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Apprentice vs master electrician

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

Apprentice vs master electrician overview

ApprenticeMaster Electrician
Yearly salary$37,107$52,154
Hourly rate$17.84$25.07
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs13,01426,377
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
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 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 vs master electrician salary

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

ApprenticeMaster Electrician
Average salary$37,107$52,154
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $51,000Between $31,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityWorcester, MAMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateAlaskaVermont
Best paying companyMid-South ManagementAllegro MicroSystems
Best paying industryTransportationEnergy

Differences between apprentice and master electrician education

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

ApprenticeMaster Electrician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Apprentice vs master electrician demographics

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

ApprenticeMaster Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 78.4% Female, 21.6%Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
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, 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 and master 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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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.
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Apprentice vs master electrician skills

Common apprentice skills
  • PET, 43%
  • Customer Service, 28%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Apprenticeship, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 3%
  • CPR, 1%
Common master electrician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 8%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Transformers, 5%
  • NEC, 5%

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