Electrician in Mississippi

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

Median annual salary

$57,300

trending_down -8.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Mississippi.

engineering

5,650

Jobs (MS)

monitoring Surging

+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$640

Licensing fees

schedule

Approximately 5 years (for journeyman level, including apprenticeship)

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in Mississippi

To become an electrician in Mississippi, individuals typically start by obtaining a local journeyman license, which often requires around five years of combined classroom instruction (1,000 hours) and hands-on experience (8,000 hours). The Mississippi State Board of Contractors issues state-level electrical contractor licenses, which are necessary for larger projects. Obtaining a state contractor license involves passing the Mississippi Law and Business Management exam and either the MSBOC Master Electrician Exam or the NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination, along with meeting specific education and experience prerequisites, such as a four-year electrical degree and one year of supervised experience, or four years of supervised experience and trade school certification. Mississippi has reciprocity agreements for trade examinations with several states, including Alabama, Arkansas (electrical excluded), Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, though applicants must still pass the Mississippi Law and Business Management exam and meet other requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $36,850

25th percentile $45,160

50th (median) $57,300

75th percentile $60,870

90th (experienced) $72,520

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

checklist Mississippi requirements

Licensing body	Mississippi State Board of Contractors
State license	Required
Education	Varies by license type and jurisdiction. For a state electrical contractor license, either a four-year electrical degree and one year of supervised experience, or four years of supervised experience and electrical trade school certification is required. Local journeyman licenses typically require 1,000 hours of classroom instruction.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Mississippi Law and Business Management Exam and either the MSBOC Master Electrician Exam or NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Electrical Contractors (for state contractor license); Local journeyman exams vary by municipality. ($240)
Application fee	$400
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	2.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Mississippi issues electrical contractor licenses at the state level through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Journeyman and Master Electrician licenses are typically issued at the local (city/county) level. A state electrical contractor license is required for residential work costing over $10,000 and commercial work costing over $50,000. Minimum age of 18 and a high school diploma or equivalent are generally required. Applicants for a state contractor license must also provide proof of general liability insurance, a financial statement, and reference letters.

Source: Mississippi State Board of Contractors

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_circleMississippi 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

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

The path to electrician licensure in Mississippi: complete the required education (Varies by license type and jurisdiction. For a state electrical contractor license, either a four-year electrical degree and one year of supervised experience, or four years of supervised experience and electrical trade school certification is required. Local journeyman licenses typically require 1,000 hours of classroom instruction.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Mississippi Law and Business Management Exam and either the MSBOC Master Electrician Exam or NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Electrical Contractors (for state contractor license); Local journeyman exams vary by municipality., and submit your application ($400 fee).

Is an electrician license required in Mississippi? expand_more

A state license is required in Mississippi. Mississippi State Board of Contractors handles electrician licensing — the Mississippi Law and Business Management Exam and either the MSBOC Master Electrician Exam or NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Electrical Contractors (for state contractor license); Local journeyman exams vary by municipality. is part of the process.

How much does an electrician make in Mississippi? expand_more

Mississippi electricians bring home a median salary of $57,300. That's 8% below the national median of $62,350. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $36,850, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $72,520.

What are the fees to become an electrician in Mississippi? expand_more

Between exam fee ($240) and application fee ($400), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

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

Expect to spend Approximately 5 years (for journeyman level, including apprenticeship) from start to finish in Mississippi — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

How many CE hours do electricians need in Mississippi? expand_more

License renewal in Mississippi requires completing 2.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.