Electrician in Alaska

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AK. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$81,860

trending_up +31.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Alaska.

engineering

1,820

Jobs (AK)

monitoring Surging

+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$100

Licensing fees

schedule

Approximately 4 years (based on 8,000 hours of experience)

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in Alaska

To become a certified Journeyman Electrician in Alaska, individuals must obtain a Certificate of Fitness from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards and Safety, Mechanical Inspection Section. This requires documenting 8,000 hours of electrical work experience, with a minimum of 6,000 hours in commercial or industrial settings, and passing the Journeyman Electrician Examination. The application fee for the exam is $50, and the license renewal fee is $210 every two years, with 16 continuing education hours required per cycle. Alaska has reciprocity agreements for journeyman electricians with several states, including Arkansas, Colorado, and Texas.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $49,820

25th percentile $61,110

50th (median) $81,860

75th percentile $98,740

90th (experienced) $114,480

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Alaska. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Alaska requirements

Licensing body	Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards and Safety, Mechanical Inspection Section
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a state-approved apprenticeship program or equivalent, or up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom training can be substituted for 1,000 hours of the 8,000 experience hours.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Journeyman Electrician Examination ($50)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	16.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is not explicitly stated for Journeyman Electrician, but generally 18 years old for apprenticeships. At least 6,000 of the 8,000 hours must be in commercial or industrial settings; no more than 2,000 hours can be residential. No maintenance hours apply. The exam is open book and requires a 70% passing score. The Certificate of Fitness is issued by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, while the Electrical Administrator license (for supervising projects and running a business) is issued by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards and Safety, Mechanical Inspection Section

workspace_premium Alaska license tiers

Alaska offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Journeyman Electrician	8,000
Residential Electrician	4,000

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+9.5%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

81,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

818,700

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.78/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleAlaska license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+9.5%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an electrician career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become an electrician in Alaska? expand_more

Alaska requires electricians to complete the required education (Completion of a state-approved apprenticeship program or equivalent, or up to 1,000 hours of trade-related classroom training can be substituted for 1,000 hours of the 8,000 experience hours.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Journeyman Electrician Examination, and submit your application ($50 fee).

Does Alaska require electrician licensure? expand_more

Alaska mandates state licensure for electricians. Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards and Safety, Mechanical Inspection Section oversees the process, which includes passing the Journeyman Electrician Examination.

How much does an electrician make in Alaska? expand_more

Alaska electricians bring home a median salary of $81,860. — 31% higher than the $62,350 national figure. Wages range from $49,820 (10th percentile) up to $114,480 (90th percentile).

What's the total cost to get electrician certified in Alaska? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($50) and application fee ($50). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

What's the timeline to become an electrician in Alaska? expand_more

In Alaska, becoming an electrician generally takes Approximately 4 years (based on 8,000 hours of experience), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

How many CE hours do electricians need in Alaska? expand_more

License renewal in Alaska requires completing 16.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.