How to Become a Journeyman Electrician in New York
New York licenses electrical contractors at the state level — journeyman licensing happens at the city or county level. Here is the full path: state contractor requirements, municipal journeyman licensing, apprenticeship options, realistic pay, and how to carry your credentials into other states.
Contractor-level
No statewide journeyman license
$0
master fees
40 IBEW locals
Union apprenticeship paths
$39/hr
State median, all tiers (from 8 postings)
1. New York journeyman licensing requirements
No statewide journeyman license. New York licenses electrical work at the contractor level through the No statewide agency — New York has no state electrician license; individual journeymen are licensed by the city or county where they work. Your path: complete an apprenticeship, get your journeyman card municipally, then pursue state contractor licensure to pull permits and run work.
- Exam: required — No state license — each municipality administers its own exam. The NYC Master Electrician exam requires extensive documented experience.
- master fee: $0 (No state license — fees set by each municipality. NYC Master Electrician fees via the NYC Department of Buildings.)
2. Apprenticeship paths: IBEW union + registered programs
40 IBEW locals serve New York (Locals 10, 25, 36, 41, 43 and 35 more). Union apprentices train through the local JATC while earning a scaled wage. Browse New York IBEW locals →
Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapters also run accredited programs — chapter directories are being added to this guide.
3. Timeline and cost: what apprentices earn
Apprentice-specific postings are still thin for New York. Across 8 disclosed postings, the state median across all tiers is $39/hr; apprentices typically earn 40–60% of this. See live ranges on our pay page for New York →
4. Going further: the master electrician tier
The master license application runs $0. Masters can pull permits, supervise journeymen, and run contracting businesses.
5. Take your license on the road: reciprocity
New York offers no formal journeyman reciprocity — out-of-state electricians apply through the standard path. Details and alternatives: New York reciprocity guide →
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does it take to become a journeyman electrician in New York?
New York licenses electrical contractors at the state level, not individual journeymen — there is no statewide journeyman hour requirement.
What does an electrical apprentice earn in New York?
Based on 8 disclosed postings, the state median across all tiers is $39/hr; apprentices typically earn 40–60% of this.
Can I apprentice through the union in New York?
Yes — 40 IBEW locals serve New York with registered apprenticeship programs.
Keep exploring
Journeyman pay in New York
Market rates from live postings vs BLS vs IBEW scale.
IBEW locals in New York
Union halls, apprenticeship programs, and scales.
New York prevailing wage
Davis-Bacon rates by county and classification.
Where the work is
Data center builds on the live construction map.
New York reciprocity guide
Partner states, fees, timelines, and transfer steps.
All state pathways
Compare the journeyman path across all 51 jurisdictions.