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All About Electricians

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.

What Do Electricians Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
  • Provide preliminary sketches or cost estimates for materials or services.
  • Perform physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches to lay conduit or moving or lifting heavy objects.
  • Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
  • Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
  • Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.

Things an Electrician Should Know How to Do

Electricians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

Types of Electrician Jobs

  • Solar Photovoltaic Electrician
  • Test Worker
  • Neon Sign Mechanic
  • Electrician Apprentice
  • Overhead Worker

Electrician Job Outlook

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 666,900 jobs in the United States for Electrician. 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.

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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.

Do Electricians Make A Lot Of Money?

Electricians make between $32,940 and $94,620 a year.

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Electricians who work in Illinois, District of Columbia, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.

How much do Electricians make 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

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 kind of Electrician requirements are there?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where do Electricians Work?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Electricians employed by various industries.

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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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