Electrician in New Jersey: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
New Jersey employs 13,520 electricians, with a statewide median of $77,250 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Jersey licensing picture, and where to train.
What Electricians Earn in New Jersey (May 2025)
- New Jersey median pay
- $77,250 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $48,570
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $121,110
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $130,860
- Employed in New Jersey
- 13,520
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,350 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major New Jersey markets:
- Trenton–Princeton
- $98,210 (600 employed)
- New York–Newark
- $79,020 (36,550 employed)
- Philadelphia
- $74,590 (10,090 employed)
- Allentown–Bethlehem
- $66,500 (1,100 employed)
- Atlantic City
- $65,710 (710 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in New Jersey
Prices in New Jersey run about 9% above the national average (cost-of-living index 108.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $77,250 median is worth closer to $71,002 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in New Jersey (2024–2034)
New Jersey is projected to grow electricians employment +12.7%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,710 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
New Jersey License and Certification Requirements
Class A Electrical Apprentice → Class A Journeyman Electrician — regulated by the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (Division of Consumer Affairs).
- Enroll in a 4-year electrical apprenticeship program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and approved by the NJ Board. Work under the supervision of a licensed Electrical Contractor or Class A Journeyman — no separate apprentice registration fee or card required.
- Accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 576 hours of related classroom instruction. At least 4,000 of the practical hours must be within five years of your application date. Must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED.
- Pass the Journeyman exam and pay the license fee ($150 first year of the triennial cycle, $100 second year, $50 third year). Renewal requires 15 CE hours per 3-year cycle on the current NEC, including 1 hour on NJ statutes and rules.
Training in New Jersey
NJ JATC programs run through IBEW Local 164 (Bergen County), Local 102 (Southern NJ), and Local 456 (Westchester/NJ border). New Jersey's dense construction market — including transit projects (Gateway Tunnel), pharma campuses, and data centers in the I-287 corridor — creates unusually strong demand for licensed electricians.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Jersey include:
- Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS — Certificate
- American Institute-Cherry Hill — Certificate
- American Institute-Clifton — Certificate
- American Institute-Somerset — 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 New Jersey?
The median wage for electricians in New Jersey is $77,250 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,570, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $130,860. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in New Jersey?
Class A Electrical Apprentice → Class A Journeyman Electrician, overseen by the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (Division of Consumer Affairs). Enroll in a 4-year electrical apprenticeship program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and approved by the NJ Board. Work under the supervision of a licensed Electrical Contractor or Class A Journeyman — no separate apprentice registration fee or card required.
Is being an Electrician a good career in New Jersey?
Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
Which New Jersey metros pay electricians the most?
Among New Jersey metro areas, Trenton–Princeton leads at $98,210, followed by New York–Newark ($79,020), Philadelphia ($74,590). 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 New Jersey?
Real New Jersey options include Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS, American Institute-Cherry Hill, American Institute-Clifton. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Electrician a growing career in New Jersey?
New Jersey projects electricians employment to change +12.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,710 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), New Jersey statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (Division of Consumer Affairs) (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 New Jersey wages · New Jersey 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.