Electricians play an essential part in making homes and buildings habitable and in helping us have access to the energy necessary to light rooms and power devices.
If you have good troubleshooting skills and enjoy working with your hands, becoming an electrician can be the right career choice for you.
Before being ready to work as an electrician, you have to complete some specialized training at a trade school or community college.
Programs are typically between ten months and two years long, but apprenticeships that take up to four or five years to complete are also available.
Although they last longer, apprenticeships allow trainees to earn a salary.
To help you decide what educational format works best for you, on this page we have compiled information about the top programs available in Georgia.
1Electrical Training Center
About the School
The Electrical Training Center offers apprenticeship programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of industries.
The programs are offered by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association.
The following programs are available:
- Inside Wireman Apprenticeship
- Telecommunications Apprenticeship
- Construction Electrician Program
Courses Offered
The Inside Wireman apprenticeship is a five-level program that includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and at least 900 hours of related classroom and hands-on lab instruction.
Those who complete the program receive a Department of Labor Journey-Level Electrician Certification and Electrical Training Alliance Journey-Level Electrician Certification.
The Construction Electrician Program is an eight-level certificate program that focuses on commercial and industrial electrical construction.
This program is similar in content to the Electrician apprenticeship but has a higher concentration of hands-on and on-the-job training.
Students enrolled in this apprenticeship program attend classes from 5 to 8 p.m.
Contact Information
- Address: 6601 Bay Circle, Norcross, GA 30071
- Phone: 404-523-5400
- Website: https://sites.google.com/aejatc.org/etc
2Georgia Piedmont Technical College
About the School
Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.
The college provides academic and dual enrollment programs for adults and high school students.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College is accredited by the Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes Associate of Applied Science degrees in the following fields:
- Electronics Technology
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
- Industrial Systems Technology
- Air Conditioning Technology
- And more
The A.A.S. programs take between 18 and 24 months to complete.
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology program teaches a variety of skills, including:
- How to use measuring instruments
- Test electronics circuits
- Understand AC/DC and Solid State circuits
- Understand schematic diagrams
- How to perform electronics troubleshooting
- And more
Students can also choose one of the following Diploma programs:
- Transit Electric Power and Equipment Technician
- Transit Electronics Technician
- Electrical Control Systems
- Electronics Fundamentals
- Electronics Technology
- And more
Certificate programs are also available in the following fields:
- Residential Wiring Technician
- Basic Electronic Assembler
- Telecommunications Service/ Operations Technician
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021
- Phone: 404-297-9522
- Website: https://www.gptc.edu
3Elite Lineman Training
About the School
Elite Lineman Training Institute offers an 11-week pre-apprenticeship lineman school.
The program includes 432 contact hours.
Students attend classes from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday for the first four weeks and Monday to Thursday for the remaining seven weeks.
The institute provides training in Tunnell Hill, Georgia.
Classes are kept small and students receive personal support.
The training provides high safety standards.
Students must complete OSHA certifications to graduate.
The program teaches students the skills needed for a career as linemen, including how to safely climb poles, operate equipment, construct and maintain distribution circuits, install poles, string wires, and more.
This program costs $15,000 in total.
This includes the costs of tools and gear, certifications, shirts, and miscellaneous expenses.
After graduating from school, students can continue with an apprenticeship program that lasts from three to six years.
During the apprenticeship, trainees will prepare for linemen careers through a combination of on-the-job and classroom training.
Contact Information
- Address: 3746 Lake Katherine Rd, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755
- Phone: 706.673.2378
- Website: https://elitelineman.com
4Lincoln Tech
About the School
Lincoln Tech offers training programs that prepare students for careers in skilled trades and healthcare.
Its Marietta, Georgia campus offers programs at Certificate and Associate Degree levels.
The campus is accredited by the Accredited Training Sponsor for Electrical Systems Technicians.
Students learn in 30,000 square feet of training space.
A Smart House facility is located on-site to be used by students in the Electrical and Electronic Systems Technician program.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes an Electrical and Electronic Systems program.
Students enrolled in this program learn:
- How to install cable structures and prepare pathways for wiring and cabling
- How to use anchors, supports, and other hardware
- Electrical concepts and how they relate to conductors, insulators, and other devices
- How to install, test, and troubleshoot local area network cabling systems and data systems
- And many other skills
The 1080-hour Electrical and Electronics Systems Technology Certificate program costs $29,169 in total, which includes tuition, books, uniforms, equipment fee, application fee, registration fee, student fee, and technology fee.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree Program in Electrical and Electronics Systems Technology Service Management, which include 1,395 hours of training, costs $35,322 in total.
