How long does it take to become a Journeyman?

It takes 3 years of professional experience to become a journeyman. That is the time it takes to learn specific journeyman skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

How To Become A Journeyman: What It Is and Career Path

What is a journeyman and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A journeyman has completed an apprenticeship and become proficient in a skilled trade. They have mastered the necessary skills and knowledge to work independently, but may still work under the guidance of a master. Journeymen typically work in fields such as construction, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry. They may install, repair, or maintain various systems or structures. Journeymen also work to meet safety regulations and industry standards. They provide skilled labor and help train new apprentices.

ScoreJourneymanUS Average

Salary

4.5

Avg. Salary $57,682

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

8.4

Growth Rate 2%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.14%

Asian 1.62%

Black or African American 7.32%

Hispanic or Latino 23.22%

Unknown 4.67%

White 62.04%

Gender

female 12.83%

male 87.17%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress Level

8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.9

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.1

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Journeyman?

Pros

High demand for skilled tradespeople
Good earning potential and benefits
Job security in an essential industry
Chance to develop valuable problem-solving skills
Satisfaction of contributing to the construction of buildings and infrastructure

Cons

Long hours, including nights and weekends, may be required to meet deadlines
Work can be seasonal, resulting in periods of unemployment or underemployment
Limited opportunities for remote work or telecommuting
Can be mentally challenging as you navigate complex plans and blueprints
May require ongoing training and education to stay up-to-date on industry advancements

Key steps to become a journeyman

Explore journeyman education requirements

Most common journeyman degrees

Associate

31.3 %

High School Diploma

31.0 %

Bachelor's

24.7 %

Start to develop specific journeyman skills

Skills	Percentages
Hand Tools	21.30%
Work Ethic	13.46%
HVAC	11.52%
Safety Procedures	6.23%
Plumbing	5.25%

Complete relevant journeyman training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New journeymen learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a journeyman based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real journeyman resumes.

Gain additional journeyman certifications

Journeyman certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific journeyman certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for journeymen include OSHA Safety Certificate and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

More About Certifications

Research journeyman duties and responsibilities

Manage 22 active duty hydraulic technicians in support of 32 of USAF's 59 KC-10A aircraft.
Serve as the hoisting specialist for critical glass lifts in order to achieve proper install while mitigating any risk for loss.
Implement and manage training program for incoming and/or replacement facility managers enhancing overall knowledge of CE maintenance and repair operations.
Install EMT to rigid including PVC.

Prepare your journeyman resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your journeyman resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a journeyman resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Journeyman Resume templates

Build a professional Journeyman resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Journeyman resume.

Apply for journeyman jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a journeyman job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do journeymen rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Journeyman reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2021

Pros

Teaching, supervising personnel interaction,

Cons

Dishonesty and no loyalty to anyone

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019

Cons

Actually I am not able to make on the offshore diving

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2019