Electrician Career Guide in Virginia
Explore electrician salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Virginia.
Career Guide Navigation
How to Become an Electrician in Virginia
Common pathways in Virginia include registered apprenticeship, approved vocational education, community college training, and employer-supervised electrical experience. Apprenticeship programs commonly combine classroom instruction with several years of paid on-the-job training. Virginia also recognizes multiple combinations of formal education and verified practical experience when determining examination eligibility.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Electrician Salary in Virginia
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Virginia median wage for electrician workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $62,350, the median wage in Virginia is approximately $740 lower. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Electricians in Virginia
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONElectrician Training Requirements in Virginia
Virginia does not require every applicant to follow one fixed 8,000-hour pathway. Journeyman Electrical applicants may qualify through different combinations of approved education and documented practical experience before passing the required examination. For example, the current regulations recognize pathways combining 240 hours of formal vocational training with four years of practical experience, as well as other education-and-experience combinations. Applicants should verify the pathway that applies to them with DPOR.
Electrician Training Providers in Virginia
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Tidewater Community College | Chesapeake | View Program |
| Central Virginia Community College | Lynchburg | View Program |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke | View Program |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville | View Program |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Hampton | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESElectrician Apprenticeship Programs in Virginia
Richmond Electrical Apprenticeship
Organization: Richmond Electricians’ JATC / IBEW Local 666
Electrical Apprenticeship Program
Organization: Independent Electrical Contractors Chesapeake
Electrician Licensing Requirements in Virginia
Virginia licenses individual electricians through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors. Individuals performing regulated electrical work generally qualify at the Journeyman Electrical or Master Electrical level. A business offering electrical contracting services may also need a separate Virginia contractor license with the appropriate electrical specialty classification.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSElectrician Job Outlook in Virginia
Virginia provides strong employment opportunities for electricians because of commercial construction, federal government facilities, military installations, data centers, residential development, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and utility infrastructure projects.
Virginia projects electrician employment to grow by approximately 7% from 2022 to 2032, increasing from about 23,510 to 25,050 jobs. The state is expected to have approximately 2,270 electrician openings per year, including openings created by employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupation.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the electrician salary in Virginia?
The statewide median wage for electricians in Virginia is approximately $61,610 per year, or $29.62 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Virginia require electrician licensing?
Yes. Virginia requires individuals performing regulated, non-exempt electrician work to hold the appropriate license or credential. Applicants should verify the current license category, experience, examination, and renewal requirements with Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation — Board for Contractors.
How long does it take to become an electrician in Virginia?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A Virginia Journeyman Electrical license generally requires 240 hours of supervised on-the-job training and passage of the required examination.
Are electricians in demand in Virginia?
Virginia projects electrician employment to grow by approximately 7% from 2022 to 2032, with about 2,270 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Virginia Wages for Electrician (SOC 47-2111) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Virginia Electrician Wages
- Virginia Electrician Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Virginia Electrician Employment Trends
- Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation — Board for Contractors — Licensing authority. Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation — Board for Contractors