Trade Schools
If you want to start a career in a profession that will continue to be in demand in the future, becoming an electrician is an option worth exploring.
Before being ready to apply for your first job, you need to complete a training program and learn essential skills.
This page compiles information about the best electrician schools in Pennsylvania.
Programs included in our list range from one year to five years in length.
Some programs are designed for adult students while others are for high school students who want to earn college credit and industry credentials before graduation.
The courses combine theoretical classroom education with hands-on laboratory training.
Our selection also includes apprenticeships that allow students to combine classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training.
We invite you to read our list, and, depending on your career aspirations, learning style, budget, and schedule, apply for the program that best meets your needs.
1Penn Commercial Business | Technical School
About the School
Penn Commercial Business | Technical School provides training programs for students who want to start rewarding careers in medical fields, spas, salons, transportation, or skilled trades.
The programs are designed to be completed in 18 months or less and focus on teaching the skills that prepare students for employment quickly.
The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Courses Offered
The Penn Commercial Business | Technical School catalog includes a nine-month Electrician program that leads to a Diploma.
The program serves the region of Southwest Pennsylvania as well as Wheeling to Morgantown, West Virginia.
The program covers knowledge and skills on topics such as:
- Constructing and wiring solar panels and windmills
- Creating solar energy
- The mechanics and operation of windmills
- An understanding of the geothermal energy
- The operation of an electric vehicle
- How geothermal energy converts into electricity
The curriculum includes classes on the Fundamentals of Electricity, Technical Mathematics, National Electrical Code, Residential Wiring, Commercial Wiring, Installation, and Inspection.
Applicants need a high school diploma or GED certificate to qualify for admission.
Contact Information
- Address: 242 Oak Spring Road, Washington, PA 15301
- Phone: (724) 222-5330
- Website: https://penncommercial.edu
2New Castle School of Trades
About the School
New Castle School of Trades provides 93,000 square feet of space dedicated to instruction in the skilled trades.
The school’s main campus is located in New Castle and has 12 classrooms, one computer lab, and shop/lab areas for each program.
Courses Offered
The school provides Electrical Technology and Industrial Electro-Mechanical Technology programs.
The Electrical Technology program provides students with entry-level skills in installing and servicing electrical applications in residential, commercial, and industrial fields.
The curriculum covers practice and theory in wiring, machine control, programmable controllers, telecommunications, electric control, and solid-state.
Tuition for this program is $22,176 and students pay an additional $1,261 for books.
The Industrial Electro-Mechanical Technology program provides students with hands-on experience in major building, industrial, and alternative energy systems.
The program can be completed in 60 weeks and leads to an Associate of Specialized Technology Degree.
Tuition for the Industrial Electro-Mechanical Technology program is $23,310.
Books cost an additional $1,199.
Contact Information
- Address: 4117 Pulaski Rd, New Castle, PA, 16101
- Phone: (724) 788-4417
- Website: https://www.ncstrades.edu
3Rosedale Technical College
About the School
Rosedale Technical College prepares students for real-life careers in demanding fields.
During the programs, students learn through hands-on training under the supervision of knowledgeable instructors.
The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Private Licensed Schools.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes an Electrical Technology pathway.
Two programs are available: Construction Electricity and Industrial Electricity.
Students who graduate from this program may find employment opportunities in energy fields, commercial conveyor systems, as well as commercial and residential wiring.
The program provides students with hands-on training in their specific area of study.
The electrical shop area is equipped with industry-level equipment, including an indoor two-story framed house where the first floor is used for residential wiring and the second floor is dedicated to commercial wiring.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in OSHA safety training and scissor lift training.
Graduates receive an Associate Degree in Specialized Technology or Diploma.
Applicants need a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate as well as a valid driver’s license.
Contact Information
- Address: 215 Beecham Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15205
- Phone: 844-332-5867
- Website: https://www.rosedaletech.org
4Orleans Technical College
About the School
Orleans Technical College provides building and construction trades career training.
The college offers hands-on training programs that prepare students for successful careers in a variety of related fields.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Residential and Commercial Electricity program.
Students can earn a trade Diploma in only six or 13 months.
