How to Become An Electrician in Nebraska
Nebraska employs approximately 6,440 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,820 1. The state’s concentration of electrician jobs is 1.29x 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 Nebraska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Electrician in Nebraska
How do I become an electrician in Nebraska? Nebraska requires credentials such as Electrician, Electrician, Specialty License, Electrical & Computer Engineer. The licensing authority is the Nebraska State Electrical Division 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Nebraska? Yes. Nebraska has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. The Nebraska State Electrical Division oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in Nebraska? The median annual wage for electricians in Nebraska is $60,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,400 and experienced professionals can earn $94,040 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: Nebraska State Electrical Division
- Median wage (Nebraska): $60,820 per year 1
Electrician License Requirements in Nebraska
The Nebraska State Electrical Division oversees electrician licensing in Nebraska 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Electrician | Occupational DescriptionElectricians install, connect, test, and maintain electrical systems for a variety of purposes, including power, lighting, climate control, security, and communica… |
| Electrician, Specialty License | Occupational DescriptionA person licensed to plan, layout and install electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment for only those components on an Sign, Irrigation System or HVAC System. |
| Electrical & Computer Engineer | Occupational DescriptionSee ‘Engineer, Professional’ Licensure RequirementsSee ‘Engineer, Professional’ FeesSee ‘Engineer, Professional’ Renewal</h3… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Electrician Apprenticeship Information in Nebraska
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Nebraska’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Nebraska Division of Employment and Training - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Omaha Field Office
- Address: 222 South 15th Street, Omaha, NE 68102-1608
- Phone: (515) 284-4632
- Email: [email protected]
Electrician Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), electricians wages in Nebraska vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 3,530 | $62,440 | $66,780 | $44,120 | $94,690 |
| Lincoln | 1,020 | $60,680 | $63,530 | $45,950 | $84,650 |
| Sioux City | 300 | $73,910 | $68,740 | $46,600 | $84,930 |
| Grand Island | 260 | $52,470 | $56,470 | $37,910 | $78,510 |
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 Nebraska
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest electrician employment within Nebraska according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 3,530 | $62,440 |
| Lincoln | 1,020 | $60,680 |
| Grand Island | 260 | $52,470 |
Explore electrician programs in Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Nebraska
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians working on federally funded construction projects in Nebraska earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Nebraska general wage determinations show approximately $20.66 per hour in base pay plus $5.74 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $26.40 (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 Nebraska? Nebraska currently employs approximately 6,440 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in Nebraska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Nebraska State Electrical Division for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Nebraska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Nebraska. You can also contact the Nebraska Division of Employment and Training - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do electricians earn in Nebraska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in Nebraska is $60,820, which is $1,530 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Nebraska State Electrical Division - Licensing Information: https://electrical.nebraska.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Nebraska Division of Employment and Training - 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) |