Electrician Training in Maine | How To Become An Electrician

Electrician Training in Maine

Are you looking for electrician training in Maine? Do you want to live a good life and retire a comfortable and wealthy person? If so you are in the right place. 

Electrician demand in Maine is heavily influenced by the construction industry and it is estimated that the demand will increase by 16.4% till the year 2024. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrical engineers earn a minimum wage of $89,890. Depending on the level of their electrician training and job experience, this figure can easily rise to above $100,000. This salary is enough to guarantee you a comfortable retirement and a holiday trip to the Caribbean once a year.

The demand is also expected to increase after 2024 as more than 400,000 workers are projected to retire within the next 15 years. This will increase electrician wages. When compared to other professions, electricians still have a higher standard of living. These professions are:

  • Electrical Engineers: $89,880
  • Police and Detectives: $72,990
  • Library assistants: $27,220
  • Carpenters: $42,230
  • Plumbers: $50,000
  • Substitute Teachers: $26,580
  • Sales Representatives: $65,850
  • Food Preparation Workers: $25,790
  • Pharmacy Technicians: $31,500

1. Gaining the Experience and Classroom Hours Required to Become a Journeyman

The following terms have been widely used in this article:

Journeyman: This is an individual who works under the supervision of a master electrician and deals with electrical installations and repair.

An Apprentice: This is an individual who has a written agreement to work under the supervision of a journeyman, master electrician or limited electrician to learn the trade.

Electrical Company: An electrical company is defined as a corporation, a firm or a partnership licensed to engage in electrical business activities.

Limited Electrician: This is an electrician who is licensed to work on a specific type of electrical equipment. The license does not allow the holder to operate on equipment outside the specification of the license.

Master Electrician: This is an individual who is licensed to engage in electrical business activities such as fixing electrical equipment, installation of electrical wires, apparatus, and conduits. A master electrician license must have the name of the holder and also indicate the economic activities done

There are five ways in which you can gain the required experience to sit for a journeyman exam. These are;

  • Joining an Apprenticeship Program
  • Joining a Pre-Apprenticeship program
  • Graduating from an Accredited Technical High school
  • Graduating from an Accredited Community College
  • Being a Military member With an Electrical Experience

Electrician School in Maine Through an Apprenticeship Program

An apprenticeship is one of the best programs available especially for students with an electrical background. These programs make it possible for the apprentice to acquire practical experience and feel what it is like to become an electrician.

The Department of Labor has a Maine apprenticeship program. The main aim of the program is to set up structures to ensure that a flexible training program is available for both the employer and the apprentice. The program can be sponsored by a labor group, employees or an employer association.

Once a sponsor sponsors an apprentice, the sponsor will be responsible for ensuring that a professional and safe work environment is available. The sponsor must also ensure that they operate within the prescribed standards of the Department of Labor. They must also ensure that they increase the wages of their apprentices as their electrical knowledge level increases.

To be eligible for an apprenticeship, you must meet the following requirements;

  • Be eligible to work in America
  • Have a GED or high school Diploma
  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Have no criminal record

Electrical Training in Maine through a Pre-Apprenticeship Program

A pre-apprenticeship program is a program designed for those who have not yet completed their high school education. It enables students to work part-time and be able to gain 1,000 hours of the required on-the-job training.

To register for an apprentice program the apprentice and sponsor must register with the Maine apprenticeship program. Keep in mind that the apprentice license must be renewed every 24 months.

Graduating from an Accredited Technical High School

The third approach is by joining and graduating from an accredited technical high school. It is a requirement that schools offering electrician training offer a two year electrical program and a 45-hour course on the National Electrical Code. It will also link you up to a master electrician who will supervise you till you accumulate the required 8,000 hours of experience.

Become an Electrician in Maine through an Accredited Community College

If you decide to join an accredited community college, keep in mind that you should apply for a journeyman exam within 12 months. A community college will offer you a 45-hour course on the National Electrical Code. Through this program, you will also accumulate the required 4,000 hours of training under the supervision of a master electrician.

