Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay: Job Description
Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
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What Tasks Do Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay include:
- Inspect and test equipment and circuits to identify malfunctions or defects, using wiring diagrams and testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or ammeters.
- Prepare and maintain records detailing tests, repairs, and maintenance.
- Consult manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering personnel to troubleshoot and solve equipment problems and to determine optimum equipment functioning.
- Analyze test data to diagnose malfunctions, to determine performance characteristics of systems, or to evaluate effects of system modifications.
- Open and close switches to isolate defective relays, performing adjustments or repairs.
- Notify facility personnel of equipment shutdowns.
- Repair, replace, and clean equipment and components such as circuit breakers, brushes, and commutators.
- Run signal quality and connectivity tests for individual cables, and record results.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Apparatus Lineman
- Corrosion Control Fitter
- Corrosion Technician
- Electrical Maintenance Mechanic
- Electrical Technician
- Electrical Test Technician (Electrical Test Tech)
- Electrical and Instrumentation Technician (E and I Technician)
- Field Electronics Tech (Field Electronics Technician)
Job Outlook
There are roughly 529,892 electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay working in the United States today. Employment is projected to decline by -1.2% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $89,975 |
| Hourly median | $43.26 |
| 10th percentile | $54,039 |
| 25th percentile | $72,007 |
| 75th percentile | $107,943 |
| 90th percentile | $125,911 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $126,460 |
| Idaho | $122,570 |
| Hawaii | $121,000 |
| Colorado | $120,320 |
| Massachusetts | $119,720 |
| Arizona | $118,470 |
| California | $117,850 |
| Alaska | $117,640 |
| Wisconsin | $116,250 |
| North Dakota | $116,010 |
| Minnesota | $115,260 |
| Rhode Island | $114,480 |
| South Dakota | $111,680 |
| Washington | $109,210 |
| New Jersey | $108,750 |
| Michigan | $108,450 |
| Montana | $107,490 |
| Illinois | $107,210 |
| Kansas | $105,790 |
| Georgia | $104,950 |
| Connecticut | $104,920 |
| Utah | $104,730 |
| Nebraska | $104,730 |
| Arkansas | $103,190 |
| Indiana | $102,160 |
| Ohio | $101,020 |
| New York | $100,440 |
| Vermont | $99,890 |
| Maryland | $97,440 |
| North Carolina | $96,730 |
| Tennessee | $96,590 |
| Alabama | $96,100 |
| Nevada | $96,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $95,930 |
| Florida | $95,840 |
| West Virginia | $95,270 |
| Texas | $94,940 |
| Virginia | $93,660 |
| Maine | $93,090 |
| Kentucky | $90,730 |
| Mississippi | $90,690 |
| Oklahoma | $90,430 |
| Iowa | $88,680 |
| Missouri | $85,690 |
| New Hampshire | $81,150 |
| South Carolina | $80,110 |
| Louisiana | $79,980 |
| New Mexico | $72,570 |
| Puerto Rico | $31,260 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay vary by region. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $115,651 | 12.4% | 0.78 |
| Rocky Mountains | $114,806 | 2.5% | 0.96 |
| New England | $105,890 | 4.7% | 1.26 |
| Great Lakes | $105,321 | 14.6% | 1.17 |
| Middle Atlantic | $100,287 | 21.6% | 1.71 |
| Plains States | $98,234 | 3.9% | 0.71 |
| Southwest | $95,506 | 13.6% | 1.12 |
| Southeast | $94,380 | 26.0% | 1.20 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | CA | $137,470 | 50 |
| Anchorage, AK | AK | $136,420 | 40 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $131,680 | 260 |
| Visalia, CA | CA | $127,350 | 50 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | OR | $126,460 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | CA | $125,250 | 280 |
| Worcester, MA | MA | $124,100 | 110 |
| Syracuse, NY | NY | $124,050 | 120 |
Top Industries Employing Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Most electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | 15,140 | $104,080 |
| Construction | 1,530 | $76,590 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 620 | $78,350 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 620 | $57,220 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 530 | $84,220 |
| Wholesale Trade | 340 | $58,310 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 280 | $104,150 |
| Manufacturing | 210 | $64,330 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
Daily working conditions for electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay reflects the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Education and Training
Most electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay positions require some college, no degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Electrical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer (Supplemental)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Robotics Technicians (Supplemental)
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Lighting Technicians (Supplemental)
- Electricians (Primary-Long)
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Primary-Short)
Degree Programs
Students preparing for electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay often complete programs in:
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
2 programs across 2 majors
Construction Trades
1 programs across 1 majors
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-2095.00 (Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay).