[0:00]The truth about becoming an electrician in 2025. What's up everybody? Look, I'm going to be real with you right now. Everyone's telling you to learn code or get some fancy college degree that'll put you in debt for the next 30 years. But nobody's talking about the real opportunities sitting right in front of your face. Before we get started, smash that like button and subscribe. All right, let's get into it. I've been in the H-back trade for 29 years. 29 years. I've seen guys come and go. I've watched entire industries shift. And let me tell you something, the electricians I know, they're laughing all the way to the bank. But here's the thing nobody wants to tell you about becoming an electrician in 2025. It's not all sunshine and six-figure salaries. And trust me, I'm about to spill all the tea. The money talk. Let's get uncomfortable. First things first, let's talk money, because that's why you clicked on this video, right? The average electrician in 2025 is making anywhere from 45k to 95k plus a year. But here's where it gets interesting. That's just the average. I know electricians pulling in 120k, 150k, some even hitting 200k plus. But here's the part they didn't tell you. Those guys didn't get there overnight. And they sure as hell didn't get there sitting on their couch watching TikTok. The brutal truth, your first year as an apprentice, you might make 35k if you're lucky. Yeah, I said it. You're going to eat ramen noodles for a while. But here's why that's actually good news. Every other trade starts the same way. The difference, electricians have a faster track to the big money than most of us. And yes, I'm a little jealous. The dirty reality check. Let me paint you a picture of what becoming an electrician really looks like in 2025. You're going to get shocked. Literally. You're going to crawl through attics that feel like the surface of Mars in July. You're going to work in basements that smell like, well, let's just say you discovered a new level of funk. Your knees are going to hurt. Your back's going to ache. And you're going to question your life choices at least once a week. I remember talking to my buddy Jake, he's been an electrician for 15 years now. He told me, "Dude, there are days I'm laying on my back in a crawl space, covered in insulation, wondering why I didn't just become an accountant." But then he showed me his paycheck and suddenly that crawl space didn't seem so bad. Here's what they don't tell you in those shiny recruitment videos. Electrical work can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. We're talking about electricity here, people. The stuff that can literally stop your heart. But, and this is a big butt, with proper training and safety protocols, it's actually one of the safer trades. Safer than roofing, safer than logging. Heck, it's probably safer than driving to work. The keyword there is training. The apprenticeship game. Here's how to win. This is where most people screw up. They think apprenticeship is just paying your dues. Wrong. Apprenticeship is your college. Except you're getting paid to learn instead of going into debt. Think about that for a second. While your friends are racking up 50k plus in student loans to learn about medieval literature, you're getting paid 35 to 40k to learn a skill that'll make you 100k plus down the road. But here's a thing about apprenticeships in 2025. They're competitive. Gone are the days when you could just show up and expect to get accepted. You need to bring your A-game. Show up early, stay late, ask questions, take notes. And for the love of all holy, put your phone away. I can't tell you how many apprentices I've seen get kicked out because they couldn't stop scrolling Instagram while someone's trying to teach them how to not electrocute themselves.

[4:06]Here's a pro tip from someone who's been around the block. Find the grumpiest, most demanding journeyman electrician you can. Then stick to that guy like glue. Everyone else will avoid him because he's too hard or too mean. But that cranky old timer, he knows everything. And if you can survive learning from him, you'll be better than 90% of the electricians out there. The technology revolution. This is huge. Here's where it gets really interesting. The electrical trade in 2025 isn't your grandfather's electrical trade. We're talking smart homes, solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, battery storage systems. The demand for skilled electricians who understand this new tech, it's through the roof. And most of the old school guys, they're retiring. That means there's a massive opportunity gap. If you can master both traditional electrical work and the new smart technology, you're not just an electrician anymore. You're a tech specialist who happens to work with electricity. And tech specialists don't make 50k a year, they make 100k plus. I've got a friend who specializes in Tesla charging station installations. This guy's booked solid for the next six months. He's charging 150 to 200 an hour. Per hour. That's more than some doctors make. The physical reality. Let's be honest. Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Electrical work is physical work. You're going to be on your feet all day. You're going to climb ladders. You're going to lift heavy stuff. If you're looking for a job where you sit behind a desk all day, keep scrolling. But here's the thing. The physical aspect, it's also what keeps the job secure. You can't outsource electrical work to India. You can't replace an electrician with AI, at least not yet. When the light goes out, they need someone who can actually show up and fix the problem. That's someone could be you. Quick break here. Check out which trade is best for you and access the free course below. The entrepreneur path. This is where it gets exciting. Here's what really gets me excited about the electrical trade. The entrepreneurship opportunities are insane. After a four years of experience, you can start your own electrical contracting business. And electrical contractors, they make bank. I'm talking 200k to 300k, sometimes even more. But, and this is important. Running a business isn't just knowing about electrical work. You need to understand marketing, sales, customer service, hiring, insurances. It's a whole different skill set. But if you can master both, the sky's the limit. I know electrical contractors who have 20 plus employees and multiple trucks. They started exactly where you are right now, wondering if the electrical trade is right for them. The specialization game changer. Here's something most people don't realize. Not all electricians are created equal. You've got residential electricians, commercial electricians, industrial electricians. Each one requires different skills. Each one pays differently. Residential, that's your bread and butter. Good money, steady work. Commercial, that's where you start making the big bucks. We're talking office buildings, shopping centers, hospitals. Industrial, that's the specialty work, power plants, manufacturing facilities, data centers. These guys can make 120k to 200k plus because their work is so specialized. And then there's the really niche stuff. Elevator technicians, technically electricians, can make 100k plus easy. Linemen, the guys who work on power lines, can make 150k plus. Instrumentation technicians in oil refineries, 120 to 180k plus. The key is finding your niche and becoming the best at it. The work-life balance reality. Let's talk about something everyone cares about, but nobody wants to discuss, work-life balance. As an electrician, you're typically working normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Compare that to restaurant work, retail, or even some office jobs, you actually get your evenings and weekends back. Sure, there's emergency calls. Sometimes the power goes out on a Sunday.

