California · Apprenticeship
Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship
Become a Commercial Inside Wireman: the electricians who power office towers, hospitals, factories, and everything in between. Five years, fully paid, full benefits.
5
Year program
$45+
Per hour by year 5*
$0
Tuition — employer paid
4
CA training facilities
The work
As a Commercial Inside Wireman apprentice, you work under the direct supervision of a journeyperson electrician installing electrical distribution centers, panel boards, sub panels, conduit systems, motor controls, lighting, fire alarms, and temporary wiring in commercial buildings.
You'll work with blueprints and digital construction platforms, follow the National Electrical Code, and get hands-on with the technologies reshaping the trade: solar systems, EV charging, smart buildings, and energy efficiency.
The pay and benefits
- Starting hourly base wages range from minimum wage to $22.00 or more, depending on the type of work and location.
- Commercial apprentices can expect to earn up to $45.00 or more per hour in their 5th year, depending on work type and location.
- A generous health & welfare plan: medical, dental, pension plan, and life insurance — with dependent coverage options for your family.
- School tuition is paid by the WECA member contractor who employs you.
The schedule
Classes run in an accelerated, intensive format: full-time classroom training and hands-on labs for two consecutive weeks, approximately every five to seven months. Each two-week session equals one semester. The rest of the year, you're earning on the job.
Where
Offered at four California training facilities: Sacramento Region (Rancho Cordova), San Diego, Riverside, and Fresno. See locations and hours.
*Wage figures vary by type of work and location.
"At WECA, our apprentices go to school during the daytime for two weeks at a time, which allows them to get home to their families instead of attending school after work."