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Electrical contractor vs apprentice electrician

The differences between electrical contractors and apprentices electrician 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 contractor, becoming an apprentice electrician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an electrical contractor has an average salary of $66,405, which is higher than the $38,799 average annual salary of an apprentice electrician.

The top three skills for an electrical contractor include electrical conduit, electrical systems and transformers. The most important skills for an apprentice electrician are hand tools, run conduit, and EMT.

Electrical contractor vs apprentice electrician overview

Electrical ContractorApprentice Electrician
Yearly salary$66,405$38,799
Hourly rate$31.93$18.65
Growth rate-7%
Number of jobs46,43721,335
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age5042
Years of experience1012

Electrical contractor vs apprentice electrician salary

Electrical contractors and apprentices electrician have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electrical ContractorApprentice Electrician
Average salary$66,405$38,799
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $92,000Between $28,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City-Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Dell
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between electrical contractor and apprentice electrician education

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

Electrical ContractorApprentice Electrician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Electrical contractor vs apprentice electrician demographics

Here are the differences between electrical contractors' and apprentices electrician' demographics:

Electrical ContractorApprentice Electrician
Average age5042
Gender ratioMale, 90.7% Female, 9.3%Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7%
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, 6.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%3%

Differences between electrical contractor and apprentice electrician duties and responsibilities

Electrical contractor example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate different activity PMs and corrective work orders for HVAC and refrigeration group.
  • Wire transformers boxes, GFI's, internal and external lighting and emergency fire alarms.
  • Install and repair electrical wiring and HVAC systems in new and existing residential homes and commercial businesses.
  • Supply parts, tools, and labor for the job and ensure adherence with the NEC codes and requirements.
  • Commercial/Residential-Pul MC cable, run EMT/PVC, install fixtures/devices
  • Maintain dc and ac drives and induction heating equipment and furnaces.
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Apprentice electrician example responsibilities.

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Experience with underground installations and installing PVC, EMT, MC, wire pulling, trimming, device and panel makeup.
  • Pull cables on main tray from PLC to junction boxes, including motor control center to motors and on/off switches.
  • Perform grind up industrial electrical construction, running above grind EMT and rigid conduit, underground PVC conduit and pulling wire.
  • Copper & brass fitting & brazing.
  • Weather seal and caulking, around glass panes interior and exterior of buildings.
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Electrical contractor vs apprentice electrician skills

Common electrical contractor skills
  • Electrical Conduit, 12%
  • Electrical Systems, 6%
  • Transformers, 6%
  • Safety Codes, 5%
  • General Contractors, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%
Common apprentice electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 13%
  • RUN Conduit, 12%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Electrical Components, 5%

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