Becoming a Journeyman Electrician Through Military Experience

This program will only apply if you have military training with electrical experience. The first step is sending your application to the Electrical Examining Board who will gauge your suitability. If you meet the required criteria you will be invited to sit for a journeyman’s exam.

2. Sitting for a Journeyman License

One main advantage of this license is the increased salary. If you get a journeyman license, expect to get an average salary of $27.79 an hour. As a journeyman, you will no longer be directly supervised by a master electrician. To sit for this exam you must meet the following requirements:

  • Have a classroom training of 576 hours
  • Have worked as an apprentice for at least 8,000 hours

Submit an application to the electrical board with a fee of $25. If approved, you will be expected to pay $75 to Prometric. You will sit for an online exam that will be done in test centers in Bangor or Portland. It will have a three-hour time limit and 80 multiple questions based on the following subjects:

  • Special Conditions
  • Wiring and Protection
  • General Electric Knowledge
  • Special Occupancies
  • Communication Systems
  • Special Equipment
  • Equipment for General Use

Note:

  • A pass mark of 70% is required 
  • You are allowed to go to the examination center with a copy of the National Electrical Code
  • Your license should be renewed every 24 months at a cost of $150
  • You must have a 15-hour continuing education on the National Electric Code to be eligible to renew your license 

3. Gaining the Experience Required to Become a Master Electrician

If you become a master electrician, you are one step away from starting your own business and bidding for multi-million dollar contracts. To qualify as a master electrician, you must meet the following requirements;

  • Have a classroom training of 576 hours
  • Have studied the National Electrical Code for 45 hours
  • Have a work experience of 12,000 hours if you have no Journeyman license

The first step to sitting for a journeyman license is to fill an application form and send it to the electrical board. The board will then schedule a master electrician exam through Prometric. The pass mark is 70% and the exam is to be completed in 4 hours. Expect to be evaluated on the following subjects;

  • Special conditions
  • Communication systems
  • Protection and Control
  • General Electrical Knowledge
  • Special Occupancies
  • Wiring methods and Materials
  • Special Equipment
  • Equipment and General Use
  • General Electrical Knowledge

After getting your master electrician license, it must be renewed every 24 months but before then, you must complete a 15-hour course on the National Electric Code. 

4. Starting an Electrical Business

There are two ways to do this;

  • Register a corporation
  • Register a sole proprietorship 

The following requirements are needed to register a corporation;

  • A sales and use tax certificate
  • Business license
  • To have registered for income tax

The following requirements are needed to register a sole proprietorship business;

  • A business name 
  • Local electrician licenses and Permits
  • An employer identification number

5. Expected Electrician Salaries in Maine

Salaries are affected by experience level and the level of electrical training you've acquired. The salary is also affected by the industry in which one specializes in and by the law of demand and supply.  

Electrician Salaries in Urban and Rural areas

  • Bangor ME: $47,800
  • Portland-South Portland ME: $50,650
  • Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area: $46,800
  • Lewiston-Auburn ME: 51,010

Power-line Installers and Repairers

  • Portland-South Portland: $62,000 – $78,350
  • Lewiston-Auburn: $55,630 – $78,000

Electrician Repairers Specializing in Transport Equipment

  • Northeast Maine rural area: $55,000 - $63,200
  • Portland-South Portland: $60,880 - $76,400

Fire Alarm Installers

  • Portland-South Portland: $48,900 - $63,000
  • Northeast Maine: $43,600 - $63,980

Average Electrician Specialist Salaries in Maine

  • Electrical Equipment Electricians: $54,111
  • Electrical Lighting and Equipment: $30,330
  • Electrical equipment manufacturing: $56,195
  • Appliance Electricians: $63,000
  • Helper Electricians: $31,060
  • Electrical Engineers: $89,860
  • Power line installers and Repair: $55,990
  • Home entertainment and Equipment Installers: $37,880

Electrical training in Maine is a progressive program that requires you to start your career as a journeyman and then work your way up to an independent contractor. Expect wages to increase over the coming years as more electricians retire.

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