New York does not require a state-level electrician license. The median salary is $81,240 per year.
Last updated 2026-05-08
New York does not require an electrician to hold a state license. Perform and supervise electrical installations under the scope allowed by the jurisdiction. Licensing is administered by the New York City Dept of Buildings (NYC) / local jurisdictions.
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Work Experience | 10,500 hours (63 months) |
New York requires passing the New York Journeyman Electrician Exam with a minimum score of 70%. The exam is open book. The application fee is $100.
| Exam Name | New York Journeyman Electrician Exam |
| Format | 80 multiple choice questions |
| Time Limit | 4 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Code Edition | 2020 NEC |
| Open Book? | Yes — codebook permitted |
| Application Fee | $100 |
Practice with real exam-style questions based on the 2020 NEC.
Start Practice Exam — $2.99 →Getting licensed as an electrician in New York takes 48 months on the typical path. Here are the steps.
The total cost includes an exam application fee of $100 and renewal fees of — every 2 years.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam Application | $100 |
Electricians in New York earn a median salary of $81,240, which is less than the national average. Data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Once licensed, electricians in New York handle projects with real cost variation by region — see electrical project costs in New York.
| Mean (average) | — / year |
| Entry level (10th pct) | — |
| Top earners (90th pct) | — |
| Total employed | 42,670 in New York |
| National average | $65,280 |
No — New York does not require a state-level electrician license. Perform and supervise electrical installations under the scope allowed by the jurisdiction.
The required exam is the New York Journeyman Electrician Exam. You need a score of 70% to pass. The exam fee is $100.
The median annual salary for electricians in New York is $81,240. The national median is $65,280.
The fastest path takes approximately 36 months. The typical path takes 48 months including experience requirements.