What You Need to Know About Electrician
Career Description 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.
List of Electrician Job Duties
- Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, or components, using test equipment and hand tools to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem.
- Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
- Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
- Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
- Provide assistance during emergencies by operating floodlights or generators, placing flares, or driving needed vehicles.
- Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.
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Electrician Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Electricians say are important on the job.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Installation: Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
Other Electrician Job Titles
- Electrical Wiring Lineman
- Street Light Mechanic
- Neon Sign Worker
- Switch Inspector
- Signal Wirer
What Kind of Electrician Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 666,900 jobs for Electrician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 59,600 new jobs for Electrician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 82,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Electrician are Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Electrician Average Salary
The salary for Electricians ranges between about $32,940 and $94,620 a year.
Electricians who work in Illinois, District of Columbia, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Electricians make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,590 |
| Alaska | $76,330 |
| Arizona | $47,950 |
| Arkansas | $43,650 |
| California | $69,320 |
| Colorado | $55,500 |
| Connecticut | $59,500 |
| Delaware | $58,890 |
| District of Columbia | $76,030 |
| Florida | $45,240 |
| Georgia | $50,540 |
| Hawaii | $75,810 |
| Idaho | $50,170 |
| Illinois | $75,820 |
| Indiana | $59,060 |
| Iowa | $53,360 |
| Kansas | $54,940 |
| Kentucky | $53,060 |
| Louisiana | $52,200 |
| Maine | $53,670 |
| Maryland | $56,960 |
| Massachusetts | $68,030 |
| Michigan | $59,090 |
| Minnesota | $70,410 |
| Mississippi | $49,540 |
| Missouri | $60,860 |
| Montana | $58,990 |
| Nebraska | $50,470 |
| Nevada | $62,420 |
| New Hampshire | $54,610 |
| New Jersey | $71,660 |
| New Mexico | $51,050 |
| New York | $77,810 |
| North Carolina | $44,140 |
| North Dakota | $63,260 |
| Ohio | $53,130 |
| Oklahoma | $53,030 |
| Oregon | $69,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,890 |
| Rhode Island | $57,620 |
| South Carolina | $44,720 |
| South Dakota | $45,490 |
| Tennessee | $50,610 |
| Texas | $50,980 |
| Utah | $54,120 |
| Vermont | $51,440 |
| Virginia | $51,290 |
| Washington | $68,640 |
| West Virginia | $53,440 |
| Wisconsin | $60,130 |
| Wyoming | $59,400 |
What Tools & Technology do Electricians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Electricians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Spreadsheet software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Database software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
- Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
- Insight Direct ServiceCEO
- Wonderware InTouch
- Craftsman CD Estimator
Becoming an Electrician
What education or degrees do I need to become an Electrician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Electricians Sector
Electricians work in the following industries:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Electrician might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Fran Hogan via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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