Trade Schools
If you’re passionate about physics and electricity and you enjoy working with your hands, a career as an Electrician can be both professionally and personally rewarding.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by Iowa electricians was $56,740 as of May 2021.
The skills for this trade can be learned through a post-secondary program or an apprenticeship that combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
While certificate or associate’s degree programs can be completed in one or two years, apprenticeships take up to five years to complete.
To help you choose the format that works best for you, on this page we have compiled information about the best electrician programs in Iowa.
1Hawkeye Community College
About the School
Hawkeye Community College offers different types of programs that prepare students for a variety of career areas.
The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The following Construction Trades programs are included in the college’s catalog:
- Carpentry Apprenticeship
- Electrical Apprenticeship
- Heating and Air Conditioning
- HVAC Apprenticeship
- Introduction to Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship
- Plumbing Apprenticeship
- Sustainable Construction and Design
The Electrical Apprenticeship program is designed to help students fulfill the 144 classroom training hours required by approved apprenticeship programs.
The curriculum combines face-to-face with online training.
The program includes four levels of training, each including 144 hours.
Tuition is $925 for each 144 training hours.
The preparation class and exam cost $475.
The Electrical Apprenticeship curriculum covers topics such as:
- Alternating Current
- Digital Multimeter Abbreviations, Symbols, and Terminology
- Electrical Safety
- Ohm’s Law and Power Formula
- Requirements for Electrical Installations
- Low Voltage Lighting
- Appliances
- Dwelling Unit Calculations
- Motors and Transformers
- And many other topics
Contact Information
- Address: 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, IA 50704-8015
- Phone: 319-296-2320
- Website: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu
2Northwest Iowa Community College
About the School
Northwest Iowa Community College offers training programs for high school students and undergraduate students.
Continuing education courses are also available for workers who want to keep up with the latest advancements in their field of expertise.
Tuition is $194 per semester credit for resident students.
Courses Offered
The following Electrical/Construction programs are available at Northwest Iowa Community College:
- Electrical Technology
- Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance
- Industrial and Commercial Wiring
- Industrial Instrumentation & Control
- Powerline
- Powerline Technology
The Electrical Technology program is designed for students who want to combine wiring skills and industrial electronic fundamentals.
Students also learn about electrical control of temperature, pressure, and liquid flow.
The Powerline program teaches students how to climb, set, and remove poles, frame structures, install conductors, and street lights, underground cables, and a variety of other skills needed by workers in this field.
The Powerline Technology program provides students with the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree and find employment as line foremen, line superintendents, operations managers, and other related occupations.
Contact Information
- Address: 603 West Park Street, Sheldon, Iowa 51201
- Phone: (712) 324-5061
- Website: https://nwicc.edu
3Southwestern Community College
About the School
Southwestern Community College offers a variety of educational programs that can lead to degrees or certificates.
The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes an Electrical Technology program.
This program provides students with the skills needed for entry-level employment in residential or commercial construction or industrial maintenance.
Students enrolled in this program become familiar with the electrical operations of alternative energy systems.
Depending on the number of credits completed, students can earn a Diploma or Associate of Applied Science Degree.
The Electrical Technology program teaches a variety of skills, including:
- Describing how systems, components, and theories work
- How to use tools, how to perform circuit assembly, analytical instrumentation skills, and many other hands-on skills
- Demonstrate troubleshooting skills
- Develop solutions to open-ended problems
- And more
The Electrical Technology program is approved by the Iowa Electrical Examining Board Post-Secondary Electrical Program.
Contact Information
- Address: 1501 W. Townline St. Creston, IA 50801
- Phone: 641.782.7081
- Website: https://www.swcciowa.edu
4Iowa Central Community College
About the School
Iowa Central Community College offers a wide range of degrees and programs.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Among many other training opportunities, the college’s catalog includes the following electricity-related programs:
- Electrical Apprenticeship
- Electrical/Mechanical Technician
- Electrical Technologies
The Electrical Apprenticeship is approved by the Department of Labor and the courses can also be applied toward an Associate in Applied Science degree.
