Electricians

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Electrician
• Industrial Electrician
• Inside Wireman
• Maintenance Electrician

Alternate Job Titles

• Airport Electrician
• Antenna Installer
• Antenna Rigger
• Commercial Electrician
• Conduit Installer
• Conduit Mechanic
• Construction Electrician
• Control Electrician
• Conventional System Lightning Protection Technician
• Diesel Electrician
• Diesel Maintenance Electrician
• Electric Sign Wirer
• Electric Stop Installer
• Electric Wirer
• Electrical Installer

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
• Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
• Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
• 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.
• Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
• Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
• Maintain current electrician's license or identification card to meet governmental regulations.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Building and Construction
• Administration and Management

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Troubleshooting

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Deductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Oral Comprehension
• Finger Dexterity
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Extent Flexibility

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Attention to Detail
• Integrity
• Perseverance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Independence
• Support
• Achievement
• Working Conditions
• Relationships

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: 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.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Adobe Acrobat
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Word
• SAP software

Tools & Equipment

• Adjustable wrenches
• Air compressors
• Allen wrenches
• Ammeters
• Automatic insulation strippers
• Awls
• Backhoes
• Bandsaws
• Bear claw wire threaders
• Bucket trucks
• Butane soldering irons
• Cabinet tip screwdrivers
• Cable benders
• Cable butt trimmers
• Cable cutters

Work Environment

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Contact With Others
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$39,430
Median	$62,350
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$106,030

Workers Employed Nationally: 742,580

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.