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Electrical Apprentice Vs Lead Electrician

The differences between electrical apprentices and lead electricians 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 a lead electrician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a lead electrician has an average salary of $56,709, 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 a lead electrician are electrical equipment, hand tools, and electrical systems.

Electrical apprentice vs lead electrician overview

Electrical ApprenticeLead Electrician
Yearly Salary$37,081$56,709
Hourly rate$17.83$27.26
Growth Rate-7%
Number Of Jobs39,96718,158
Job Satisfaction--
Most Common DegreeHigh School Diploma, 45%Associate Degree, 33%
Average Age5042
Years Of Experience1012

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 a lead electrician do?

A Lead Electrician is the one who does the maintenance, inspection, and repair, and installation of needed equipment and other electric-related things. They are the one who supervises and monitors the job of the Electrician, plans and takes action to every happening and problem that they can encounter. They also do the planning of schedule and the process of conducting an equipment check-up and maintenance. Also, they need to be knowledgeable when it comes to repairing and installing needed material and equipment.

Electrical apprentice vs lead electrician salary

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

Electrical ApprenticeLead Electrician
Average Salary$37,081$56,709
Salary RangeBetween $27,000 And $50,000Between $38,000 And $84,000
Highest Paying CitySpringfield, MABerkeley, CA
Highest Paying StateAlaskaVermont
Best Paying CompanyMortensonAmeresco
Best Paying IndustryConstructionEnergy

Differences between electrical apprentice and lead electrician education

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

Electrical ApprenticeLead Electrician
Most Common DegreeHigh School Diploma, 45%Associate Degree, 33%
Most Common MajorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most Common College--

Electrical apprentice vs lead electrician demographics

Here are the differences between electrical apprentices' and lead electricians' demographics:

Electrical ApprenticeLead Electrician
Average Age5042
Gender RatioMale, 94.1% Female, 5.9%Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6%
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, 8.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.2% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%3%

Differences between electrical apprentice and lead electrician 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

Lead Electrician Example Responsibilities.

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Run all types of electrical conduit for switches, lights, fire alarms, telephone, receptacles and HVAC units.
  • Resolve plumbing and none electrical issues.
  • Repair low pressure steam boilers, HVAC systems, cooling towers, waters system, and sump pumps.
  • Calculate proper size and specifications of wire, conduit, motor controls, switches, panels, and fuses.
  • Oversee all operations of the HVAC department including installation, repair of all HVAC equipment at several island locations.
  • Show More

Electrical apprentice vs lead electrician skills

Common Electrical Apprentice Skills
  • RUN Conduit, 21%
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Receptacles, 6%
  • EMT, 5%
Common Lead Electrician Skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • Ladders, 6%
  • EMT, 6%
  • PLC, 5%

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