This program combines theory, lab work, and work experience.
The Electrical Technologies program provides training for entry-level positions as residential electricians, plant maintenance electricians, and wind farm electricians.
After successfully completing the program students receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree.
With this degree, after also earning 6,000 hours of work as apprentice electricians students are eligible for the State of Iowa Journeyman Electrical License.
The Electrical/Mechanical Technician program prepares students for entry-level positions such as machine repairers, in the field of building and plant maintenance, or as plant maintenance electricians.
Contact Information
- Address: One Triton Cir, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
- Phone: 800-362-2793
- Website: https://www.iowacentral.edu
5Ellsworth Community College
About the School
Ellsworth Community College offers a variety of academic programs.
Iowa resident tuition is $190 per credit hour.
Additional costs, such as materials/technology, student, and facility fees bring the total cost to $216 per credit for Iowa residents.
Courses Offered
The college offers an Engineering pathway.
This program teaches students the theories and applications for electrical power distribution, digital circuit design, signal control systems, and many other skills.
Students are advised to enroll in an Associate of Arts program if they want to transfer credits towards a bachelor’s degree at a college or university outside of Iowa.
Those who want to transfer credits towards a bachelor’s degree in the state of Iowa are advised to enroll in an Associate in Science program.
This pathway includes classes on:
- General Chemistry
- Calculus
- Classical Physics
- Engineering Problems with Programming
- Precalculus
- Electives
- And more
An Associate in Science degree requires 65 hours in total, 18 comprised of general education classes, 26 of program requirements, and 21 of electives.
Contact Information
- Address: 1100 College Avenue, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126
- Phone: 641-648-4611
- Website: https://ecc.iavalley.edu
6Des Moines Area Community College
About the School
Des Moines Area Community College offers training programs in a variety of areas of interest.
The college has campuses in Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Urban/Des Moines, and West Des Moines.
Tuition is $178 per credit hour for Iowa residents.
Des Moines Area Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The college’s Engineering, Manufacturing, Building Trades, & Transportation pathway includes an Electric Utility Technology program.
This program can lead to an Electric Utility Technology Diploma in 12 months or to an Electric Utility Technology A.A.S. Degree with a Management and Leadership Certificate in 20 months.
Both programs include hands-on training, focused on safety and practical experience.
The Electric Utility Technology curriculum covers topics on:
- Electric Utility
- Principles of Electricity
- Transmission & Distribution
- Safe Operation of Power Equipment
- Line Maintenance
- Electric Utility Internship
- And many other topics
Contact Information
- Address: 1100 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314
- Phone: 515-964-6200
- Website: https://www.dmacc.edu
7North Iowa Area Community College
About the School
North Iowa Area Community College offers training programs in a variety of fields.
Certificate and Associate in Applied Science degrees are available at the college.
Tuition is $179.25 per credit hour for Iowa residents.
North Iowa Area Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
A skilled trades meta major is offered by North Iowa Area Community College.
This program is designed for students who want to enter a dynamic career in a high-demand industry.
The following majors are available:
- Building Trades Diploma or Certificate
- Heating and Air Conditioning Technology, Associate in Applied Science
- Industrial Systems Technology, A.A.S.
- Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance, A.A.S.
- Fundamentals of Welding Certificate
- And more
The Industrial Systems Technology includes courses on:
- Electronic Circuit Analysis
- Skills and Safety in Industry
- Introduction to Programming Logic with Language
- Motor Control Circuits
- Analog and Digital Electronics
- Electric Motor Drives
- Facilities Maintenance
- And many other subjects
In total, this program includes 64 semester hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
- Phone: 641-423-1264
- Website: https://www.niacc.edu
8Iowa Lakes Community College
About the School
Iowa Lakes Community College offers education and hands-on learning, as well as real-world work experiences.
