Electrician in Virginia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Virginia employs 23,630 electricians, with a statewide median of $62,900 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.
What Electricians Earn in Virginia (May 2025)
- Virginia median pay
- $62,900 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $40,780
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $78,190
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $105,720
- Employed in Virginia
- 23,630
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,350 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Virginia markets:
- Washington DC metro
- $75,930 (16,580 employed)
- Charlottesville
- $62,980 (460 employed)
- Virginia Beach–Norfolk
- $62,350 (5,740 employed)
- Richmond
- $61,350 (3,600 employed)
- Lynchburg
- $58,750 (380 employed)
- Roanoke
- $58,200 (610 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Virginia
Prices in Virginia run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 101.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,900 median is worth closer to $62,216 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Virginia (2024–2034)
Virginia is projected to grow electricians employment +9.2%, about in line with the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 2,560 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Virginia License and Certification Requirements
Journeyman Electrician → Master Electrician (DPOR Tradesman credentials) — regulated by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors / Tradesman Program.
- Entry level requires no individual license — work as an unlicensed helper under a licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician while accumulating experience and formal training hours.
- Journeyman Electrician: requires 4 years of practical experience + 240 hours of formal vocational training (or alternative paths with more experience offsetting less training, down to 7+ years with 40 hours). Pass the Virginia Journeyman Electrician exam (70 questions, 70% to pass).
- Master Electrician: at least 1 year as a licensed Virginia Journeyman, then pass the Master exam. The Journeyman credential is the key step — employers can legally require it for independent work.
Training in Virginia
Virginia apprenticeships run through IBEW Local 666 (Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads), Local 26 (Northern Virginia/DC metro), and IEC Virginia chapters. Northern Virginia's data center corridor — the densest in the world — creates exceptional demand for licensed electricians, with wages well above the state average. Tysons, Loudoun County, and Prince William County are particularly active hiring areas.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Virginia include:
- Blue Ridge Community College — Certificate
- Brightpoint Community College — Associate
- Central Virginia Community College — Certificate
- Centura College-Chesapeake — 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 Virginia?
The median wage for electricians in Virginia is $62,900 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,780, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $105,720. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Virginia?
Journeyman Electrician → Master Electrician (DPOR Tradesman credentials), overseen by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors / Tradesman Program. Entry level requires no individual license — work as an unlicensed helper under a licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician while accumulating experience and formal training hours.
Is being an Electrician a good career in Virginia?
Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
Which Virginia metros pay electricians the most?
Among Virginia metro areas, Washington DC metro leads at $75,930, followed by Charlottesville ($62,980), Virginia Beach–Norfolk ($62,350). 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 Virginia?
Real Virginia options include Blue Ridge Community College, Brightpoint Community College, Central Virginia Community College. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Electrician a growing career in Virginia?
Virginia projects electricians employment to change +9.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,560 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), Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) — Board for Contractors / Tradesman Program (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 Virginia wages · Virginia 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.