Contact Information
- Address: 2359 Windy Hill Road, Marietta, GA 30067
- Phone: (770) 226-0056
- Website: https://www.lincolntech.edu
5Southwest Lineman Training Center
About the School
Southwest Lineman Training Center provides apprentice lineworker training.
Founded in 1999, SLTC offers training programs in electrical and communications line work at its Trenton campus and on-site training at companies.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Electrical Program
- Communications Program
The 500-hour Electrical program can be completed in 15 weeks.
In total, 11 certifications and qualifications are available for students.
To qualify for admission, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age by the enrollment date
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Pass a Department of Transportation physical exam.
Tuition is $14,855.
Additional fees include a $150 application fee, $750 lab fee, $225 for a training manual, $2,800 for books and tools, and $1,995 for class A CDL.
Students are trained in three educational areas: Academic Training, Field Training, Certifications & Skills.
The student/teacher ratio is 16:1.
The following certifications are available: Basic Electricity, Rigging, Climbing, Digger Derrick, Underground Residential Distribution, NCCER Crane Certification, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 9481 Hwy 11 Trenton, GA 30752
- Phone: (706) 657 – 3792
- Website: https://www.lineworker.com
6UEI College
About the School
UEI College prepares students for rewarding careers in a variety of fields for more than 35 years.
Students can graduate in as few as 10 months.
The programs offer lab simulations and externship opportunities to provide students with hands-on experience.
The school provides hybrid programs that consist of hands-on lab training on campus two times per week blended with online learning in a virtual classroom.
UEI College has two campuses in Georgia: Morrow and Stone Mountain.
Courses Offered
The Electrical Technician program available at UEI College covers topics on:
- Basic Safety
- Residential Applications
- Low Voltage Applications
- Programmable Logic Controllers
- Solar Electric Applications
- And more
Students are trained in installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems used in homes and commercial buildings.
The program also covers flexible cable assemblies, NEC code requirements, load calculations, lighting outlets, and more.
The Electrician Technician Diploma program costs $21,500 in total, which includes tuition, books, supplies, and uniforms.
UEI College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Contact Information
- Address: 1564 Southlake Pkwy. Morrow, GA 30260
- Phone: (678) 902-6440
- Website: https://www.uei.edu
7Ogeechee Technical College
About the School
Ogeechee Technical College prepares students for today’s workforce through a variety of academic programs.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes an Electrical & Industrial Systems Technology pathway which consists of the following programs:
- Electrical Systems Technology Diploma
- Industrial Electrical Technology Diploma
- Basic Electrical Technician Certificate
- Commercial Wiring Certificate
- Photovoltaic Systems Installation and Repair Certificate
- Programmable Control Technician I Certificate
The programs are designed to prepare students for careers in electrical industries.
Students take courses on topics such as:
- Industrial Safety
- Direct Current Circuits
- Commercial Wiring
- Diagnostic Troubleshooting
- NEC Industrial Applications
- Photovoltaic Systems
- Basic Industrial PLCs
- Intermediate Industrial PLCs
- And more
The number of credits required for graduation varies depending on the program and the credential it leads to.
Costs also vary.
The Electrical Systems Technology Diploma program costs $4,670 in total while the Programmable Control Technician I Certificate costs $1,200.
To qualify for admissions, applicants must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Submit official high school transcripts or GED transcripts
Assessment requirements also apply.
Contact Information
- Address: One Joseph E. Kennedy Blvd., Statesboro, GA 30458
- Phone: (912) 681-5500
- Website: https://www.ogeecheetech.edu
8Gwinnett Technical College
About the School
Gwinnett Technical College offers training programs that prepare students for real-world job opportunities.
The school provides more than 140-degree programs that cover a wide range of future careers.
Classes are available in Lawrenceville and Alpharetta-North Fulton, as well as online.
Tuition is $543 per credit hour for in-state students.
Senior citizens pay $443 per credit hour.
Courses Offered
The following pathways are available at Gwinnett Technical College:
- Automated Manufacturing and Engineering Technology- a program that allows students to choose between the following credentials:
- Engineering Technology, A.A.S.
