The Top 11 Magazines for Electricians  

In an industry constantly evolving, it’s in your best interest to keep up. 

To compete, you need to know about all the latest tools and innovations. You need to be aware of changing best practices, new technologies, and updated regulations. 

One way to stay ahead is by subscribing to industry publications. There are quite a few options out there. To help you on your search, we’ve put together a list of the 11 top magazines for electricians. 

We’ll first touch on why industry magazines matter for electricians like you. Then, we’ll list our favorites. We’ll finish with a few tips on choosing the right one. 

Make your business the best it can be. Use your drive to continually learn to uplift your customer experience and future-proof your services. 

All you need is insight to guide you in the right direction. So, let’s get started! 

Why Industry Magazines Matter for Electricians 

Ever heard of the phrase “continuous improvement”? 

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) defines it as, “…the ongoing improvement of products, services or processes through incremental and breakthrough improvements.” 

Why should you be interested in adopting a continuous improvement mindset? Because it helps you stay competitive. 

By making small changes on an ongoing basis, you move closer and closer to your potential. You also meet customer expectations, which have a habit of changing. 

Think about it like this. If you don’t strive to improve day in and day out, your business stagnates. Your competitors quickly overtake you. 

But if you push forward and work on slowly but surely building a resilient and competitive business, you’ll thrive. 

Let’s tie this back to electrician magazines. These publications give you direction. They guide your continuous improvement methods. 

They empower you to make evidence-backed decisions about where to invest your resources. They also teach you new skills or best practices. 

How electricians work has changed a lot in the past century. You don’t do things the way they did back then—it was much more dangerous and uninformed. 

Of course, this is on a much larger scale, but the logic still applies. 

You want to conduct operations in a way that aligns with the very latest industry knowledge. Magazines help you do precisely that. 

Other benefits include: 

• Discover the highest-rated equipment to make smart purchasing decisions. 
• Learn from featured businesses. 
• Acquire skills outside of your wheelhouse, like small business marketing. 
• Protect your business by keeping up with rules, codes, and regulations. 

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: How to Price Residential Electrical Work 
 

The Top 11 Magazines for Electricians 

Sharpen your skills. Keep up with industry changes. Know all about the latest tools and tech. Use these 11 top magazines for electricians to reach your goals and become an industry leader. 

1. Electrical Contractor Magazine (ECM) 

ECM is widely thought of as one of the most popular and important publications in the industry. It’s published by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) each month. 

In the magazine, you’ll learn about industry news and updates. It touches on things like tools and innovations. It also provides updates on safety standards. 

Whether you’re an owner, journeyman, or apprentice, this magazine is an excellent way to keep your finger on the pulse. In addition to the main magazine, ECM also offers two quarterly publications: 

• Safety Leader, which touches on workplace safety 
• Line Contractor, which covers outside line construction 

Want to learn more? Explore the magazine and subscribe to Electrical Contractor Magazine‘s website. 

They also have an extensive archive of past issues. This is an excellent resource for catching up on old topics. Just be aware that some of the information might be outdated. So, use your discretion. 

2. tED Magazine 

For those who work in electrical distribution, tED Magazine is another must-read. 

It gives you relevant insights on new products, market trends, and best practices for the electrical industry. It’s also published twice a month, so there’s a vast amount of reliable information on offer. 

The publication seeks to help both electricians and distributors stay competitive. It does this through product reviews, market analysis, and other value-added content. 

Alongside the magazine, tED publishes several digital newsletters. It’s also the host of an award-winning podcast called DistributED. Guests and speakers generally discuss industry challenges and opportunities. 

If you want to keep up with tED‘s content, you can subscribe through their subscription page. 

More details about the magazine and its offerings can be found on tED Magazine‘s official site. 

3. Modern Contractor Solutions 

Are you a commercial electrician? This read is essential for you. 

Modern Contractor Solutions is a highly valuable resource for up-to-date insights on the latest tools and equipment. It also explores business management strategies for streamlining operations. 

Modern Contractor Solutions is B2B, which means it’s a business-to-business publication. Its goals are to help businesses like yours boost their efficiency and avoid legal issues. 

Articles enable you to lock down high safety standards and maintain a healthy profit margin—especially when working on large-scale projects. 

To subscribe to Modern Contractor Solutions, visit their subscription portal. And explore the latest issues and articles on their website. 

4. Electrical Wholesaling 

Do you operate in the distribution or manufacturing space? Put Electrical Wholesaling magazine at the top of your to-read list. 

This magazine caters to the needs of electrical distributors, manufacturers, and independent representatives. In it, you’ll find a whole host of valuable insights. This includes: 

• Robust, in-depth market analysis 
• Business trends and best practices 
• New sales techniques for the electrical market 
• Infrastructure legislation 
• Industry challenges 
• Emerging and future opportunities 

These relevant, actionable topics make Electrical Wholesaling a go-to resource for many. 

What’s more, Electrical Wholesaling is available in print or digital editions. It also has a podcast that deep dives into trends and opportunities on the horizon. 

Learn more at Electrical Wholesaling‘s website or become a member here. 

5. Plant Engineering 

Plant Engineering must be one of the industry’s longest-running publications. It launched way back in 1947. Since then, it’s evolved into a trusted source. 

