Electrician in Hollywood, FL

As a career analyst who’s spent years watching Hollywood, FL’s job market evolve, I can tell you this isn’t Miami’s sleepy cousin anymore. It’s a strategic hub with a unique mix of aging coastal properties, new construction in the western suburbs, and the constant demand of a tourist economy. For electricians, that translates to steady, varied work—if you know where to look and what you’re worth.

This guide is built on hard data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), and a deep understanding of local economics. Let's break down what it really means to build an electrical career in Hollywood.

The Salary Picture: Where Hollywood Stands

Hollywood’s electrical trade isn’t the highest-paying in Florida, but it’s a solid middle-ground market with a low barrier to entry. The median salary here is $63,728/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.64/hour. This sits just above the national average for electricians, which is $61,550/year.

The metro area—encompassing Hollywood and adjacent communities—has 461 electrician jobs listed. That number doesn’t account for the countless independent contractors and smaller firms, which is where much of the work actually lives. The 10-year job growth projection is 11%, slightly outpacing the national average, driven by ongoing infrastructure updates and the relentless pace of South Florida development.

Here’s how experience translates locally:

Experience Level	Typical Hollywood Salary Range	Key Local Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$45,000 - $55,000	Residential rough-ins, service calls, assisting journeymen on commercial sites.
Mid-Level (Journeyman)	$60,000 - $72,000	Lead residential projects, commercial tenant fit-outs, troubleshooting complex systems.
Senior (Master/Foreman)	$75,000 - $95,000+	Project management, estimating, code compliance for large builds, supervising crews.
Expert (Specialist)	$95,000 - $120,000+	Industrial controls, marine electrical, specialized systems (e.g., for film/TV stages).

Compared to Other Florida Cities:

• Miami-Fort Lauderdale: Higher ceiling ($68,000 median) but cost of living is 30%+ higher, and competition is fierce.
• Tampa/St. Petersburg: Similar median salary ($64,200), but with different work mix (more industrial).
• Orlando: Slightly lower median ($61,800), driven by tourism and new subdivisions.
• Jacksonville: Lower median ($59,500), but with a massive industrial and naval base market.

Insider Tip: The $63,728 median is your baseline. Your actual earning potential hinges on specialization and the type of employer. Union shops (IBEW Local 728) generally offer the highest total compensation (benefits, pension), while non-union commercial and industrial contractors often pay higher hourly rates but with fewer frills.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get brutally honest about your budget. Hollywood is not cheap. The metro population of 153,864 fuels a competitive housing market. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,621/month. The cost of living index is 111.8 (US avg = 100), meaning you’re paying 11.8% more than the national average for everything from groceries to gas.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget for an electrician earning the Hollywood median of $63,728/year (assuming filing as single, no dependents, standard deduction):

Category	Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Pay	$5,311	$63,728 / 12 months
Taxes (Est. 25%)	-$1,328	Federal, State (FL has no income tax), FICA
Net Pay	$3,983	Your take-home
Rent (1BR)	-$1,621	Average for a decent complex (e.g., near I-95)
Utilities (Elec, Water, Internet)	-$250	Higher due to AC year-round
Car Payment/Insurance	-$500	Essential; public transit is limited
Gas	-$200	Commute varies by neighborhood
Groceries	-$400	Slightly above national average
Health Insurance	-$200	If not fully covered by employer
Misc/Discretionary	-$812	Savings, entertainment, maintenance

Can they afford to buy a home? It’s tight. The median home price in Hollywood is roughly $425,000. With a 10% down payment ($42,500), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would be about $2,550/month. That’s 64% of your net pay—well above the recommended 30%. To comfortably afford a home, you’d need to be at a Senior or Expert level salary (upwards of $90k) or have a dual-income household. Most electricians rent in their early years here, often in the more affordable western neighborhoods.

