How Much Does An Apprentice Electrician Make?

by Team Tradify, February 13, 2024

One of the benefits of starting an electrical apprenticeship is that you can earn while you get paid. In New Zealand, an electrical apprentice can earn an average base salary of $52,634. Australia offers an average of $58,696/year, while the UK's average is £25,437/year, with entry positions at £19,094/year. In the USA, the average is $38,799/year, with a range from $28,000 to $52,000.

When choosing a trade career, it's important to consider your financial future. As an electrician, you’ll be entering one of the top-paying trades. But money shouldn’t be the only factor in your choice of apprenticeship!

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Looking to start your career as an electrician? Check out our guides below for a glimpse of life in the electrical trade:

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Electrical apprentice salaries around the world
How to become an apprentice electrician
What do apprentice electricians do?
Next steps in your electrician career

1. Electrical apprentice salaries around the world

Apprentices are expected to complete their on-site training, as well as any theory work, throughout their apprenticeship. This often requires flexibility around their work hours and days. On the bright side, weekend work and overtime often come with benefits in the form or additional or increased pay, which may not be indicated within the following estimations.

🇺🇲 How much does an apprentice electrician get paid in the United States?

Hourly: $18.34 on average (range: $19.22 - $22.79)
Yearly: $38,799 on average
4th year+: Wages are raised to an average of $24 per hour for fourth-year electrical apprentices

🇬🇧 How much does an apprentice electrician get paid in the United Kingdom?

Hourly: £12.23 on average (range: £10.58 - £24.00)
Yearly: £25,437 on average
4th year+: Fourth-year electrical apprentices can earn around £29 per hour

🇦🇺 How much does an apprentice electrician get paid in Australia?

Hourly: AU$26.62 on average (range: AU$23.17 - AU$34.78)
Yearly: AU$58,696 on average
4th year+: Wages start at around AU$38 per hour for fourth-year electrical apprentices.

🇳🇿 How much does an apprentice electrician get paid in New Zealand?

Hourly: NZ$19.51 on average (range: NZ$17 - NZ$26)
Yearly: NZ$52,634 on average
4th year+: Fourth-year electrical apprentices can expect around NZ$30 per hour

2. How to become an apprentice electrician

To become an apprentice electrician, you'll need to meet specific requirements, which vary by country. Generally, you must be at least between 15 to 18 years old, with some level of high school education. The minimum requirements for starting your electrical apprenticeship are:

🇺🇲 United States: Starting at 16, you can enrol in a Youth Apprenticeship Programme, potentially allowing you to begin your apprenticeship while still attending school.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: The minimum age is 16, and you should not be in full-time education. You can apply while still in school but can only start after leaving full-time education.
🇦🇺 Australia: You must be at least 15 years old and have completed year 10. Apprenticeships can start while you're in school, with years 11 and 12 completed alongside part-time practical training.
🇳🇿 New Zealand: The minimum age for starting an apprenticeship is 16. Training can start post-school or while you're at high school through a gateway programme.

Your first steps to apply for an electrical apprenticeship could include checking trade association sites, online job boards, and vocational colleges in your area. It’s also worth speaking to local electrical companies, as they may be willing to support you through an apprenticeship, even if they’re not actively recruiting. You should then prepare a CV highlighting any relevant skills or experience.

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3. What do apprentice electricians do?

It takes an average of four years to complete an electrical apprenticeship. In that time you will learn the basics of electrical practical and theory work, including wiring techniques, circuit construction, safety standards and regulations, and electrical theory — basically what tool does what, where and why!

As an electrical apprentice, your job is to learn as much as possible about your trade before getting qualified. You'll get hands-on experience through training under the supervision of experienced electricians, allowing you to apply what you've learned in the real world. By the end, you’ll be capable of diagnosing and repairing electrical problems, installing electrical systems, and ensuring that work complies with national and local electrical codes. By then, you'll be prepared to take the journeyman electrician exam and be closer to becoming a fully qualified electrician!

4. Next steps in your electrician career

There are plenty of opportunities for electricians throughout their careers, from full-time employment to contracting, working within residential, commercial, industrial, or maintenance sectors, or exploring niche specialties within the trade. For those looking to venture into entrepreneurship, starting your own electrical business comes with a whole host of opportunities and rewards.

Tradify can help you get there.

Starting an apprenticeship as an electrician can be the start of a rewarding career path, with competitive salaries and a clear and varied path to future growth.

Electricians who want to grow successful trade businesses use Tradify. Sign up for a free 14-day trial, or jump into one of our weekly live walkthroughs.

Please note: This article is not intended as financial advice. Please check with your local governing bodies, union reps and agencies regarding questions concerning your pay. The information found in this article was found via. a range of sources, including; Seek.com, Glassdoor.com, PayScale.com & Indeed.com