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Control electrician vs apprentice

The differences between control electricians and apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a control electrician and an apprentice. Additionally, a control electrician has an average salary of $59,247, which is higher than the $37,107 average annual salary of an apprentice.

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

Control electrician vs apprentice overview

Control ElectricianApprentice
Yearly salary$59,247$37,107
Hourly rate$28.48$17.84
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs46,94913,014
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a control electrician do?

A control electrician primarily installs, repairs, and maintains electrical equipment, fixtures, and wiring. Control electricians maintain serviced and programmed PLC machine and lighting systems. Their tasks may include installing or servicing intercom systems, electrical control systems, or street lights. They make sure that their work complies with the significant codes. Part of their job is to operate power hand tools as well as other electrical equipment. Also, they may work on the external and internal electrical systems including circuit breaker panels and emergency generator circuits.

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.

Control electrician vs apprentice salary

Control electricians and apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Control ElectricianApprentice
Average salary$59,247$37,107
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $81,000Between $26,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City-Worcester, MA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Mid-South Management
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between control electrician and apprentice education

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

Control ElectricianApprentice
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Control electrician vs apprentice demographics

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

Control ElectricianApprentice
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 97.3% Female, 2.7%Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between control electrician and apprentice duties and responsibilities

Control electrician example responsibilities.

  • Install electrical conduit (e.g., rigid and EMT piping) and commercial HVAC systems.
  • Inspect, diagnose and repair substations and motor control centers, Allen-Bradley PLC's and ac/dc drives.
  • Bend and install EMT, rigid, PVC, boxes, cabinets, and gutters.
  • Pull wire, hang cable tray, runconduit (robroy, rigid, emt).
  • Develop HMI applications using Wonderware Intouch.
  • Design motor controls to NEC code.
  • Show more

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

Control electrician vs apprentice skills

Common control electrician skills
  • PLC, 14%
  • Electrical Equipment, 11%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Ac Dc, 5%
  • Control Panels, 5%
  • Delta, 5%
Common apprentice skills
  • PET, 43%
  • Customer Service, 28%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Apprenticeship, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 3%
  • CPR, 1%

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