Electricians in New Jersey
New Jersey employs about 18,000 electricians and has a licensing structure that’s clear but isolated. Statewide journeyman license, no master license (you skip straight to contractor), and zero reciprocity with any other state. Your NJ license doesn’t transfer anywhere, and nobody else’s transfers in. Wages are solid — $72,000–$82,000 — but the state is still enforcing NEC 2017.
What does New Jersey licensing actually require?
New Jersey has a clear statewide licensing path — but no master electrician license. You go from journeyman straight to contractor.
Licensing authority: NJ Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (DCA)
Class A Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours of documented experience (at least 4,000 within the past 5 years), 576 hours of classroom training, and a state exam. There is no NJ master electrician license — the next step is Electrical Contractor, which requires journeyman status plus 1 year of experience (or a bachelor’s in EE plus 2 years of field work). Continuing education: 10 hours per year for journeymen. New Jersey has no reciprocity with any other state — your NJ license doesn’t transfer, and no one else’s transfers in.
What do New Jersey electricians earn?
New Jersey employs roughly 18,000 electricians. Median annual wage: $72,000–$82,000 (BLS OEWS data).
Solid wages reflecting high cost of living and strong union presence. Northern NJ near the NYC metro pushes the higher end. South Jersey is lower but still above the national median.
Run the numbers with the free Take-Home Pay Calculator →
Apprenticeship programs in New Jersey
- IBEW Local 102 JATC (Northern NJ / Essex County)
- IBEW Local 164 JATC (Bergen County / NE New Jersey)
- IBEW Local 351 JATC (Central New Jersey)
Which NEC edition does New Jersey enforce?
New Jersey enforces NEC 2017 through the NJ Uniform Construction Code — two cycles behind. And there’s no reciprocity with any other state. Your NJ license is a NJ license. Period.
View New Jersey NEC Adoption Details →
Free calculators for New Jersey electricians
These run offline and match NEC reference tables:
- Wire Size Calculator
- Voltage Drop Calculator
- Conduit Fill Calculator
- Box Fill Calculator
- Conduit Bending Calculator
- GFCI & AFCI Requirements Guide
The app
Electrician’s NEC Field Calculator — wire sizing, voltage drop, conduit fill, box fill, motor circuits, equipment grounding. All from NEC tables. $9.99, once.
NJ doesn’t give you reciprocity with other states. At least your calculator shouldn’t charge you a monthly toll either. FieldLab is $9.99, once.