Electrician in Delaware

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

Median annual salary
$62,970
trending_up +1.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Delaware.

engineering
2,220

Jobs (DE)

monitoring Surging
+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$199

Licensing fees

schedule
4-5 years (apprenticeship)

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in Delaware

To become a licensed Journeyperson Electrician in Delaware, individuals must complete an 8,000-hour (approximately four to five years) apprenticeship program or gain equivalent work experience under a licensed electrician, and complete 144 hours of related instruction. Applicants must pass the Delaware Journeyman Electrician Exam, administered by Prov, Inc., and pay an application fee of $99 and an exam fee of $100. Licenses must be renewed every two years, requiring 5 continuing education hours per cycle, all related to the National Electrical Code. Delaware offers reciprocity with Maryland and New Jersey, where licensure standards are considered substantially similar.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $38,730
25th percentile $49,650
50th (median) $62,970
75th percentile $78,340
90th (experienced) $105,110

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

checklist Delaware requirements

Licensing bodyDivision of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners
State license Required
EducationCompletion of an apprenticeship program or 144 hours of related instruction for Journeyperson. Master Electrician requires 576 hours of Board-approved training or two years of technical training in addition to experience.
Experience8,000.0 hours
ExamDelaware Journeyman Electrician Exam (Prometric) ($100)
Application fee$99
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education5.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum age for Journeyperson exam is 20 years old. Master Electricians, Master Electrician Specials, Limited Electricians, and Limited Electrician Specials require 10 CE hours per cycle, with 5 hours related to the NEC. Journeypersons, Residential, and Apprentice Electricians require 5 CE hours per cycle, all related to the NEC. Liability insurance of at least $300,000 is required for Master and Limited licenses. The board offers various limited and specialty electrician licenses as well.

Source: Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners

workspace_premium Delaware license tiers

Delaware offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:

Tier Hours required
Apprentice N/A
Journeyperson 8,000
Master 12,000

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_circleDelaware license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+9.5%)
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as an electrician in Delaware? expand_more
In Delaware, becoming an electrician requires you to complete the required education (Completion of an apprenticeship program or 144 hours of related instruction for Journeyperson. Master Electrician requires 576 hours of Board-approved training or two years of technical training in addition to experience.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Delaware Journeyman Electrician Exam (Prometric), and submit your application ($99 fee).
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Delaware? expand_more
You cannot practice as an electrician in Delaware without a state license from Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Electrical Examiners. The required exam is the Delaware Journeyman Electrician Exam (Prometric).
What is the average electrician salary in Delaware? expand_more
In Delaware, the median pay for electricians comes to $62,970/year. That's roughly in line with the $62,350 national median. Wages range from $38,730 (10th percentile) up to $105,110 (90th percentile).
How expensive is electrician licensing in Delaware? expand_more
Costs include exam fee ($100) and application fee ($99). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.
How many months or years does electrician certification take in Delaware? expand_more
Expect to spend 4-5 years (apprenticeship) from start to finish in Delaware — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.
What are the continuing education requirements for electricians in Delaware? expand_more
Yes — electricians in Delaware must complete 5.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.

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