Electricians

Also Called: Chief Electrician, Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Maintenance Electrician

Certificate After High School

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$38,470

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Electricians do

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

  • Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.
  • Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
  • Test electrical systems or continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using testing devices, such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing • Automotive & Machine Repair • Construction • Information Technology • Renewable Resources and Energy

Training Program Areas:

Building Construction Technology • Drafting • Electrical • Facilities Maintenance • HVAC • Network Cable Installation • OCT-Only Advanced Manufacturing • OCT-Only Automotive & Machine Repair • OCT-Only Construction • OCT-Only Information Technology • OCT-Only Renewable Resources & Energy • Petroleum Technician • Sign & Billboard • Smart Meter & Instrumentation Technician • Solar Energy • Stationary Engineering • Weatherization

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Spend Time Standing
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Contact With Others
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Tools

  • Stripping tools
  • Wire or cable cutter
  • Voltage or current meters
  • Cable reels
  • Wire lug crimping tool

Technology

Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD
One Mile Up Panel Planner
Analytical or scientific software
Construction Master Pro
SoftEmpire Electrical Calculations
Data base user interface and query software
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
Shafer Service Systems

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
building and construction
mechanical
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
physics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Safety and Government
public safety and security

Education

  • 59% Post-secondary certificate
  • 18% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 8% Less than high school diploma

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Elevator & Escalator Installers & Repairers

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Electricians Currently Selected

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades & Extraction Workers

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

Electrical Engineers

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

 Job Training Match

Agricultural Technicians

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

  • Albuquerque - Job Corps

    Albuquerque, New Mexico

  • Arecibo Job Corps

    Garrochales, Puerto Rico

ACT & College

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

    Tifton, GA

  • Academy of Careers and Technology

    Beckley, WV

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

The Military offers exciting career opportunities that align with your interests. Click here to explore military careers and find a recruiter near you.

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Investigative (Thinker)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Initiative
  • Leadership

Values

  • Independence
  • Support
  • Achievement

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Verbal
  • Visual Understanding

This is what Electricians across the country typically make.

$18.49 / hour
$38,470 /year

Entry Level

$29.61 / hour
$61,590 /year

Median Level

$50.09 / hour
$104,180 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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