The Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners recently held a public hearing to consider removing a long-standing exemption that allows low-voltage technicians to work without a full journeyperson electrician license for smaller jobs like landscape lighting, security system installs, and doorbell work. The proposal drew strong opposition from contractors, trade associations, and business leaders who said […]
Charlottesville will host NextGen Skilled Trades Day on October 4 at Piedmont Virginia Community College. The event will connect students, families, educators, and jobseekers with careers in the skilled trades. Visitors can explore electrician work, HVAC, welding, and other high-demand fields. Employers will share career paths, certifications, and apprenticeship opportunities. Hands-on demonstrations will give attendees […]
Becoming a licensed electrician is an important milestone in your career. The licensing exam is the final step between where you are now and the opportunities that come with professional certification. Whether you are preparing for your journeyman, master electrician, or contractor license, understanding what the exam entails can make a huge difference in […]
One of the biggest challenges electricians face on the licensing exam isn’t the math or even the tricky word problems—it’s confusing similar NEC Articles. With hundreds of pages and overlapping topics, it’s easy to flip to the wrong section and waste precious minutes. Worse, picking the wrong Article can mean a completely wrong answer. The […]
A Northwest Oklahoma City electrician and father of six, who’s spent 23 years building up his tool collection, had hundreds of tools stolen from the back of his truck while working on a job. The theft was caught on camera — suspects pulled up, loaded the tools into their vehicle, and were gone in under […]
SLIDESHOW: In 2023, cities in California topped the charts when it came to the highest compensation for electricians. However, there was a shift in 2024 — overwhelmingly, cities in Washington state make up most of the Top 10 highest-paying cities for electricians, according to data from “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024 Study,” provided by the […]
VIDEO: As construction booms in Utah, trade jobs are increasing in demand. Encore Electric is one Utah company actively recruiting electricians from entry-level to experienced. “What I am seeing in trades right now is somewhat of a shortage in skilled workers,” said Steven Wehr, with Encore Electric. “There is a huge need for it. There […]
The U.S. economy has a shocking problem: too few electricians.
At least 10,000 openings need to be filled nationwide, with an annual shortfall of around 3,000 electricians, according to workforce estimates. Many of these jobs offer six-figure salaries, full benefits, and long-term stability—yet positions remain vacant.
The shortage comes at a time when demand has never been higher. The global data center construction market is expected to top $200 billion, fueled by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure. The U.S. is one of the largest hubs for this growth, with Virginia, Texas, and New York leading the way. Every new facility requires a skilled army of electricians to keep servers cool and powered around the clock.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent annual growth in electrician jobs from 2022 to 2032—double the average for all occupations. That means nearly 73,500 openings each year across sectors, with data centers, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing all competing for the same pool of talent.
When you stare at a math problem and keep reworking it, you might think you’re being thorough. But overthinking often makes problems harder than they are. Sometimes the simplest solution is also the correct one. This lesson applies not only to classroom math but also to timed electrical licensing exams and on-the-job problem-solving. Why We […]