The program covers the proper use of electrical tools and equipment, basic theory, electrical control systems, and single-phase and multi-phase electrical motors.
After completing certification exams, students in this program are eligible to receive industry-recognized certification from NOCTI.
Students are also eligible to earn the OSHA-10 safety certification.
Graduates have a variety of employment opportunities, including electrical installers, troubleshooters, and electrician assistants.
By the time they finish the program, students know how to design, install, troubleshoot, replace, upgrade, and maintain electrical equipment while following the National Electrical Code.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Contact Information
- Address: 2770 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114
- Phone: 215-728-4700
- Website: https://orleanstech.edu
5Lincoln Tech
About the School
Lincoln Tech offers training at its Allentown campus since 1949.
The school has specialized training labs and classrooms that prepare students for careers in the electrical, healthcare, and information technology industries.
Lincoln Technical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology program available at Lincoln Tech combines hands-on high-voltage electrical training with skills related to electronic systems.
Students learn how to service home theater equipment, closed-circuit TV systems, fire alarms, and more.
The school partners with major companies, such as Johnson Controls where students can find employment.
The Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology curriculum includes classes such as:
- Electronic and Electrical Principles
- Basic Electricity
- Electrical Wiring Principles
- Fiber Optics, Telecommunication Systems & Networking
- Fire Alarm Systems
- Home Theater, Satellite and System Integration
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5151 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104
- Phone: (610) 398-5300
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu
6IEC Pennsylvania
About the School
A member of the National Independent Electrical Contractors Association, IEC Pennsylvania provides apprenticeships for those who want to start a career in the electricity industry.
The program covers residential, commercial, and industrial construction and electrical wiring.
The four-year apprenticeship is registered with the United States Department of Labor and the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Council.
During training, apprentices work full-time and attend classes that are available in person in Mechanicsburg and York, Pennsylvania, as well as online.
The application fee is $100.
Applicants must submit proof of age, a high school diploma, a high school transcript, and three reference letters.
They also have to attend a 10-15 minute interview.
A pre-apprenticeship program is also available for high school students who are interested in the electrical field.
Students can earn credits while preparing for the apprenticeship program.
Pre-apprentices gain hands-on experience and the opportunity to shadow electricians in a variety of industries.
Contact Information
- Address: 8 Long Lane, Suite B Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
- Phone: 717-697-7553
- Website: https://centralpaiec.org
7Pennco Tech
About the School
Pennco Tech provides career-training programs in Blackwood, New Jersey, and Bristol, Pennsylvania.
The programs feature hands-on learning programs that equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for success in some of today’s most in-demand fields.
Programs are available full-time and part-time in day or evening schedules.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes an Electrician Program that can be completed in approximately 26 weeks.
Students learn in the classroom and a stick-house lab facility.
The curriculum includes classes on topics such as:
- Basic electrical theory, mathematics, and load calculations
- Voltage, current, resistance, transformers, and power
- Pipe bending and conduit bending
- DC, AC, and other fundamentals of electricity
- Solar photovoltaics and troubleshooting
- Field and shop safety
- And more
Students are introduced to the growing field of renewable energy and learn about photovoltaic cells, servicing panels, maintenance, and other aspects of solar energy.
During the program, students also create a resume, prepare for interviews, and connect with employers for job opportunities.
Contact Information
- Address: 3815 Otter St, Bristol, PA 19007
- Phone: (215) 234-1133
- Website: https://www.penncotech.edu
8Johnson College
About the School
Johnson College provides hands-on learning programs designed to teach “students of today the skills of tomorrow”.
This private two-year college offers 17 associate degrees and four academic certificate programs.
The college has a 44-acre campus with classrooms, laboratories, and administrative offices.
Courses Offered
Johnson College catalog includes four divisions of study: Building Trades & Technology, Electronic & Industrial, Health and Animal Sciences, and Transportation.
The Building Trades & Technology division includes an Electrical Construction Technology program.
This two-year program leads to an Associate Degree in Electrical Construction Technology and is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as technicians in residential and commercial environments.
