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Apprentice electrician vs master electrician

The differences between apprentices electrician and master 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 master electrician. Additionally, a master electrician has an average salary of $52,154, 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 master electrician are electrical equipment, electrical systems, and switches.

Apprentice electrician vs master electrician overview

Apprentice ElectricianMaster Electrician
Yearly salary$38,799$52,154
Hourly rate$18.65$25.07
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs21,33526,377
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
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 master electrician do?

A Master Electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in private homes or commercial properties. They also supervise the work performed by journeymen, ensure proper staffing, and monitor the quality, as well as prepare and submit work documentation.

Apprentice electrician vs master electrician salary

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

Apprentice ElectricianMaster Electrician
Average salary$38,799$52,154
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $52,000Between $31,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CAMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateHawaiiVermont
Best paying companyDellAllegro MicroSystems
Best paying industryConstructionEnergy

Differences between apprentice electrician and master electrician education

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

Apprentice ElectricianMaster Electrician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Apprentice electrician vs master electrician demographics

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

Apprentice ElectricianMaster Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.3% Female, 4.7%Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.3% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between apprentice electrician and master 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

Master electrician example responsibilities.

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Experience with PLC (e.g., industrial maintenance, computer control systems, etc .).
  • Experience in installing and maintaining motors, welding equipment, lighting fixtures, generators, circuit breakers, and transformers.
  • Snake wires through PVC, conduits, walls.
  • Work under company safety policies and maintain OSHA safe facilities.
  • Repair failures of substation breakers, transformers, and other equipment.
  • Show more

Apprentice electrician vs master electrician skills

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

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