Trade Schools
The electrician profession is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
With approximately 84,700 new jobs expected to occur each year over the decade, employment prospects are looking good for workers in this field.
California is the state with the highest employment level for electricians, according to BLS.
The median annual wage reported by workers in this profession in California is $75,870.
If you have good troubleshooting skills and enjoy working with your hands, earning an electrician degree or diploma can lead to a rewarding career.
California is home to many community colleges and trade schools that can help you start a career in this field.
We invite you to read further to find out more about the available options.
1Summit College
About the School
Summit College offers career training programs at three California campuses: San Bernandino, El Cajon, and Santa Ana.
Courses Offered
Summit College provides an Electrician Diploma that prepares students for a career in as little as nine months.
The curriculum includes 340 hours of lab-based, hands-on training and 380 hours of theory.
The program focuses on hands-on training to provide students with real-world experience in a state-of-the-industry lab.
Students learn from experienced instructors with extensive knowledge in the field.
Flexible class schedules are available to accommodate students’ lifestyles.
The curriculum covers topics on Measuring, Electrical Circuits, Green Electricity, Residential Installation, Commercial Installation, and AC Machines and Motors.
Graduates are ready for employment as power line installers and repairers, power tool repairers, electrical drafters, residential installers, and commercial installers.
The school also provides resume and cover letter instruction, career counseling, interview preparation assistance, and assistance in career research.
Summit College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training.
Contact Information
- Address: 804 East Brier Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92408
- Phone: 888-504-2552
- Website: https://official.summitcollege.edu
2Center for Employment Training
About the School
The Center for Employment Training offers training programs at several California locations.
Classes are available in business, child care, construction, building maintenance, culinary medical, technical trades, truck driving, and logistics.
The Center for Employment Training provides year-round open enrollment.
Students who attend a full-time schedule at the center can graduate in less than one year.
Courses Offered
An Electrician (Residential and General) program is available at the center.
The program teaches students how to inspect, troubleshoot and repair electrical systems.
This program includes classes topics such as Electrical Safety, Commercial Electricity, Photovoltaic Systems, Residential Electricity, Wiring and Installation, Job preparation, and more.
After enrollment, students can register for an Electrician in Training card.
This program is available at three California locations: San Jose, Soledad, and Colton.
Students enrolled in the daytime program meet Monday to Friday for six hours.
The Center for Employment Training provides open enrollment, which means that students can start class anytime.
Job placement assistance is available.
Financial aid is also available for students who qualify.
Contact Information
- Address: 701 Vine Street, San Jose, CA 95110
- Phone: (408) 534-5360
- Website: https://cetweb.edu
3Orange County Electrical Training Institute
About the School
Orange County Electrical Training Institute provides apprenticeship programs for those who want to further their careers.
The following career options are available:
- Inside Wireman
- Sound Installer
- Intelligent Traffic Systems
The school accepts applications on the first and third Wednesday from 8 to 11 a.m. from 1 to 3 p.m. of each month, except for December.
Students earn a living wage while they learn the skills required by their future profession.
College credits are also offered.
Continuing education courses are also available on the following topics:
- Electric Vehicle Charging Systems- a 32-hour course
- OSHA 30 Certification
- Advanced Lighting Class
- PSI Practice Exams
- And more
Costs vary depending on the program.
The Journeyman Electrician practice test is based on the national Journeyman Electrician test’s objectives and includes questions similar to those included in the actual tests.
This practice test costs $29.99
An Electric Vehicle Charging Systems course is also included in the school’s catalog and costs $81.
Students receive a certificate after completing this program for Continuing Education Units.
Classes at Orange County Electrical Training Institute are limited to 20 students maximum.
Contact Information
- Address: 1261 E. Dyer Road, Santa Ana, CA 92705
- Phone: (714) 245 9988
- Website: https://www.ocett.org
4Southern California Institute of Technology
About the School
Southern California Institute of Technology provides hands-on technology and engineering programs.
Students have access to hands-on labs where they practice the concepts learned in the classroom.
The Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The institute’s catalog includes an Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree and a General Electrician Diploma.
This Bachelor Degree program can be completed in less than three years.
Classes are available in the afternoon on campus and online.
The General Electrician program is designed to be completed in eight months and prepares students for a variety of professions in the electrical field.
The General Electrician curriculum includes courses on topics such as:
- Principles of Electricity
- Residential Electrical Installation
- Commercial Electrical Installation
- Specialty Electrical Installation
- Electrical Motor Control
- Programmable Logic Controllers
The General Electrician program costs $19,190 in total.
