Electrician in Hawaii

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

Median annual salary

$83,200

trending_up +33.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Hawaii.

engineering

3,020

Jobs (HI)

monitoring Surging

+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$235

Licensing fees

schedule

5 years

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in Hawaii

To become a Journey Worker Electrician in Hawaii, you must obtain a license from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional & Vocational Licensing, Board of Electricians and Plumbers. This requires a minimum of 10,000 hours of experience over at least five years in residential or commercial wiring, along with 240 hours of electrical coursework from a University of Hawaii Community College program. After your application is approved, you must pass the Hawaii Journey Worker Electrician Examination, which is an open-book test based on the National Electrical Code. Licenses must be renewed every three years and require one hour of continuing education focused on NEC code changes.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $43,960

25th percentile $59,940

50th (median) $83,200

75th percentile $115,930

90th (experienced) $121,050

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

checklist Hawaii requirements

Licensing body	Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional & Vocational Licensing, Board of Electricians and Plumbers
State license	Required
Education	Completion of at least 240 hours of electrical coursework at a University of Hawaii Community College with a board-approved course program.
Experience	10,000.0 hours
Exam	Hawaii Journey Worker Electrician Examination ($100)
Application fee	$135
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	1.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for apprenticeship is 18 years old. Experience must be gained over at least 5 years. CE requirement is completion of a board-approved course on the latest NEC code changes. Exams are open book and allow the use of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Passing score is 70% or higher. The state has adopted the 2020 National Electrical Code. Exam eligibility is valid for two years.

Source: Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional & Vocational Licensing, Board of Electricians and Plumbers

workspace_premium Hawaii license tiers

Hawaii offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Journey Worker Electrician	10,000
Supervising Electrician	18,000

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_circleHawaii 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 you get certified as an electrician in Hawaii? expand_more

To become an electrician in Hawaii, you need to complete the required education (Completion of at least 240 hours of electrical coursework at a University of Hawaii Community College with a board-approved course program.), gain 10,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Hawaii Journey Worker Electrician Examination, and submit your application ($135 fee).

Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Hawaii? expand_more

Yes, Hawaii requires a state license to practice as an electrician. The licensing body is Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional & Vocational Licensing, Board of Electricians and Plumbers. You must pass the Hawaii Journey Worker Electrician Examination.

How much do electricians make in Hawaii? expand_more

Hawaii electricians bring home a median salary of $83,200. That's 33% above the national median of $62,350. Wages range from $43,960 (10th percentile) up to $121,050 (90th percentile).

How expensive is electrician licensing in Hawaii? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($100) and application fee ($135) plus your education and training.

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

The typical timeline in Hawaii is 5 years. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a electrician license in Hawaii? expand_more

License renewal in Hawaii requires completing 1.0 hours of continuing education on a 3.0-year cycle.