The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:15.
Iowa Lakes Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The college has campuses in Algona, Emmetsburg, Estherville, Spencer, and Spirit Lake.
Courses Offered
More than 40 career and technical programs are available, including:
- Electrical Technology
- Engineering Technology
- Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology
- Powersports & Power Equipment Technology
- Wind Energy & Turbine Technology
- And more
The Electrical Technology program offers hands-on electrical technology experience and allows them to earn an Associate in Applied Science degree.
The program is offered at the Estherville campus and can be completed in two years.
The curriculum is designed to prepare students for a challenging and rewarding career and includes classes such as:
- Technical Communications
- Basic Electricity
- Residential Electric/Electronics Systems
- Blueprint Reading
- Motor Control
- Energy, Sustainability, and the Environment
- Intro to Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
- Power Generation & Transmission
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2111 HWY 169 North, Algona, Iowa 50511
- Phone: 877.807.9583
- Website: https://iowalakes.edu
9Northeast Iowa Community College
About the School
Northeast Iowa Community College offers flexible education options that make it easier for students to earn a degree.
The college provides more than 70 education and training programs.
Northeast Iowa Community College has several campuses in Iowa, including in Peosta and Calmar.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The following Energy and Utility programs are available:
- Commercial-Residential Electrician- a 48-credit Diploma program available in Calmar
- Gas Utility Construction and Service- a 46-credit program in Peosta
- Heating And Air Conditioning- a 48-credit program in Peosta
- Industrial Electrician- a 73-credit program available in Calmar
Costs vary depending on the program and the number of credits required for graduation.
The Diploma program in Commercial-Residential Electrician costs approximately $10,000 and teaches students how to wire a house from start to finish.
The Industrial Electrician Associate of Applied Science degree program costs approximately $15,300 and also teaches students how about service, required circuits, National Electric Code, and other electrical applications used when wiring a house from start to finish.
Contact Information
- Address: 1625 Highway 150 South Calmar, Iowa 52132
- Phone: 844.642.2338
- Website: https://www.nicc.edu
10Kirkwood Community College
About the School
Kirkwood Community College provides more than 130 majors and programs in a variety of areas of interest.
Programs are available at the college’s 12 locations across Eastern Iowa.
Students can work towards a degree, finish high school or take continuing education classes that help workers keep up with the latest advancements in their field.
Programs take one or two years to complete, depending on the credential they lead to.
Scholarships are available for qualifying students.
Kirkwood Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The following two-year programs are available at Kirkwood Community College:
- Automation and Instrumentation Technologies
- Automotive Technology
- Electronics Engineering Technology
- Energy Production and Distribution Technology
- And more
The Energy Production & Distribution Technology program prepares students for a career in the energy industry.
The curriculum covers topics on:
- Mechanical Drive Systems
- Electrical Theory
- Magnetism
- Transformers and Relays
- Industrial Control Circuits
- National Electrical Code and Electrical Wiring
- And many other topics.
A variety of one-year certificates or diploma programs are also available at the college.
Contact Information
- Address: 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
- Phone: 319-398-5411
- Website: https://www.kirkwood.edu
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 160 | $53,650 | $25.79 | $71,630 | $35,650 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 790 | $59,330 | $28.53 | $84,650 | $37,830 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 1,310 | $62,910 | $30.25 | $82,540 | $39,470 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 2,230 | $62,650 | $30.12 | $97,130 | $37,550 |
| Dubuque, IA | 200 | $59,800 | $28.75 | $87,440 | $37,060 |
| Iowa City, IA | 270 | $58,220 | $27.99 | $79,900 | $36,690 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 310 | $60,290 | $28.99 | $82,430 | $35,310 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 310 | $57,050 | $27.43 | $84,240 | $35,210 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to become an electrician, there are several learning formats you can choose from.
Now that you have read our list of top electrician training programs in Iowa, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs and learning style.
Take your time and gather information about all the important factors before making an informed decision.
