How to Become an Electrician in Rhode Island (2026)
Rhode Island employs about 2,420 electricians earning a median $74,090 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an electrician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation credentialing requirements.
Rhode Island employs approximately 2,420 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $74,090 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 Rhode Island, 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: RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation
- Median wage (Rhode Island): $74,090 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become an Electrician in Rhode Island
How to become an Electrician in Rhode Island? Rhode Island requires credentials such as Electrician, Electrical Sign Installer. The licensing authority is the RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation 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 Rhode Island? Yes. Rhode Island has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. The RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for electricians in Rhode Island is $74,090 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,990 and experienced professionals can earn $102,840 or more 1.
How to Become an Electrician in Rhode Island
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation, pass the required examination, and obtain the electrician credential before working unsupervised in Rhode Island.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Electrician License Requirements in Rhode Island
The RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation oversees electrician licensing in Rhode Island 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Electrician | Installs, alters, repairs or renovates electrical systems. Consults with clients and follows electrical plans for proper installation. |
| Electrical Sign Installer | Installs, alters, repairs or renovates electrical signs. Consults with clients and follows electrical plans for proper installation. |
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 Rhode Island
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Rhode Island’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
- Address: 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920-0943
- Phone: (401) 462-8536
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Rhode Island
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians working on federally funded construction projects in Rhode Island earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Rhode Island general wage determinations show approximately $56.11 per hour in base pay plus $44.10 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $100.21 (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 Rhode Island
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), electricians wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | 3,560 | $73,980 | $73,080 | $42,760 | $102,840 |
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 Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 2,420 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in Rhode Island with an out-of-state license? Contact the RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Rhode Island? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Rhode Island. You can also contact the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do electricians earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in Rhode Island is $74,090, which is $11,740 above the national median of $62,350 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation - Licensing Information: https://dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/professional-regulation ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/apprenticeship/ ↩︎
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) |