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Electrical apprentice vs electrical supervisor

The differences between electrical apprentices and electrical supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become an electrical apprentice, becoming an electrical supervisor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an electrical supervisor has an average salary of $90,972, which is higher than the $37,081 average annual salary of an electrical apprentice.

The top three skills for an electrical apprentice include run conduit, hand tools and electrical systems. The most important skills for an electrical supervisor are electrical systems, PLC, and electrical equipment.

Electrical apprentice vs electrical supervisor overview

Electrical ApprenticeElectrical Supervisor
Yearly salary$37,081$90,972
Hourly rate$17.83$43.74
Growth rate--
Number of jobs39,96733,839
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age5049
Years of experience104

What does an electrical apprentice do?

Sometimes called electrician apprentices, electrical apprentices assist the electricians in maintaining, repairing, and operating the electrical systems. Typically, they work in huge construction sites and facilities on their power distribution, lighting systems, and cables. These apprentices assist electricians in the installation of electrical systems. They have to be equipped with skills and knowledge in electrical equipment, installation, and safety regulations. It is also expected from them to become motivated team players and be well-organized.

What does an electrical supervisor do?

The electrical supervisor oversees electricians' performance, training them for the repair and maintenance of equipment. They are responsible for enhancing their skills to create and design electrical operating systems in order to prevent malfunctions causing electric short circuits or shock. They also initiate the monitoring of electrical equipment. They are to help electricians install electrical equipment in establishments and homes, following standard safety protocols imposed by the state. When a defect is observed, they can quickly troubleshoot and start repair.

Electrical apprentice vs electrical supervisor salary

Electrical apprentices and electrical supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electrical ApprenticeElectrical Supervisor
Average salary$37,081$90,972
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $50,000Between $66,000 And $124,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, MAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateAlaskaNevada
Best paying companyMortensonMicron Technology
Best paying industryConstructionEnergy

Differences between electrical apprentice and electrical supervisor education

There are a few differences between an electrical apprentice and an electrical supervisor in terms of educational background:

Electrical ApprenticeElectrical Supervisor
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering
Most common college-Stanford University

Electrical apprentice vs electrical supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between electrical apprentices' and electrical supervisors' demographics:

Electrical ApprenticeElectrical Supervisor
Average age5049
Gender ratioMale, 94.1% Female, 5.9%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage8%4%

Differences between electrical apprentice and electrical supervisor duties and responsibilities

Electrical apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Assure all work perform meets with all NEC, federal, state, county, local codes and contract documents.
  • Install the following: MC, EMT, lights, outlets, circuit breaker panels, transformers, smart relay panels.
  • Install electric parts in ambulances.
  • Install and run electrical wiring.
  • Work with all electrical and hardware within ambulances.
  • Show more

Electrical supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage electrical & technical crew, supervise ABB DCS & gauging system and entire maintenance department, as needed.
  • Design and implement layouts for electrical projects using ladders, aerial lifts and other equipment.
  • Start switchgear and circuit breaker maintenance and testing on schedule outages.
  • Diagnose problems with bad encoders and feedback equipment on CNC machines.
  • Repair and maintain motor switchgear, MCC's and various types of load centers.
  • Install all infrastructures for the HVAC system, pull cables and terminate control cabinets and relays.
  • Show more

Electrical apprentice vs electrical supervisor skills

Common electrical apprentice skills
  • RUN Conduit, 21%
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Receptacles, 6%
  • EMT, 5%
Common electrical supervisor skills
  • Electrical Systems, 9%
  • PLC, 7%
  • Electrical Equipment, 6%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 6%
  • Control Systems, 5%
  • OSHA, 4%

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