How to Become An Electrician in Idaho
Idaho employs approximately 5,690 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,000 1. The state’s concentration of electrician jobs is 1.36x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Idaho, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Electrician in Idaho
How do I become an electrician in Idaho? Idaho requires credentials such as Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, Specialty Journeyman Electrician. The licensing authority is the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Electrical Board 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 8,000 hours of experience (roughly 4.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Idaho? Yes. Idaho has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. The Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Electrical Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in Idaho? The median annual wage for electricians in Idaho is $63,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,830 and experienced professionals can earn $95,470 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Electrical Board
- Median wage (Idaho): $63,000 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Electrician License Requirements in Idaho
The Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Electrical Board oversees electrician licensing in Idaho 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Journeyman Electrician | Electricians must be licensed in Idaho. There are four certificates of competency available to electricians: Electrical Apprentice registration, Journeyman Electrician license, Master Electrician lice… |
| Master Electrician | Electricians must be licensed in Idaho. There are four certificates of competency available to electricians: Electrical Apprentice registration, Journeyman Electrician license, Master Electrician lice… |
| Specialty Journeyman Electrician | Specialty electricians must be licensed in Idaho and are only allowed to work in their area of specialization. |
| Electrical Specialty Trainee | Specialty electricians must be licensed in Idaho and are only allowed to work in their area of specialization. |
| Electrical Apprentice | Electricians must be licensed in Idaho. There are four certificates of competency available to electricians: Electrical Apprentice registration, Journeyman Electrician license, Master Electrician lice… |
| Electrical Contractor | Electricians must be licensed in Idaho. There are four certificates of competency available to electricians: Electrical Apprentice registration, Journeyman Electrician license, Master Electrician lice… |
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 Idaho
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Idaho’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Idaho Office of Apprenticeship
- Address: 317 W. Main St., Boise, ID 97232
- Phone: (208) 332-3570
- Email: [email protected]
Electrician Wages by Metro Area in Idaho
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in Idaho
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), electricians wages in Idaho vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | 2,510 | $61,610 | $65,870 | $39,100 | $91,780 |
| Idaho Falls | 540 | $65,350 | $68,470 | $37,610 | $100,770 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 480 | $66,350 | $71,440 | $44,890 | $99,940 |
| Logan | 350 | $58,070 | $61,460 | $38,260 | $82,980 |
| Twin Falls | 300 | $58,000 | $60,260 | $37,700 | $79,140 |
| Lewiston | 230 | $77,130 | $73,400 | $45,890 | $104,590 |
| Pocatello | 160 | $60,540 | $61,570 | $38,650 | $90,040 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Electricians in Idaho
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest electrician employment within Idaho according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Boise City | 2,510 | $61,610 |
| Idaho Falls | 540 | $65,350 |
| Coeur d’Alene | 480 | $66,350 |
| Twin Falls | 300 | $58,000 |
| Lewiston | 230 | $77,130 |
Explore electrician programs in Idaho Falls, Coeur d’Alene, and Twin Falls.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Idaho
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians working on federally funded construction projects in Idaho earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Idaho general wage determinations show approximately $49.55 per hour in base pay plus $19.09 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $68.64 (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for electricians in Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 5,690 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in Idaho with an out-of-state license? Contact the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Electrical Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Idaho? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Idaho. You can also contact the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do electricians earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in Idaho is $63,000, which is $650 above the national median of $62,350 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Electrical Board - Licensing Information: http://dbs.idaho.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship: https://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Job-Seekers/On-the-Job-Training/Apprenticeships ↩︎
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) |