How to Become an Electrician in Massachusetts (2026)
Massachusetts employs about 17,810 electricians earning a median $79,420 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an electrician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Board of State Examiners of Electricians - Division of Professional Licensure credentialing requirements.
Massachusetts employs approximately 17,810 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $79,420 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 Massachusetts, 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: Board of State Examiners of Electricians - Division of Professional Licensure
- Median wage (Massachusetts): $79,420 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Both state and third-party exams required
Quick Answers About How to Become an Electrician in Massachusetts
How to become an Electrician in Massachusetts? Massachusetts requires credentials such as ELECTRICIAN, MASTER, ELECTRICIAN, JOURNEYMAN. The licensing authority is the Board of State Examiners of Electricians - Division of Professional Licensure 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license lists approximately 100 hours of training or supervised practice. Confirm the current total with the state board 3.
Do I need a license in Massachusetts? Yes. Massachusetts has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. The Board of State Examiners of Electricians - Division of Professional Licensure oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in Massachusetts? The median annual wage for electricians in Massachusetts is $79,420 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,990 and experienced professionals can earn $128,210 or more 1.
How to Become an Electrician in Massachusetts
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Board of State Examiners of Electricians - Division of Professional Licensure, pass the required examination, and obtain the electrician credential before working unsupervised in Massachusetts.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Electrician License Requirements in Massachusetts
The Board of State Examiners of Electricians - Division of Professional Licensure oversees electrician licensing in Massachusetts 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICIAN, MASTER | Must have held a Massachusetts journeyman’s license for at least one year. Must pass a written national exam. Must submit proof of completing at least 100 hours of Advanced Theory. Exam required. |
| ELECTRICIAN, JOURNEYMAN | Must have documented proof of 4 years or more as an apprentice under a licensed Massachusetts electrician. Out-of-state experience must be documented on company letterhead. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Both state and third-party exams required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Electrician Apprenticeship Information in Massachusetts
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Massachusetts’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Division of Apprentice Training, Department of Workforce Development
- Address: 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Phone: (617) 626-5442
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Massachusetts
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians working on federally funded construction projects in Massachusetts earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Massachusetts general wage determinations show approximately $48.16 per hour in base pay plus $36.20 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $84.36 (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 Massachusetts
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), electricians wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 13,410 | $79,910 | $83,370 | $47,240 | $129,320 |
| Providence-Warwick | 3,560 | $73,980 | $73,080 | $42,760 | $102,840 |
| Worcester | 1,580 | $75,510 | $73,170 | $46,380 | $100,240 |
| Springfield | 860 | $77,420 | $75,890 | $47,050 | $109,280 |
| Barnstable Town | 470 | $78,570 | $78,550 | $45,240 | $116,730 |
| Pittsfield | 320 | $74,780 | $71,250 | $45,800 | $101,330 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | 240 | $76,980 | $73,370 | $40,830 | $98,440 |
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 Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 17,810 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in Massachusetts with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of State Examiners of Electricians - Division of Professional Licensure for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Massachusetts. You can also contact the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do electricians earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in Massachusetts is $79,420, which is $17,070 above the national median of $62,350 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of State Examiners of Electricians - Division of Professional Licensure - Licensing Information: http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/el/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/01/oi/all-active-sponors.xlsx ↩︎
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) |