What apprenticeships are available for electricians in District of Columbia?

In District of Columbia, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Department of Employment Services, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become an Electrician in District of Columbia (2026)

Q: How much do electricians earn in District of Columbia?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), electricians in District of Columbia earned a median annual wage of approximately $78,970. Employment concentration in District of Columbia is roughly 0.71 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do electricians need a license in District of Columbia?

Yes. District of Columbia requires state-level licensing or registration for electricians, administered by the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs - Occupational & Professional Licensing Administration. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for electricians in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia currently employs approximately 2,440 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.5% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Q: What is the federal prevailing wage for electricians in District of Columbia?

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians on federally funded construction projects in District of Columbia earn a prevailing wage of approximately $59.50 per hour in base pay plus $23.06 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $82.56 (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026).

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

District of Columbia electricians earn a median annual wage of $78,970 ($37.97/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,440 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 25.0% above the national median of $63,190 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $78,970 ($37.97/hr)
25th percentile: $61,240 per year
75th percentile: $122,050 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $125,790 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $51,950 per year
Workers employed in District of Columbia: 2,440
Versus national median: 25.0% above the U.S. median of $63,190
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.71 - this occupation is less concentrated in District of Columbia than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

District of Columbia employs about 2,440 electricians earning a median $78,970 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an electrician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs - Occupational & Professional Licensing Administration credentialing requirements.

Compare Electrician Schools in District of Columbia

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	North American Trade Schools	63.4	Contact school for pricing	$47,948	69%	—	31 mi
2	Anne Arundel Community College	63.3	$4,322 in-state / $11,522 out-of-state	$55,889	31%	Yes*	29 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	Northern Virginia Community College	62.5	$5,891 in-state / $12,409 out-of-state	$57,487	33%	Yes*	12 mi
4	Montgomery College	59.0	$5,394 in-state / $14,250 out-of-state	$55,199	32%	Yes*	14 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	College of Southern Maryland	53.7	$4,200 in-state / $10,050 out-of-state	$58,851	33%	Yes*	25 mi
6	Howard Community College	51.0	$4,080 in-state / $9,624 out-of-state	$57,920	24%	Yes*	22 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia	37.7	Contact school for pricing	$47,136	68%	—	21 mi
8	Baltimore City Community College	35.2	$3,314 in-state / $7,394 out-of-state	$53,768	17%	Yes*	34 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location 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.

District of Columbia employs approximately 2,440 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $78,970 ¹. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 81,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an Electrician in District of Columbia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs - Occupational & Professional Licensing Administration
Median wage (District of Columbia): $78,970 per year ¹
Exam requirement: State exam required

Quick Answers About How to Become an Electrician in District of Columbia

How to become an Electrician in District of Columbia? District of Columbia requires credentials such as ELECTRICIANS. The licensing authority is the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs - Occupational & Professional Licensing Administration ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths into the electrician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in District of Columbia? Yes. District of Columbia has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. The Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs - Occupational & Professional Licensing Administration oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do electricians earn in District of Columbia? The median annual wage for electricians in District of Columbia is $78,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $51,950 and experienced professionals can earn $125,790 or more ¹.

How to Become an Electrician in District of Columbia

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most District of Columbia training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in District of Columbia that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs - Occupational & Professional Licensing Administration, pass the required examination, and obtain the electrician credential before working unsupervised in District of Columbia.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Electrician License Requirements in District of Columbia

The Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs - Occupational & Professional Licensing Administration oversees electrician licensing in District of Columbia ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
ELECTRICIANS	Contact licensing agency for more information.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Exam: State exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Electrician Apprenticeship Information in District of Columbia

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. District of Columbia’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Department of Employment Services ⁵.

Contact Information:

Office: D.C. Apprenticeship Council
Address: 4058 Minnesota Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 724-7000
Email: [email protected]

Federal Prevailing Wage in District of Columbia

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians working on federally funded construction projects in District of Columbia earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent District of Columbia general wage determinations show approximately $59.50 per hour in base pay plus $23.06 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $82.56 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) ⁶.

Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within electrician work.

Electrician Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

Electricians Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), electricians wages in District of Columbia vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	16,580	$75,930	$79,650	$44,690	$121,570

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for electricians in District of Columbia? District of Columbia currently employs approximately 2,440 electricians ¹. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as an electrician in District of Columbia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs - Occupational & Professional Licensing Administration for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in District of Columbia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in District of Columbia. You can also contact the Department of Employment Services for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do electricians earn in District of Columbia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in District of Columbia is $78,970, which is $16,620 above the national median of $62,350 according to BLS data ¹.

In District of Columbia

Best Trade Schools in Washington, DC (2026)

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Citations

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/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs - Occupational & Professional Licensing Administration - Licensing Information: https://dlcp.dc.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Department of Employment Services: https://does.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/does/publication/attachments/DOES_Up-to%20date%20Non-Union%20Sponsors%202011.pdf ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)