How to Become an Electrician in Michigan (2026)
Michigan employs about 23,530 electricians earning a median $76,270 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an electrician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes credentialing requirements.
Michigan employs approximately 23,530 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $76,270 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 Michigan, 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: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes
- Median wage (Michigan): $76,270 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become an Electrician in Michigan
How to become an Electrician in Michigan? Michigan requires credentials such as Electrician, Master, Electrician, Journeyperson, Inspector, Electrical. The licensing authority is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license lists approximately 12,000 hours of training or supervised practice. Confirm the current total with the state board 3.
Do I need a license in Michigan? Yes. Michigan has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for electricians in Michigan is $76,270 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,980 and experienced professionals can earn $103,120 or more 1.
How to Become an Electrician in Michigan
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes, pass the required examination, and obtain the electrician credential before working unsupervised in Michigan.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Electrician License Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes oversees electrician licensing in Michigan 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Electrician, Master | To receive a Master Electrician License, an applicant must be at least 22 years old, have held an Electrical Journeyman’s license for at least 2 years, and have had at least 12,000 hours of practical… |
| Electrician, Journeyperson | An applicant for an Electrical Journeyman license must be at least 20 years old and must have at least 8,000 hours of practical experience over a period of at least 4 years that is related to electric… |
| Inspector, Electrical | To receive an Electrical Inspector registration, an applicant must have at least 2 years of experience as a licensed electrical journey worker OR should be licensed as a master electrician. |
| Electrical Apprentice | To receive an Electrical Apprentice license in the State of Michigan, an applicant must submit an application online or mail the completed application and required documents to the Michigan Department… |
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 Michigan
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Michigan’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Mott Community College - Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 1401 E. Court St., Flint, MI 48503-2089
- Phone: (810) 762-0200
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Michigan
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians working on federally funded construction projects in Michigan earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Michigan general wage determinations show approximately $56.05 per hour in base pay plus $27.25 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $83.30 (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 Michigan
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), electricians wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 11,210 | $81,990 | $79,240 | $46,660 | $107,330 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 2,880 | $62,240 | $66,260 | $38,490 | $97,760 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 1,140 | $80,480 | $74,530 | $44,550 | $95,630 |
| Flint | 790 | $78,270 | $75,290 | $44,200 | $101,110 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 750 | $74,150 | $71,950 | $43,100 | $100,610 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 680 | $65,690 | $71,670 | $39,540 | $100,900 |
| Ann Arbor | 610 | $81,450 | $79,540 | $46,230 | $106,160 |
| Traverse City | 390 | $61,650 | $62,310 | $37,160 | $91,240 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 340 | $77,100 | $70,000 | $43,400 | $96,820 |
| Saginaw | 300 | $79,860 | $73,370 | $44,060 | $94,360 |
| Jackson | 240 | $63,540 | $69,450 | $38,400 | $101,370 |
| Niles | 240 | $64,060 | $70,740 | $40,220 | $107,660 |
| Battle Creek | 230 | $76,630 | $69,190 | $44,650 | $86,260 |
| Bay City | 210 | $80,450 | $75,090 | $45,230 | $102,960 |
| Midland | 210 | $51,310 | $57,480 | $35,540 | $82,630 |
| Monroe | 150 | $80,620 | $81,560 | $46,800 | $110,390 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 130 | $65,270 | $70,690 | $45,310 | $98,690 |
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 Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 23,530 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Michigan. You can also contact the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do electricians earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in Michigan is $76,270, which is $13,920 above the national median of $62,350 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Michigan
Top local programs
- Best Electrician Schools in Adrian, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Allen Park, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Alma, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Alpena, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Ann Arbor, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Auburn Hills, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Battle Creek, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Bay City, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Benton Harbor, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Berkley, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Beverly Hills, Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Big Rapids, Michigan (2026)
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in Michigan (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Indiana
- Best Electrician Schools in Ohio
- Best Electrician Schools in Wisconsin
- Best HVAC Schools in Michigan (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in Michigan
Explore More Trades in Michigan
- Plumber in Michigan
- HVAC Technician in Michigan
- Welder in Michigan
- Carpenter in Michigan
- Solar Installation Technician in Michigan
- Auto Mechanic in Michigan
- CNC Machinist in Michigan
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Michigan
- Medical Assistant in Michigan
- Massage Therapist in Michigan
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Construction Codes - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_10575—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
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) |