At just 23 years old, Jacob Palmer of Concord, North Carolina, is proving that a successful career does not always require a college degree. Instead of taking on student loans and classroom lectures, Palmer chose the skilled trades and built a thriving career as an electrician. Today, he runs his own business and earns a […]
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 […]
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.
Starting September 1, sales contracts for residential solar energy panels are prohibited from making misleading statements about the performance or cost of solar energy panels and must have contracts that include the consumer’s right to cancel the contract within five business days. Under Senate Bill 1036 (89th Texas Legislature), authored by state Senator Judith Zaffirini of Laredo, […]
Safety, awareness, and proper procedure following flood-related electrical damage in Texas After recent flooding across many parts of Texas, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has issued an important reminder to all electrical contractors, journeyman electricians, and their teams: take extreme caution when dealing with electrical systems that may have been exposed […]
Inside a warehouse in metro Atlanta, possibility is buzzing — literally. From pulling wire through metal conduit to wiring outlets and drilling in their first receptacles, young trainees are learning how to build careers from the ground up. It’s all part of Career Ready ATL, a workforce initiative backed by the United Way of Greater […]