Electrician in Florida

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

Median annual salary

$53,100

trending_down -14.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Florida.

engineering

47,980

Jobs (FL)

monitoring Surging

+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$446

Licensing fees

schedule

4-5 years (for journeyman); 6 years (for certified electrical contractor)

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in Florida

To become an electrician in Florida, individuals typically start by completing an apprenticeship, which involves 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction per year, leading to a journeyman license issued at the county or municipal level. For those aiming for a statewide license, becoming a Certified Electrical Contractor is the path, requiring six years of experience and passing comprehensive state exams covering business and finance, and electrical trade knowledge. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board oversees the Certified Electrical Contractor licensing, which also entails financial stability requirements and continuing education for renewal every two years. Florida does not have traditional reciprocity for electrician licenses but offers an endorsement process for Certified Electrical Contractors from other states with substantially equivalent qualifications and extensive experience.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,890

25th percentile $46,880

50th (median) $53,100

75th percentile $61,040

90th (experienced) $71,920

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

checklist Florida requirements

Licensing body	Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or GED; 144 hours of classroom instruction per year during apprenticeship for journeyman license. For Certified Electrical Contractor, experience pathways vary, including combinations of electrical engineering degree, trade management, foreman/supervisor experience, or comprehensive training/education.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Journeyman Electrician Exam (local); Certified Electrical Contractor Exam (state - Business and Finance, and Electrical Trade Knowledge) ($150)
Application fee	$296
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	11.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Florida does not issue a statewide journeyman electrician license; these are issued at the county or municipal level. The state licenses Certified Electrical Contractors. Minimum age for journeyman is 18. Certified Electrical Contractors must also provide a personal credit report, a business financial statement showing a net worth of at least $10,000, and maintain personal, property, and worker's compensation insurance. At least 40% of the required work experience for Certified Electrical Contractors must be in three-phase services.

Source: Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board

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?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
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

What's required to work as an electrician in Florida? expand_more

To become an electrician in Florida, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED; 144 hours of classroom instruction per year during apprenticeship for journeyman license. For Certified Electrical Contractor, experience pathways vary, including combinations of electrical engineering degree, trade management, foreman/supervisor experience, or comprehensive training/education.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Journeyman Electrician Exam (local); Certified Electrical Contractor Exam (state - Business and Finance, and Electrical Trade Knowledge), and submit your application ($296 fee).

Can I work as an electrician in Florida without a license? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as an electrician in Florida. Note: Florida does not issue a statewide journeyman electrician license; these are issued at the county or municipal level. The state licenses Certified Electrical Contractors. Minimum age for journeyman is 18. Certified Electrical Contractors must also provide a personal credit report, a business financial statement showing a net worth of at least $10,000, and maintain personal, property, and worker's compensation insurance. At least 40% of the required work experience for Certified Electrical Contractors must be in three-phase services.

How much does an electrician make in Florida? expand_more

electricians in Florida earn a median of $53,100 annually. — 15% under the $62,350 national average. New electricians start around $37,890; seasoned professionals can reach $71,920.

How much does it cost to become an electrician in Florida? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($150) and application fee ($296). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

How many months or years does electrician certification take in Florida? expand_more

Most candidates in Florida complete the process in 4-5 years (for journeyman); 6 years (for certified electrical contractor), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

How many CE hours do electricians need in Florida? expand_more

License renewal in Florida requires completing 11.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.