[8:53]But that's overtime money, baby. Time and a half or double time for the weekends. Emergency calls. I know electricians who love getting those emergency calls because it's easy money. Fix a simple problem, get paid double, be home in time for dinner. The recession proof factor. Here's something I learned during the 2008 recession. People might stop remodeling their kitchens, they might delay buying new cars, but when the electricity stops working, they call an electrician immediately. The electrical trade is about as recession proof as it gets. Even during economic downturns, there's still maintenance work, emergency repairs, and essential upgrades. Plus, with all the infrastructure spending happening in 2025, there's more electrician work than there are qualified electricians to do it. Supply and demand, people, basic economics. When demand is high and supply is low, prices go up. The pathway decision point. Hey everyone, if you're having some trouble deciding what trade career to choose, check out Course Career's free intro courses, where you can learn more about certain careers and determine which one would be the best fit for you. There are trade courses on Hvac, plumbing, electrical, construction project management, construction estimating, architectural drafting, CAD design, and logistics coordinator. I have provided the link in the description and pinned in the comments below. Because here's the truth, not everyone should become an electrician, and that's okay. Maybe you're better suited for plumbing. Maybe H-back is your calling. Maybe construction management is where you'll thrive. The important thing is to find the right fit for you. But if electrical work sounds interesting, and if you like problem solving, working with your hands, and the idea of good job security appeals to you, then keep listening. The getting started game plan. All right, let's say you're convinced. You want to become an electrician. What's your next move? First, research apprenticeship programs in your area. Union programs, non-union programs, community college programs. Each one has pros and cons. Union programs typically pay better and they have better benefits. But they can be harder to get into. Non-union programs might be easier to access, but potentially lower pay. Community college programs gives you classroom knowledge, but you still need hands-on experience. Second, start preparing now. Basic math skills are essential. Algebra, geometry, some trigonometry. You don't need to be a mathematician, but you need to be comfortable with numbers. Third, get in shape. I'm not saying you need to be a bodybuilder, but electrical work is physical. The better shape you're in, the easier your job will be. The mindset shift you need. Here's probably the most important thing I'm going to tell you. Stop thinking of trades as a fallback career. That's old school thinking. That'll hold you back. The electrical trade in 2025 is a professional career path. You're not just an electrician, you're an electrical system expert. You're a problem solver, you're a technology specialist, you're potentially a business owner. Frame it that way in your mind and others will see you that way too. The final reality check. Look, I'm not going to lie to you. The first few years are going to be tough. You're going to make mistakes. You're going to feel stupid sometimes. There'll be days when you question everything. But here's what I've learned in 29 years in the trades. Every successful tradesperson went through that same struggle. The difference between those who make it and those who don't, the ones who make it push through the tough times. They keep learning, they keep growing. They don't give up. And five years from now, when you're making 80k to 100k plus a year, when you have job security that most people only dream about, When you can afford to buy a house, take vacations, support a family, you're going to look back at this moment and be damn glad you made this decision to pursue the electrical trade. The bottom line, the truth about becoming an electrician in 2025, it's one of the best career decisions you can make. If, and this is a big if, you're willing to put in the work, you're willing to learn continuously, you're willing to start at the bottom and work your way up. You're willing to get your hands dirty and solve real problems. If you can do that, the electrical trade will reward you with good money, job security, and the satisfaction of doing work that actually matters. Because at the end of the day, when the lights come on, because of work you did, that's a pretty damn good feeling. If this video helped you, smash that like button. If you want more unfiltered trade career advice, subscribe and hit that notification bell. And remember, how many electricians does it take to change a light bulb? One, but he'll charge you 200 for the house call. Peace out.