This cost includes tuition, lab fees, books, and materials.
The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering program costs $67,705 in total.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Contact Information
- Address: 525 North Muller Street, Anaheim, CA 92801
- Phone: 714.300.0300
- Website: https://www.scitech.edu
5InterCoast College
About the School
InterCoast College provides training in a wide range of industries, including electricity.
Training is available at several California campuses: Rancho Cordova, Riverside, Santa Ana, West Covina, and Fairfield.
Courses Offered
InterCoast College catalog includes an Electrical Training program.
The curriculum covers topics on:
- The fundamentals of electricity and power distribution
- Basic trade mathematics
- National electrical code requirements
- Wiring requirements in commercial, industrial, and residential settings
- Control theories and fundamentals
The Electrical Training program includes 900 hours of training and takes 50 weeks to complete.
Financial aid is available to students who qualify.
A hybrid program is also available for students who want to blend on-campus and online learning.
Students enrolled in the blended program attend an Electrical Training lab on-campus one day per week, typically on the weekend, depending on the campus, and complete the rest of the instruction online.
Contact Information
- Address: 2235 E. Garvey North, West Covina, CA 91791
- Phone: 626-337-6800
- Website: https://intercoast.edu
6DeHart Technical School
About the School
DeHart Technical School provides classroom education and hands-on training in HVAC, electrical, and plumbing fields.
Students enrolled at the school become familiar with diagnostic equipment and tools by learning hand-on how to use them.
Courses Offered
The school’s catalog includes the following courses and programs:
- Facilities Maintenance
- Facilities Maintenance HVAC Course 1 – a 24-week Hybrid program that combines on-campus with online training
- HVAC/R Facilities Maintenance Course 2- a 36-week Hybrid program
- HVAC/R Facilities Maintenance Course 3- Hybrid- a 52-week Hybrid program
- Advanced Training Module- Hybrid
- Section 608 EPA Certification
The Facilities Maintenance programs cover courses on:
- Electrical and Solar Applications
- Wiring Diagrams and Troubleshooting
- Gas and Electric Heating- a course included in Facilities Maintenance 3
- And more
The Advanced training module includes the following courses:
- Low-Temperature and Medium-Temperature Systems with Electrical
- Advanced Refrigeration and Ice Machines with Electrical
Tuition costs vary depending on the program.
The 52-week HVAC/R Facilities Maintenance Course 3 costs approximately $17,990 in total.
The total cost includes tuition, registration fee, books, tools, supplies, uniforms, and testing fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 311 Bitritto Way, Suite C, Modesto, California 95356
- Phone: (209) 497-6105
- Website: http://www.deharttech.edu
7Los Angeles Trade Tech
About the School
Los Angeles Trade Tech is a community college that provides trade education in a variety of industries.
Available are nine pathway meta-majors.
In total, there are 97 programs of study.
Los Angeles Trade- Technical College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes the following Electrical-related programs:
- Electrical Construction and Maintenance
- Electrical Line-Worker (Lineman)
The Electrical Construction and Maintenance program helps students prepare for careers as Electricians.
This program can lead to an Electrical Construction Maintenance Associate of Science Degree, an Electrical Construction and Maintenance Construction Technologies Associate of Arts Degree, as well as Certificates of Achievement.
Full-time students spend approximately 24 hours per week in the classrooms and laboratories and have to complete 12 hours of homework every week.
Utility Industry Fundamentals and Powerline Mechanic Certificates of Achievement are available at Los Angeles Trade Tech, as well as an Associate of Science degree in Renewable Energy Generation, Transmission, and Distribution with an emphasis on Powerline Mechanic.
Contact Information
- Address: 400 West Washington Blvd, Los Angeles 90015
- Phone: (213) 763-7000
- Website: http://www.lattc.edu
8ABC San Diego
About the School
ABC San Diego is the San Diego chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors.
The association offers apprenticeship training programs since 1976.
Its headquarters include state-of-the-art construction training facilities with workshops and classrooms.
ABC prepares hundreds of skilled workers in safety, electrical, electronic systems, pipefitting, plumbing, and sheet metal every year.
Apprenticeship programs allow students to learn a new trade through on-the-job and class training while also earning a salary.
The salary increases periodically, as the apprentice advances in the training.
College credits are also offered at no tuition fees.
Continuing education classes are also available online and in person.
Courses Offered
Apprenticeship training is available at ABC San Diego in the following fields: Electrical, Electronic Systems Technician, Sheet Metal, Plumbing, and Pipefitting.
