Electrician in Arizona: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Arizona employs 21,140 electricians, with a statewide median of $61,060 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arizona licensing picture, and where to train.
What Electricians Earn in Arizona (May 2025)
- Arizona median pay
- $61,060 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $45,540
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $77,060
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $89,600
- Employed in Arizona
- 21,140
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,350 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Arizona markets:
- Flagstaff
- $61,330 (250 employed)
- Phoenix
- $61,210 (17,240 employed)
- Prescott
- $60,380 (330 employed)
- Tucson
- $59,480 (1,340 employed)
- Yuma
- $58,830 (340 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Arizona
Prices in Arizona run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 100.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,060 median is worth closer to $60,636 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Arizona (2024–2034)
Arizona is projected to grow electricians employment +25.6%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 2,824 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Arizona License and Certification Requirements
No statewide journeyman electrician license — ROC contractor license required to operate independently — regulated by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — contractor license only; no statewide journeyman license.
- Arizona has no statewide journeyman electrician license for individual workers. Electricians work under an ROC-licensed electrical contractor (C-11 Commercial or R-11 Residential) without needing their own individual state license.
- To eventually run your own electrical contracting business, you need an ROC contractor license: requires 4 years of trade experience, passing the NASCLA or AZ ROC electrical trade exam and the AZ Statutes and Rules Exam, plus bonding ($5,000) and insurance.
- Phoenix and some other cities issue local journeyman electrician licenses — check with the City of Phoenix (phoenix.gov/pdd) if you plan to work primarily in Phoenix. IBEW Local 640 (Phoenix) and IBEW Local 570 (Tucson) run apprenticeship programs.
Training in Arizona
Phoenix and Tucson have large construction markets with strong demand for electricians. IBEW apprenticeships provide the best pipeline even without a state journeyman card — union contractors pay significantly more than non-union. Entry without a union card: apply to non-union electrical contractors as a helper and work toward employer-sponsored training.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arizona include:
- Carrington College-Phoenix North — Certificate / Associate
- Central Arizona College — Certificate
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Cochise County Community College District — Certificate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.
Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.
Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
First Steps
Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Arizona?
The median wage for electricians in Arizona is $61,060 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,540, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $89,600. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Arizona?
No statewide journeyman electrician license — ROC contractor license required to operate independently, overseen by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — contractor license only; no statewide journeyman license. Arizona has no statewide journeyman electrician license for individual workers. Electricians work under an ROC-licensed electrical contractor (C-11 Commercial or R-11 Residential) without needing their own individual state license.
Is being an Electrician a good career in Arizona?
Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
Which Arizona metros pay electricians the most?
Among Arizona metro areas, Flagstaff leads at $61,330, followed by Phoenix ($61,210), Prescott ($60,380). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Electrician in Arizona?
Real Arizona options include Carrington College-Phoenix North, Central Arizona College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Electrician a growing career in Arizona?
Arizona projects electricians employment to change +25.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,824 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arizona statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — contractor license only; no statewide journeyman license (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arizona wages · Arizona licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.