The curriculum includes classes on:
- Programmable Logic Controllers
- Construction Elective
- Introduction to Pipefitting
- Construction Safety
- Fundamentals of Electricity Lab
- Motors and Controls
- National Electric Code Interpretation
- Commercial Wiring
- Industrial Maintenance and Mechanics
- And more
In total, the program requires 65 credits for graduation.
Contact Information
- Address: 3427 N. Main Avenue, Scranton, PA 18508
- Phone: 1-800-2WE-WORK
- Website: https://johnson.edu
9The Academy of Industrial Arts
About the School
The Academy of Industrial Arts provides training programs for students who want to start a career where they can work with their hands.
The school provides small classes and a 10-week customized training module.
The course is available in a hybrid format, combining lectures held online and in-person hands-on experiences.
The program prepares students for employment in the industry by providing training in the installation and maintenance of electric and electronic systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Students learn:
- Electrical Skills: basics, tools, boxes, switches, wiring protection devices, equipment for installation, and more
- How to repair or replace wiring, equipment, electrical panels, or fixtures
- How to install lighting, ceiling fans, television, telephones, data, and basic alarm systems
- How to identify electrical problems using testing devices
- Blueprint and technical diagrams reading
The course has five modules: Introduction to the Trades, Electrical Safety, Electrical Theory, Electrical Tools, and Introduction to Electrical Circuits.
The first three modules are held online over the course of six weeks, while the last two modules are held half online and half in person.
Contact Information
- Address: 6328 Paschall Avenue, Suite E, Philadelphia, PA, 19142
- Phone: 267-990-4407
- Website: https://www.taia-school.com
10Triangle Tech
About the School
Triangle Tech prepares students for employment in in-demand careers through training programs that can be completed in only 16 months.
Triangle Tech is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Courses Offered
The school provides a Maintenance Electricity and Construction Technology pathway.
This program prepares students for entry-level employment as maintenance electricians and construction electricians.
The curriculum emphasizes troubleshooting, cost estimating, and work coordination.
Students enrolled in this program earn an Associate in Specialized Technology Degree after completing the coursework.
Maintenance Electricity and Construction Technology students take classes on topics such as residential wiring, electrical services installation, power distribution, computer applications, electric lighting, AC/DC motors, power generators, cost estimating, low voltage wiring, and more.
This program is offered in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, DuBois, Sunbury, and Bethlehem.
Contact Information
- Address: 1940 Perrysville Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214
- Phone: 800-874-8324
- Website: https://triangle-tech.edu
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 1,240 | $74,140 | $35.65 | $127,370 | $42,550 |
| Altoona, PA | 130 | $58,330 | $28.04 | $90,370 | $36,580 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 60 | $54,680 | $26.29 | $73,960 | $38,110 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 110 | $59,870 | $28.79 | $88,260 | $37,980 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 190 | $61,730 | $29.68 | $96,440 | $39,740 |
| Erie, PA | 330 | $58,790 | $28.26 | $84,560 | $36,730 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 100 | $57,730 | $27.76 | $77,640 | $36,350 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 930 | $67,110 | $32.27 | $94,810 | $38,450 |
| Johnstown, PA | 130 | $64,680 | $31.1 | $108,340 | $38,390 |
| Lancaster, PA | 1,230 | $68,520 | $32.94 | $121,010 | $38,700 |
| Lebanon, PA | 250 | $66,870 | $32.15 | $92,970 | $43,490 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 10,070 | $79,770 | $38.35 | $133,000 | $43,960 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 4,210 | $71,030 | $34.15 | $103,610 | $40,570 |
| Reading, PA | 690 | $69,790 | $33.55 | $95,940 | $41,380 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 920 | $69,130 | $33.23 | $102,290 | $37,270 |
| State College, PA | 150 | $60,740 | $29.2 | $98,520 | $40,250 |
| Williamsport, PA | 150 | $61,670 | $29.65 | $91,240 | $38,750 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 710 | $69,150 | $33.25 | $119,490 | $37,840 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Pennsylvania provides plenty of educational opportunities for high school students and adults who want to pursue a career in the electrical field.
Now that you have read our list, we encourage you to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs, budget, and learning style.
