Life As an Electrician
Job 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.
A Day in the Life of an Electrician
- Fasten small metal or plastic boxes to walls to house electrical switches or outlets.
- Install ground leads and connect power cables to equipment, such as motors.
- 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.
- Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
- 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.
- Perform physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches to lay conduit or moving or lifting heavy objects.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Electrician?
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.
Related Job Titles
- Neon Sign Servicer
- Ship Wirer
- Street Light Wirer
- Test Man
- Mine Wirer
What Kind of Electrician Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 666,900 jobs for Electrician in 2016. 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.
How Much Does an Electrician Make?
The typical yearly salary for Electricians is somewhere between $32,940 and $94,620.
Electricians who work in Illinois, District of Columbia, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Electricians in different U.S. states.
| 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Electricians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Electricians:
- 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
How to Become an Electrician
What education or degrees do I need to become an Electrician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Electricians Work?
Electricians work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being an Electrician may also be interested in:
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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