Electrician in Rhode Island
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for RI
How to Become an Electrician in Rhode Island
To become a Journeyperson Electrician in Rhode Island, you must complete a four-year apprenticeship, which includes 576 hours of related instruction and 8,000 hours of practical experience. After meeting these prerequisites, you must pass the Rhode Island Journeyperson Electrician Exam. The licensing body is the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety, Professional Regulations Unit. While Rhode Island does not offer reciprocity with other states, an out-of-state license may be used to qualify for the Rhode Island exam.
Electrician Requirements in Rhode Island
| Detail | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety, Professional Regulations Unit |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of 576 hours of related instruction. |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Rhode Island Journeyperson Electrician Exam (Prometric) ($75) |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 15.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18, or 16 if enrolled in a vocational high school program. A criminal background check is required. The application fee is for the exam, and a separate license fee of $72 is required after passing the exam. Journeyperson licenses expire every two years on the licensee's birthday. |
License Tiers
Rhode Island offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Journeyperson | 8,000 |
| Contractor (Class A/B) | 12,000 |
Electrician Salary in Rhode Island
The median electrician salary in Rhode Island is $70,160 per year, which is 12.5% above the national median of $62,350.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $42,280 |
| 25th | $47,530 |
| 50th (median) | $70,160 |
| 75th | $88,630 |
| 90th (experienced) | $103,880 |
Rhode Island employs approximately 2,300 electricians.
Electrician Job Outlook
AI Impact on Electricians
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.78/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming an Electrician in Rhode Island Worth It?
Factors to consider: Rhode Island's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.