Where the Jobs Are: Hollywood's Major Employers

Hollywood’s job market is a patchwork of large contractors, local family shops, and niche specialists. Here’s who’s hiring:

1. Broward County Public Schools: The district is constantly upgrading HVAC, lighting, and security systems across 200+ schools. They have a dedicated in-house electrician team. Hiring is steady, with excellent benefits and a pension. They prioritize local licensed electricians.
2. South Florida Hospital (HCA Florida Aventura & Memorial Regional): Major hospitals in the nearby region are always in a state of expansion or renovation. Work focuses on hospital-grade wiring, backup generators, and critical care infrastructure. These are long-term contracts for licensed journeymen and master electricians.
3. Moss Construction: A major regional builder with projects in Hollywood, Dania Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. They hire electrical subcontractors or sometimes have in-house crews for large residential and commercial developments. Hiring trends: They're heavily invested in the downtown Hollywood revitalization.
4. Local IBEW 728 Contractors: The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local union has a strong presence. Contractors like Power Electric or Tri-County Electric (often working on union projects) are key employers. They handle large commercial, industrial, and institutional work. Hiring is cyclical but robust, tied to major projects.
5. A-1 Electric: A large, local non-union residential and commercial contractor. They are known for being a steady employer for journeymen and apprentices, especially for service calls and new home builds in the western suburbs (e.g., near Sheridan Street).
6. Marine & Industrial Specialists: Companies servicing the Port Everglades logistics hub and the local yacht industry. These are niche employers looking for electricians with experience in 3-phase systems, marine-grade wiring, and industrial controls. Pay is often 10-20% above the median for the right skillset.
7. Hollywood Hospitality & Maintenance: The hotels and resorts along the beach (e.g., Diplomat, Margaritaville) have full-time maintenance engineering staff. It’s a unique blend of residential, commercial, and hospitality electrical work, often with a focus on guest safety and minimal downtime.

Hiring Trends: Demand is strongest for electricians who can work independently, have a clean driving record (for service vehicles), and are proficient with modern smart-home and energy-efficiency systems (like LED retrofits and code-compliant EV charger installations).

Getting Licensed in FL

Florida’s licensing is strict and protects the trade. You cannot work as an electrician without proper certification.

• Certified Electrician (C): This is the statewide license. Requires 4 years (8,000 hours) of verifiable experience under a licensed electrician and passing the state exam. You must also pass a business and finance exam if you plan to work for yourself. The application fee is roughly $175, with exam fees around $155 each.
• Registered Electrician (R): This allows you to work under a certificate holder in a specific county. It’s a common path for apprentices. The experience requirements are the same, but the exam is slightly different. Fees are similar.
• Timeline: From apprentice to fully licensed Certified Electrician, you’re looking at a minimum of 4 years. You can start working as an apprentice immediately after registering with the state (you need 1,000 hours of experience to sit for the journeyman exam). The entire process, from apprentice to master electrician (which requires the Certified license plus 2 more years of experience for the Master exam), can take 5-6 years.

Insider Tip: The state exams are tough. Hollywood has several trade schools (like Atlantic Technical College) that offer pre-licensing courses. Invest in a good prep course—it’s worth it.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Where you live affects your commute, cost, and lifestyle. Hollywood is divided by I-95, with distinct vibes on either side.

Neighborhood	Avg. 1BR Rent	Vibe & Commute	Best For...
Downtown Hollywood	$1,750-2,100	Walkable, artsy, close to the beach. Commute to coastal jobs is easy, but parking is a nightmare for work trucks.	Electricians working for hotels or downtown contractors. Younger, social electricians.
Hollywood Lakes	$1,650-1,900	Established, quiet, older homes. Close to Memorial Hospital and downtown. Good mix of residential service work.	Journeyman electricians doing residential service calls. Those who want a quiet home base.
Hillcrest	$1,450-1,600	Affordable, family-oriented, west of I-95. Newer developments mean frequent new construction rough-ins.	Apprentices and new journeymen. Best value for money and proximity to major contractors like A-1 Electric.
Southwest Miramar	$1,500-1,700	Adjacent to Miramar, more suburban, excellent schools. Commute to industrial jobs in Miramar/Port Everglades is good.	Electricians with families. Those targeting commercial work in the western industrial corridors.
Oceanfront/Barrier Island	$2,000+	Ultra-high cost, resort-style living. Limited neighborhood work, but high-end residential and resort maintenance jobs.	Senior electricians or specialists servicing luxury homes and hotels. Not realistic for most early-career electricians.

