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Apprentice electrician vs journeyman electrician

The differences between apprentices electrician and journeyman electricians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an apprentice electrician and a journeyman electrician. Additionally, a journeyman electrician has an average salary of $54,526, which is higher than the $38,799 average annual salary of an apprentice electrician.

The top three skills for an apprentice electrician include hand tools, run conduit and EMT. The most important skills for a journeyman electrician are hand tools, electrical systems, and EMT.

Apprentice electrician vs journeyman electrician overview

Apprentice ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Yearly salary$38,799$54,526
Hourly rate$18.65$26.21
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs21,33518,411
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does an apprentice electrician do?

An Apprentice Electrician is responsible for conducting electrical repairs and faults under the supervision and guidelines of a Master Electrician. The duties of an Apprentice will vary while still under training; however, it will mostly revolve around assisting the Master Electrician or carrying out given tasks. Furthermore, an Apprentice Electrician may be responsible for clearing out sites, carrying or loading materials, procuring required supplies, understanding and interpreting various types of blueprints, handling wiring systems, and coordinating with multiple workers, even including the clients.

What does a journeyman electrician do?

A journeyman electrician is responsible for performing various electrical tasks such as installation, repair, and maintenance. They have the freedom to provide services as part of a company or as an independent worker. Unlike an apprentice, a journeyman can work without any supervision from a master electrician. Furthermore, a journeyman electrician also has the responsibility to discuss the extent of repairs and explain to clients how to take better care of their appliances and electrical systems. A journeyman will also obtain the necessary supplies for a task and even train apprentices.

Apprentice electrician vs journeyman electrician salary

Apprentices electrician and journeyman electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Apprentice ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Average salary$38,799$54,526
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $52,000Between $35,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiVermont
Best paying companyDellMDU Resources
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between apprentice electrician and journeyman electrician education

There are a few differences between an apprentice electrician and a journeyman electrician in terms of educational background:

Apprentice ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Apprentice electrician vs journeyman electrician demographics

Here are the differences between apprentices electrician' and journeyman electricians' demographics:

Apprentice ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.3% Female, 4.7%Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between apprentice electrician and journeyman electrician duties and responsibilities

Apprentice electrician example responsibilities.

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Experience with underground installations and installing PVC, EMT, MC, wire pulling, trimming, device and panel makeup.
  • Pull cables on main tray from PLC to junction boxes, including motor control center to motors and on/off switches.
  • Perform grind up industrial electrical construction, running above grind EMT and rigid conduit, underground PVC conduit and pulling wire.
  • Copper & brass fitting & brazing.
  • Weather seal and caulking, around glass panes interior and exterior of buildings.
  • Show more

Journeyman electrician example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to retrofit outdate piece of CNC machinery to allow usage for production personnel on a new design part.
  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Rewire, install and perform preventative maintenance on electrical panels, switches and distribution systems.
  • Work on various PLC's, Allen-Bradley, GE, Omron, and Siemens.
  • Install electrical construction with in mall buildings, wiring lighting, bending EMT conduit, pulling wiring for new circuits.
  • Measure, cut, bend, thread, assemble and install electrical conduit, including EMT, rigid and PVC pipe.
  • Show more

Apprentice electrician vs journeyman electrician skills

Common apprentice electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 13%
  • RUN Conduit, 12%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Electrical Components, 5%
Common journeyman electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Transformers, 7%
  • Electrical Components, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%

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