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The differences between apprentices 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 and a journeyman electrician. Additionally, a journeyman electrician has an average salary of $54,526, 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 a journeyman electrician are hand tools, electrical systems, and EMT.
| Apprentice | Journeyman Electrician | |
| Yearly salary | $37,107 | $54,526 |
| Hourly rate | $17.84 | $26.21 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 13,014 | 18,411 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
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.
Apprentices and journeyman electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Apprentice | Journeyman Electrician | |
| Average salary | $37,107 | $54,526 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $51,000 | Between $35,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Worcester, MA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Mid-South Management | MDU Resources |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Construction |
There are a few differences between an apprentice and a journeyman electrician in terms of educational background:
| Apprentice | Journeyman Electrician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 34% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between apprentices' and journeyman electricians' demographics:
| Apprentice | Journeyman Electrician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6% | Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |