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The differences between electrical contractors 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 contractor, becoming a lead electrician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an electrical contractor has an average salary of $66,405, which is higher than the $56,709 average annual salary of a lead electrician.
The top three skills for an electrical contractor include electrical conduit, electrical systems and transformers. The most important skills for a lead electrician are electrical equipment, hand tools, and electrical systems.
Electrical contractors and lead electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Contractor | Lead Electrician | |
| Average salary | $66,405 | $56,709 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $92,000 | Between $38,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Vermont |
| Best paying company | - | Ameresco |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between an electrical contractor and a lead electrician in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Contractor | Lead Electrician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between electrical contractors' and lead electricians' demographics:
| Electrical Contractor | Lead Electrician | |
| Average age | 50 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% |
| Race ratio | Black 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 Percentage | 8% | 3% |