Back to the national Electrician profile

Electrician in Idaho: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Idaho employs 5,690 electricians, with a statewide median of $63,000 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Idaho licensing picture, and where to train.

What Electricians Earn in Idaho (May 2025)

Idaho median pay: $63,000 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,830
Experienced (75th percentile): $82,040
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,470
Employed in Idaho: 5,690
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,350 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Idaho markets:

Coeur d'Alene: $66,350 (480 employed)
Idaho Falls: $65,350 (540 employed)
Boise City: $61,610 (2,510 employed)
Pocatello: $60,540 (160 employed)
Logan: $58,070 (350 employed)
Twin Falls: $58,000 (300 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Idaho

Prices in Idaho run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 95.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $63,000 median stretches to roughly $65,969 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Idaho (2024–2034)

Idaho is projected to grow electricians employment +29.2%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,380 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Idaho License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Electrician license — regulated by the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Electrical Board.

Register as an apprentice and complete the required experience (about 4 years) plus related instruction.
Pass the journeyman electrical exam.
Apply to the Idaho Electrical Board (DOPL); advance to a master electrician license to run your own jobs.

Official requirements: Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Electrical Board →

Training in Idaho

IBEW/IEC apprenticeships are the earn-while-you-learn route. Idaho licenses electricians statewide; CE is no longer required to renew a journeyman/master license (effective 2025).

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Idaho include:

College of Eastern Idaho — Associate
Idaho State University — Associate
Lewis-Clark State College — Associate
North Idaho College — Associate

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 Idaho?

The median wage for electricians in Idaho is $63,000 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,830, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,470. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Idaho?

Journeyman Electrician license, overseen by the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Electrical Board. Register as an apprentice and complete the required experience (about 4 years) plus related instruction.

Is being an Electrician a good career in Idaho?

Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

Which Idaho metros pay electricians the most?

Among Idaho metro areas, Coeur d'Alene leads at $66,350, followed by Idaho Falls ($65,350), Boise City ($61,610). 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 Idaho?

Real Idaho options include College of Eastern Idaho, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Electrician a growing career in Idaho?

Idaho projects electricians employment to change +29.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,380 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), Idaho statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Electrical Board (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 Idaho wages · Idaho 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.