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

Skilled trades

Nevada employs 8,350 electricians, with a statewide median of $73,570 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Nevada licensing picture, and where to train.

What Electricians Earn in Nevada (May 2025)

Nevada median pay: $73,570 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,110
Experienced (75th percentile): $96,550
Top earners (90th percentile): $121,200
Employed in Nevada: 8,350
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,350 (May 2024)

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

Carson City: $81,880 (300 employed)
Reno: $72,800 (1,490 employed)
Las Vegas: $70,890 (5,730 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Nevada

Prices in Nevada run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $73,570 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Nevada (2022–2032)

Nevada is projected to grow electricians employment +14.1%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally.

Nevada License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman electrician card (local) / Electrical Contractor license (state) — regulated by the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) — contractor; local jurisdictions issue journeyman cards.

Complete a 3–4 year apprenticeship with on-the-job experience and instruction.
Obtain a journeyman electrician card through your local licensing authority (e.g., Clark County, City of Reno).
To contract, qualify for the electrical contractor license through the Nevada State Contractors Board (4 years' trade experience + financial responsibility).

Official requirements: Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) — contractor; local jurisdictions issue journeyman cards →

Training in Nevada

Journeyman cards are issued locally in Nevada while contractor licensing is statewide. IBEW/IEC apprenticeships are the earn-while-you-learn route.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Nevada include:

Advanced Training Institute — Certificate
College of Southern Nevada — Certificate / Associate
Great Basin College — Certificate
Las Vegas College — 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 Nevada?

The median wage for electricians in Nevada is $73,570 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,110, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $121,200. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyman electrician card (local) / Electrical Contractor license (state), overseen by the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) — contractor; local jurisdictions issue journeyman cards. Complete a 3–4 year apprenticeship with on-the-job experience and instruction.

Is being an Electrician a good career in Nevada?

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

Which Nevada metros pay electricians the most?

Among Nevada metro areas, Carson City leads at $81,880, followed by Reno ($72,800), Las Vegas ($70,890). 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 Nevada?

Real Nevada options include Advanced Training Institute, College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Electrician a growing career in Nevada?

Nevada projects electricians employment to change +14.1% from 2022 to 2032 — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Nevada statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) — contractor; local jurisdictions issue journeyman cards (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 Nevada wages · Nevada 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.