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Electrical helper vs master electrician

The differences between electrical helpers and master electricians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an electrical helper and a master electrician. Additionally, a master electrician has an average salary of $52,154, which is higher than the $31,465 average annual salary of an electrical helper.

The top three skills for an electrical helper include hand tools, ladders and EMT. The most important skills for a master electrician are electrical equipment, electrical systems, and switches.

Electrical helper vs master electrician overview

Electrical HelperMaster Electrician
Yearly salary$31,465$52,154
Hourly rate$15.13$25.07
Growth rate4%7%
Number of jobs47,28326,377
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age3442
Years of experience1212

What does an electrical helper do?

An Electrical Helper is responsible for assisting head electricians in conducting electrical repairs and installments for private households or commercial establishments. Electrical Helpers operate various electrical tools and equipment, requiring them to inspect the materials before and after every use to avoid potential hazards and operational failures. They also support the senior electricians in performing troubleshooting procedures, component replacements, and upgrading systems for optimization. An Electrical Helper must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills, especially in fixing broken cables and strictly following safety protocols and regulations.

What does a master electrician do?

A Master Electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in private homes or commercial properties. They also supervise the work performed by journeymen, ensure proper staffing, and monitor the quality, as well as prepare and submit work documentation.

Electrical helper vs master electrician salary

Electrical helpers and master electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electrical HelperMaster Electrician
Average salary$31,465$52,154
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $36,000Between $31,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityBuffalo, NYMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateMaineVermont
Best paying companyXcel EnergyAllegro MicroSystems
Best paying industryConstructionEnergy

Differences between electrical helper and master electrician education

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

Electrical HelperMaster Electrician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Electrical helper vs master electrician demographics

Here are the differences between electrical helpers' and master electricians' demographics:

Electrical HelperMaster Electrician
Average age3442
Gender ratioMale, 91.6% Female, 8.4%Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.3% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage2%3%

Differences between electrical helper and master electrician duties and responsibilities

Electrical helper example responsibilities.

  • Set and wire PDU's and PLC's.
  • Set and terminate PDU's and PLC's.
  • Lay out ac and dc cable in the trenches.
  • Run MC wire and strap accordingly.
  • Maintain ac units and clean outside units and coils.
  • Make up junction boxes, make taps, terminate wires.
  • Show more

Master electrician example responsibilities.

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Experience with PLC (e.g., industrial maintenance, computer control systems, etc .).
  • Experience in installing and maintaining motors, welding equipment, lighting fixtures, generators, circuit breakers, and transformers.
  • Snake wires through PVC, conduits, walls.
  • Work under company safety policies and maintain OSHA safe facilities.
  • Repair failures of substation breakers, transformers, and other equipment.
  • Show more

Electrical helper vs master electrician skills

Common electrical helper skills
  • Hand Tools, 21%
  • Ladders, 14%
  • EMT, 13%
  • Assist Electricians, 10%
  • RUN Conduit, 8%
  • OSHA, 5%
Common master electrician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 8%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Transformers, 5%
  • NEC, 5%

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