- Engineering Technology Basics, Certificate
- Mechatronics Technologies, A.A.S., Diploma and Certificate pathways
- Commercial Construction Management- with the following program areas:
- Commercial Construction Management
- Commercial Construction Contract Administrator
- Commercial Construction Estimator
- Residential Construction Management- with the following program areas:
- Residential Construction Management
- Carpentry- Residential
- Finish Carpenter
- Framing Carpenter
- Certified Construction Worker
Contact Information
- Address: 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
- Phone: 678-226-6616
- Website: https://gwinnetttech.edu
9Electrical Training Alliance
About the School
The Electrical Training Alliance provides a five-year apprenticeship program for prospective electricians.
The electrical training pathway offered by the alliance is a joint program between the National Electrical Contractors Association created more than 70 years ago.
The apprenticeship allows students to earn a salary while they learn the skills needed for a new profession.
The alliance has a main campus in Savannah and a campus in Brunswick.
To qualify for admission, applicants need:
- A valid Georgia Driver’s license
- Copy of Diploma or GED
- Social Security Card
- Official School Transcript that proves the completion of an Algebra class
- OSHA-10
- TWIC CARD
Courses Offered
The following apprenticeship programs are available:
- Inside Apprenticeship- a program that has also been awarded 60 semester credit hours by the American Council on Education
- Outside Apprenticeship- this program includes 25 semester credit hours
- Residential Apprenticeship- a program that also leads to 17 semester credit hours
- Telecommunications Installer-Technician Apprenticeship- a program that includes 37 semester credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 1526 Dean Forest Rd. Savannah, GA 31408
- Phone: (912) 964-1989
- Website: http://www.sav-electricaltrainingalliance.com
10IBEW Local 1316
About the School
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)- Local 1316 prepares students for new careers in the electrical field.
Local 1316 is located in Macon, Georgia.
IBEW apprentices learn by combining classroom training with hands-on on-the-job instruction.
Courses Offered
IBEW Local 1316 offers an apprenticeship program for students who provide the following documentation:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Social Security Card or equivalent
- Birth Certificate
- High School Diploma or GED
- Official Transcript that documents the completion of one year of Algebra
- A Form DD-214, if applicable
Applicants need to pay $33 for a urinalysis and a $30 application fee.
A physical exam, administered by Macon Occupational Medicine will also take place after the student completes the aptitude test.
This exam tests vision, hearing, balance, climbing, and lifting to ensure applicants can perform the tasks associated with this profession safely.
Continuing Education programs are also available for experienced workers who want to keep up with their training.
Contact Information
- Address: 1046 Patterson Street, Macon, Georgia 31204
- Phone: (478) 743-7017
- Website: https://ibew1316.com
Regional Salary in Georgia
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albany, GA | 330 | $53,510 | $25.73 | $79,050 | $35,470 |
Athens-Clarke County, GA | 300 | $54,640 | $26.27 | $75,250 | $36,870 |
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 12,160 | $59,330 | $28.52 | $82,200 | $37,130 |
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 1,450 | $62,940 | $30.26 | $80,020 | $37,810 |
Brunswick, GA | 150 | $52,220 | $25.11 | $73,570 | $35,920 |
Columbus, GA-AL | 480 | $48,250 | $23.2 | $64,000 | $35,790 |
Dalton, GA | 200 | $58,760 | $28.25 | $98,190 | $37,060 |
Gainesville, GA | 290 | $53,730 | $25.83 | $72,470 | $37,770 |
Hinesville, GA | 50 | $60,670 | $29.17 | $78,210 | $38,040 |
Macon, GA | 420 | $54,890 | $26.39 | $80,280 | $35,730 |
Rome, GA | 160 | $60,130 | $28.91 | $78,730 | $38,650 |
Savannah, GA | 610 | $55,610 | $26.73 | $77,230 | $37,440 |
Valdosta, GA | 310 | $48,260 | $23.2 | $64,990 | $30,530 |
Warner Robins, GA | 220 | $54,510 | $26.21 | $64,040 | $41,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of top electrician schools in Georgia, it’s time to decide if this is the right path for you and apply for the program that will teach you the necessary skills.
This is an important decision, so make sure you have all the relevant information before deciding where to enroll.