Career Overview
Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Also Known As
- Electrical Apprentice
- Electrician Apprentice
- Electrician Helper
- Electrician's Helper
Alternate Job Titles
- Apprentice
- Automotive Electrician Helper (Auto Electrician Helper)
- E and I Apprentice (Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice)
- E and I Apprentice (Electrician and Instrumentation Apprentice)
- Electrical Apprentice
- Electrical Assistant
- Electrical Helper
- Electrical Sign Wirer Helper
- Electrician Apprentice
- Electrician Assistant
- Electrician Helper
- Electrician's Assistant
- Electrician's Helper
- Helper
- House Wirer Helper
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.
- Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter.
- Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
- Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.
- Maintain tools, vehicles, and equipment and keep parts and supplies in order.
- Drill holes and pull or push wiring through openings, using hand and power tools.
- Clean work area and wash parts.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Design
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Mathematics
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Finger Dexterity
- Extent Flexibility
- Trunk Strength
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Problem Sensitivity
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air compressors
- Air spades
- Airhammers
- Ammeters
- Automatic wire strippers
- Awls
- Backhoes
- Bear claw wire threaders
- Block and tackle equipment
- Bucket trucks
- Bulldozers
- Cabinet tip screwdrivers
- Cable cutters
Work Environment
- 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
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Spend Time Standing
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $31,200 |
| Median | $39,890 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $56,770 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 64,440
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $39,270
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,860
Electricians
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)
Median Salary: $62,350
Helpers--Carpenters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $41,600
Millwrights
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $65,170
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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.