Continuing education programs are also available on topics such as:
- Forklift Operator Training
- AutoCAD Fundamentals
- Fall Protection Awareness
- OSHA 30-Hour
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 13825 Kirkham Way, Poway, CA 92064
- Phone: 858-513-4700
- Website: https://abcsd.org
9UEI College
About the School
UEI College offers vocational training that prepares students for rewarding careers in a wide range of industries.
Programs are available at several locations in California, including Bakersfield, Chula Vista, Fresno, Sacramento, and Riverside.
Most programs don’t require a high school diploma or equivalent for admission.
Courses Offered
The Chulla Vista campus provides an Electrician Technician program that can be completed in as few as 10 months.
The program blends online and on-campus training.
New classes begin every month.
Students get ready for employment as entry-level technicians.
The curriculum covers topics on Basic Safety, Introduction to Electrical Theory, Flexible Cables, Residential Applications, Low Voltage Applications, Motor and Industrial Motor Controls, and many other topics.
The Chula Vista campus includes 22 classrooms, including business, dental, allied health, HVAC, automotive, criminal justice, and electrician labs.
UEI College Chulla Vista is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training.
Contact Information
- Address: 1261 3rd Ave. Suite A Chula Vista, CA 91911 (Chula Vista campus)
- Phone: (619) 739-4643
- Website: https://www.uei.edu
10San Joaquin Valley College
About the School
San Joaquin Valley College provides trade and industrial training at its Trades Education Center in Fresno, California.
SJVC is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes an Electrical Technology pathway that prepares students for careers in the fields of installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories.
The training program is designed to provide students with hands-on education from experienced staff.
Students enrolled in this program learn a variety of related topics, including:
- PLC and motor controls
- Electrical conduit bending
- Electrical blueprint reading
- Safety standards
- Electrical circuity, and more
This program can be completed in as few as 10-14 months.
The program helps students to become certified in OSHA 10 and prepares them for the California General Electrician Certification Exam.
According to the certification standards set by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, students must pass an exam and complete 8,000 hours of work for C-10 electrical contractors.
Contact Information
- Address: 4985 East Andersen Avenue, Fresno CA 93727
- Phone: (559) 453-0123
- Website: https://www.sjvc.edu
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 1,380 | $73,220 | $35.2 | $111,810 | $39,720 |
| Chico, CA | 350 | $66,020 | $31.74 | $100,800 | $38,500 |
| El Centro, CA | 160 | $68,740 | $33.05 | $105,580 | $36,850 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,690 | $66,270 | $31.86 | $101,030 | $37,530 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 100 | $66,360 | $31.9 | $87,400 | $43,680 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 20,870 | $77,150 | $37.09 | $119,390 | $43,820 |
| Madera, CA | 130 | $74,870 | $36 | $119,780 | $44,720 |
| Merced, CA | 130 | $71,290 | $34.28 | $123,690 | $44,740 |
| Modesto, CA | 830 | $69,000 | $33.17 | $100,400 | $38,010 |
| Napa, CA | 200 | $69,600 | $33.46 | $103,090 | $43,610 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 1,050 | $68,020 | $32.7 | $101,220 | $45,250 |
| Redding, CA | 290 | $78,870 | $37.92 | $126,330 | $42,770 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 7,820 | $69,590 | $33.46 | $124,970 | $37,160 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 6,030 | $74,730 | $35.93 | $126,760 | $39,530 |
| Salinas, CA | 440 | $72,530 | $34.87 | $107,200 | $41,600 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 8,390 | $69,940 | $33.63 | $106,960 | $40,230 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 9,990 | $96,330 | $46.31 | $164,360 | $47,650 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 4,700 | $99,230 | $47.71 | $167,390 | $48,980 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 490 | $75,640 | $36.37 | $128,460 | $39,130 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 290 | $73,180 | $35.18 | $100,290 | $44,600 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 630 | $67,160 | $32.29 | $99,130 | $38,980 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 1,110 | $75,640 | $36.36 | $113,420 | $44,010 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 1,390 | $73,540 | $35.36 | $124,920 | $39,570 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 720 | $75,550 | $36.32 | $120,260 | $47,050 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 570 | $67,190 | $32.3 | $101,550 | $36,780 |
| Yuba City, CA | 140 | $69,880 | $33.6 | $100,240 | $41,410 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
The state with the highest employment level for electricians, California is home to many trade schools that offer training in this field.
Now that you have read our list of top electrician training programs, it’s your turn to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
