Electrical

Program Information

Electrical wiring is integral to industry, commercial enterprises, and residential homes. The Electrical curriculum integrates basic electrical skills and high-tech instrumentation for a wide range of industrial employment. The term “instrumentation” refers to instruments used to measure and control manufacturing conversions or treating processes. Knowledge of electricity and process control gives a person a more marketable skill to offer all industries. These fields expand into SMART instruments, PLC/DCS interface, and AC variable frequency motor controls. The Electrical Technology program is designed to teach the basic principles of electricity, the National Electric Code, and the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment. Electrical/Instrumentation Technology is designed to teach basic instrumentation for measurement and control in manufacturing. A student will gain knowledge and practical hands-on experience in both technologies for servicing, troubleshooting, and monitoring these systems and equipment through the various courses.

Occupational Choices

Employment of electricians is projected to grow by six percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 73,500 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Nearly every building has electricity. Electricians are needed to install and replace these power systems. Alternative power generation, such as solar and wind, is a growing field that should require more electricians for installation. Electricians will continue to be needed to link these alternative systems to homes and power grids over the projected decade. However, employment growth stemming from these alternative sources may depend on government provisions—such as credits, net metering, and tax incentives—that spur consumer demand by lowering installation costs.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Electricians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm (visited January 27, 2024).

Average Full-Time Wage

The median annual wage for electricians was $60,240 in May 2022. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,440, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $102,300.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Electricians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm (visited January 27, 2024).

Awards Available

Associate of Applied Science
Automotive/Advanced Manufacturing
Electrical

Electrician
Instrumentation

Short Term Certificate

Automotive/Advanced Manufacturing
Electrical

Entry Level Technician 
Instrumentation 

Program Contact

Edward Abrasley
Program Coordinator/Instructor
334-420-4369
Location:  Patterson Site - Bldg. M

The College regularly evaluates student learning outcomes for each program as part of ongoing planning and evaluation.

Estimated Program Length & Cost *

* Tax not included.  Prices are subject to change without prior notice; the cost of books may vary considerably among suppliers.  The cost of general education books is in addition to the total listed above.  The length of the program is based on full-time status of 12-15 credit hours per term.  Enrollment in transitional-level general education courses will alter the length of the program.