Its target audience is plant engineers, maintenance supervisors, and facility managers. So, if your clients are in the industrial and manufacturing industries, this publication is for you. 

What kinds of things can you learn about? Think engineering, automation, and plant maintenance. It examines emerging technology and strategies for enhanced energy efficiency. 

It also explores the potential of sustainable practices in industrial settings. For example, you might find guidance on upgrading to LED lighting or switching to renewable energy. 

The publication is available in print and digital formats. You can access the latest insights in whatever way best suits you. 

Check out Plant Engineering‘s website or subscribe here. 

6. Construction Executive 

Let’s change pace for a moment. Construction Executive doesn’t focus on industry innovations. Instead, it’s all about running a business. 

It gives you practical, actionable advice on boosting profitability with efficient systems. You’ll find information on all kinds of business management strategies—from streamlining operations to winning bids. There’s even content about managing your team and getting the best out of them. 

Construction Executive has been around for over two decades now. Its first copy hit shelves back in 2003. 

Today, it reaches over 5,000 commercial, industrial, and institutional contractors. It has even won over 20 editorial awards for its insightful content. 

See what all the fuss is about and visit their website. You can subscribe here. 

7. IAEI Magazine 

The Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry (IAEI) publishes a quarterly magazine. If you conduct electrical installations or inspections, it’s worth a read. 

This magazine zeroes in on the fundamentals. It’s an excellent learning resource through every stage of your career. 

You’ll also discover the latest research and best practices on things like inspection processes. It covers industry standards, safety, and evolving technology. 

Like many other publications on our list, you can read IAEI Magazine in print or online. You can subscribe for $65 each year. But if you’re already a member of the IAEI, you get the magazine for free. 

Prefer not to spend money? No worries. You can reach archived issues online for free. 

For more information or to subscribe, visit IAEI Magazine‘s website. 

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8. Electrical Products & Solutions 

Electrical Products & Solutions is another great option. 

It informs electrical contractors about new product releases and published real-world case studies. You can see how these innovations impact and improve businesses like yours. 

So, if you’re interested in exploring new tools or staying on top of industry developments, give Electrical Products & Solutions a go. It’s totally free, and you’ll get two issues a month. 

Plus, you can subscribe to their email newsletter for updates in your inbox. You can also read archived articles online. 

To subscribe, visit the Electrical Products & Solutions‘ subscription page. 

9. Construction Business Owner (CBO) 

Is growth on the cards for your business? If so, read Construction Business Owner. 

The magazine covers a broad range of topics related to construction. The real golden nuggets for electricians come in their content on business management. Find industry-specific advice on: 

• Marketing 
• Accounting 
• Risk management 
• Legal compliance 
• Insurance 
• Customer service 

Each article gives you actionable tips you can use to drive measurable results. 

CBO magazine is published once a month in both print and digital formats. 

You can check out the latest issues and subscribe on the Construction Business Owner‘s website. 

10. Residential Contractor Magazine 

Do you primarily serve residential clients? There’s a magazine for you too. 

Residential Contractor magazine looks at building codes, product innovations, energy-efficient and smart home tech, and more. 

Today, technology is becoming more and more commonplace in residential construction. These insights will give you a leg up on the competition. They’ll also differentiate your business to help you win over more customers. 

While innovation is the focus, the content is grounded and practical. It’s also relevant regardless of whether you work on home construction, remodeling, and renovation jobs. 

Residential Contractor magazine is available monthly in print and online. Stay engaged with their frequent updates and insights by subscribing through their website. 

To sign up, visit Residential Contractor magazine’s subscription page. 

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: How to Start a Small Electrical Contractor Business 

11. Building Design+Construction (BD+C) 

Building Design+Construction is another top publication. Its main area of interest is cutting-edge building products and materials. 

You’ll find information on things like: 

• Smart sensors 
• Building Information Modeling (BIM) software 
• Prefabrication techniques 
• Sustainable materials 

If you often take on large-scale projects, these insights can prove invaluable. 

BD+C is published six times a year. It keeps you informed about essential industry news and regulatory changes. It also documents major construction projects that could impact your business. 

You can browse past issues and subscribe to BD+C by visiting their website and checking out their archive here. 

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Where to Start with Electrician Magazines 

So, there you have it—our list of the 11 top magazines for electricians. Now, how do you know which are worth your time? 

Here are some tips to help you select the best magazines for your specific needs: 

• Think about your specialty. Do you do mainly residential work? Choose a magazine like Residential Contractor. If you handle commercial projects, look for content about large-scale construction. Building Design+Construction is a great place to start. 
• Identify your growth goals. Maybe you’re more interested in the business side of the industry. Look for magazines offering business management, marketing, and leadership advice. These will give you strategies to take your company to the next level. You might try Modern Contractor Solutions or CBO. 
• Check the magazine’s depth of content. Some magazines focus on broad industry updates. Others provide detailed technical insights or business strategies. Choose a magazine that matches the depth of information you’re looking for. 
• Look for extra features. Some magazines come with digital tools, podcasts, or newsletters. If you prefer staying updated through multiple formats, look for magazines that offer these extras. That way, you can continuously learn and improve in a way that suits you best.