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Apprentice vs wiring technician

The differences between apprentices and wiring technicians 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 wiring technician. Additionally, a wiring technician has an average salary of $38,136, 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 wiring technician are hand tools, safety procedures, and control panels.

Apprentice vs wiring technician overview

ApprenticeWiring Technician
Yearly salary$37,107$38,136
Hourly rate$17.84$18.33
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs13,01462,667
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Associate Degree, 30%
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 wiring technician do?

Wiring technicians install and conduct maintenance on wiring in electronic products. They are responsible for ensuring that machines are in working condition, and they continuously review products to ensure only good products are released to customers. They must have the ability to understand wiring schematics.

Apprentice vs wiring technician salary

Apprentices and wiring technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

ApprenticeWiring Technician
Average salary$37,107$38,136
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $51,000Between $28,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityWorcester, MAEverett, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaHawaii
Best paying companyMid-South ManagementSchneider Electric Industrial Services
Best paying industryTransportationFinance

Differences between apprentice and wiring technician education

There are a few differences between an apprentice and a wiring technician in terms of educational background:

ApprenticeWiring Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Associate Degree, 30%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common college--

Apprentice vs wiring technician demographics

Here are the differences between apprentices' and wiring technicians' demographics:

ApprenticeWiring Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 78.4% Female, 21.6%Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%
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, 17.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between apprentice and wiring technician 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.
  • Show more

Wiring technician example responsibilities.

  • Install, manage, and troubleshoot CAT3, CAT5, CAT6, and fiber optic infrastructures throughout the greater Tulsa area.
  • Full knowledge of cable installation and repair including quad, cat5, cat6, coax, aerial and bury service wire.
  • Install IPTV systems in residences and businesses.
  • Establish and troubleshoot wireless and Ethernet networks.
  • Configure modems, routers and Ethernet switches.
  • Wire custom switchboards and panels per schematics and wiring diagrams
  • Show more

Apprentice vs wiring technician skills

Common apprentice skills
  • PET, 43%
  • Customer Service, 28%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Apprenticeship, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 3%
  • CPR, 1%
Common wiring technician skills
  • Hand Tools, 25%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Control Panels, 5%
  • Fiber Optic, 5%
  • Electrical Components, 5%
  • Wire Harnesses, 4%

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