Trainee - Gain hours under a certified electrician.
Pass the State Certification Exam - Required for general electrician positions.
Keep Your License Current - Renew every three years.
In California, anyone performing electrical work for pay must either be a licensed electrician or an electrician trainee registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). 1
What to Look for in a California Electrician School
Before you pick a program, check for:
State Approval - Must be on the California DIR approved school list.
Hands-On Training - Real-world training labs are essential.
Industry-Experienced Instructors - Look for licensed electricians teaching the courses.
Apprenticeship Connections - Schools that partner with local companies make finding work easier.
Flexible Schedules - Night or weekend classes if you are working.
Required Licensing in California
To work independently as an electrician, you must hold a California General Electrician Certification.
Requirements include:
At least 8,000 hours of work experience in the field.
Completion of a state-approved training program.
Passing the California Electrical Certification Exam.
All electricians in California must carry proof of current certification while on the job site. Employers are required to verify certification before hiring. 1
Helpful Tips When Choosing a School
Visit the campus and check out the training labs.
Talk to current students about their experience.
Ask about job outcomes data.
Confirm the program offers OSHA safety certification opportunities.
Look into tuition assistance, especially if you’re a veteran.
Your Next Step
If you plan to work as an electrician in California, start by picking a state-approved program that fits your schedule, learning style, and location. Visit at least two campuses. Ask about apprenticeship opportunities, because paid, on-the-job training is the fastest way to get your hours.
Once you’re enrolled and registered as an electrician trainee, focus on learning both the technical skills and jobsite safety. In this trade, your skills are your career. The better your training, the easier it will be to pass your state exam and get steady work.
In California, Electrician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $76,160 per year, and most earn between $46,800 and $140,340 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). California employs roughly 73,310 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.83 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving California include College of San Mateo, Mt San Antonio College, and Southern California Institute of Technology. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Electrician Training and Licensing in California
In California, Electrician licensing is overseen by California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Common credentials include General Electrician Certification, Residential Electrician Certification, and Voice Data Video Tech Certification. A typical path requires 2,000 to 8,000 hours depending on certification type.
Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does electrician training in California involve?
Electrician training in California is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.
How much do electricians earn in California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), electricians in California earned a median annual wage of approximately $76,160. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $46,800 to $140,340 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the California license or certification process for electricians?
Licensing for electricians in California is administered by Contractors State License Board. Most candidates complete an approved training program or registered apprenticeship, log the required on-the-job hours, and pass a state exam. Confirm current hour totals, fees, and renewal terms directly with the licensing agency before enrolling. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor CareerOneStop license database.)
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
