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Apprentice vs industrial electrician

The differences between apprentices and industrial 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 and an industrial electrician. Additionally, an industrial electrician has an average salary of $62,533, which is higher than the $37,107 average annual salary of an apprentice.

The top three skills for an apprentice include PET, customer service and basic math. The most important skills for an industrial electrician are electrical equipment, hand tools, and ac.

Apprentice vs industrial electrician overview

ApprenticeIndustrial Electrician
Yearly salary$37,107$62,533
Hourly rate$17.84$30.06
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs13,01423,963
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Associate Degree, 42%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does an apprentice do?

An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures. An apprentice must be detail-oriented, fast-learner, and enthusiastic. An apprentice should also know how to accept constructive criticisms and feedback to improve performance and skill development.

What does an industrial electrician do?

An Industrial Electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in industrial facilities. They are usually part of a construction team to put in and check new equipment and systems.

Apprentice vs industrial electrician salary

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

ApprenticeIndustrial Electrician
Average salary$37,107$62,533
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $51,000Between $47,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CityWorcester, MASaint Paul, MN
Highest paying stateAlaskaVermont
Best paying companyMid-South ManagementThe Washington Post
Best paying industryTransportationAutomotive

Differences between apprentice and industrial electrician education

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

ApprenticeIndustrial Electrician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Apprentice vs industrial electrician demographics

Here are the differences between apprentices' and industrial electricians' demographics:

ApprenticeIndustrial Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 78.4% Female, 21.6%Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 2.2% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between apprentice and industrial electrician duties and responsibilities

Apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Perform services include but not limit to plumbing, roofing, siding, painting, tiling, and electrical work.
  • Replace asphalt shingles, and other cold application roofs, and built-up roofs and apply caulking materials and membrane waterproofing.
  • Experience with EPDM & TPO single-ply membrane, fully adhere and mechanically fasten.
  • Assist journeyman with bending pipe (EMT, PVC & rigid), pulling and installing wire, and terminating panels
  • Locate and repair leaks in asphalt, asbestos, and slate shingles, tile and built-up roofs and single-ply membranes.
  • Install and repair electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, conduit systems, fixtures, wall sockets, plugs and switches.
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Industrial electrician example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to retrofit outdate piece of CNC machinery to allow usage for production personnel on a new design part.
  • Install electrical services ranging from 480 volts ac to 24 volts dc.
  • Include the installation of EMT and rigid conduit for branch circuits, fire alarm systems and motor control circuits.
  • Job responsibilities include running conduit wiring transformers and terminating PLC cabinets.
  • Work with voltages ranging from 24 vdc to 2300 vac.
  • Maintain both A/C and D/C main power generation systems.
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Apprentice vs industrial electrician skills

Common apprentice skills
  • PET, 43%
  • Customer Service, 28%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Apprenticeship, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 3%
  • CPR, 1%
Common industrial electrician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Ac, 4%
  • Dc, 4%
  • Test Equipment, 4%
  • Industrial Maintenance, 4%

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