Insider Tip: Parking for a work van or truck is a real consideration. Downtown and older neighborhoods have limited space. Hillcrest and Southwest Miramar typically have driveways and garages, which is a big plus.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 11% job growth over the next decade is your runway. Hollywood isn’t just building; it’s retrofitting. This is where the money is.

• Specialty Premiums: General residential work pays the median. Specializations can boost you 20-40% above it.
  • Industrial/Controls: $75,000 - $110,000. Work around Port Everglades and in Miramar industrial parks.
  • Solar & Energy Efficiency: $70,000 - $95,000. Florida’s net metering rules and demand for efficiency in older buildings are driving this.
  • Data Center/AV: $80,000 - $120,000+. South Florida’s tech and media growth requires skilled low-voltage and high-voltage specialists.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Path A (Corporate): Apprentice → Journeyman (w/ IBEW) → Foreman → Project Manager. Steady, benefits-focused, less risk.
  2. Path B (Contractor): Apprentice → Journeyman → Start your own LLC (after getting your Master license). High risk, high reward. Hollywood’s constant growth supports small businesses, but require marketing and business savvy.
  3. Path C (Specialist): Apprentice → Journeyman → Master → Niche Certification (e.g., EVITP for electric vehicle infrastructure). This is the path to the highest earnings, especially in the coming decade.

10-Year Outlook: The electric vehicle evolution, hurricane hardening (generators, surge protection), and the push for energy independence will keep Hollywood electricians busy for the foreseeable future. The key will be staying ahead of code changes and technology.

The Verdict: Is Hollywood Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Steady, Diverse Work: Mix of residential, commercial, and industrial. No boredom.	High Cost of Living: Rent and homeownership are challenging on a single median salary.
Strong Job Growth: 11% growth is above average, with many employers.	Traffic & Commute: I-95 and US-441 are notorious bottlenecks. Commute time can be 30-60 mins.
No State Income Tax: Keeps more of your paycheck in your pocket.	Hurricane Season: Work can be seasonal (storm prep, post-storm repairs), and the climate is harsh on equipment.
Proximity to Miami/Ft. Lauderdale: Access to a massive regional market for higher-end jobs.	Licensing Bureaucracy: Florida’s licensing system is complex and requires patience.
Lifestyle: Beach access, diverse culture, and no state income tax.	Competition in the Trades: Good electricians are always in demand, but so are apprentices and journeymen.

Final Recommendation: Hollywood is an excellent choice for electricians who are self-starters, adaptable, and focused on specialization. It’s not the place to get rich quick as a basic residential electrician, but it’s a fantastic market for those who invest in their license, build a reputation, and pivot towards growth areas like solar, industrial controls, or commercial projects. If you can handle the cost of living for the first 3-5 years and network aggressively (especially with the IBEW and local contractors), Hollywood offers a durable, fulfilling career path with a high ceiling.

FAQs

Q: Is the union strong in Hollywood?
A: Yes, IBEW Local 728 is active. Union work is prevalent in the institutional and large commercial sectors (schools, hospitals, major developments). Union wages and benefits are typically superior, but you must go through their apprenticeship program, which is competitive.

Q: Can I work as an electrician without a license in Florida?
A: Absolutely not. Florida requires a state license (C or R) to perform electrical work. Working without one can result in heavy fines, cease-and-desist orders, and even criminal charges. As an apprentice, you must be registered under a licensed electrician.

Q: What’s the best way to find an apprenticeship in Hollywood?
A: Contact the Florida Department of Education’s Apprenticeship Division, apply directly to the IBEW Local 728 apprenticeship program, or network with local contractors like A-1 Electric or Moss Construction. Many jobs are found through word-of-mouth at supply houses like Graybar or Rexel.

Q: How does hurricane season impact an electrician’s work?
A: It creates a boom-bust cycle. The weeks before a storm are busy with generator installations and surge protection. After a storm, there’s a surge of repair work. However, it can also mean periods of downtime if you’re on call for emergency repairs. It’s a significant part of the local economy.

Q: Is it worth getting a Master Electrician license?
A: If you want to own your own business, yes, it’s mandatory. If you plan to stay as an employee, it’s less critical but can lead to supervisory roles (Foreman, Project Manager) and higher pay. Many employers prefer or require it for senior positions.