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.
Electrical helper responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real electrical helper resumes:
- 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.
- Install raceways, cables and wiring to meet NEC requirements.
- Work as driver for boss to various dig and demolish sites.
- Lot of dirt work operating ditch witch packer and putting in PVC pipe.
- Learned how to install HVAC systems and diagnose most issues with HVAC systems.
- Assist mechanic in installing garage doors, troubleshoot problems that customers may have.
- Aid in shop remodel, including demo work and steel booth design and fabrication.
- Mount and install electrical motors, run flex conduit from connector to EMT conduit to switch control buttons.
- Install conduit: familiar with various materials including wire mold, EMT, greenfield, and galvanize pipe.
- Work on power cables, transformers, insulators, and/or control equipment such as switches, circuit breakers, and panels.
Electrical helper skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Electrical Helpers are proficient in Hand Tools, Ladders, and EMT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Physical strength, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Electrical Helpers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 21%
Measured and cuts bend wire and pipe conduit to specified length, using measuring instruments, hand tools and hacksaws.
- Ladders, 14%
Mounted Electrical panels and light fixtures in offices and buildings Using extremely tall ladders and high rise mobile sky lifts.
- EMT, 13%
Installed conduit: familiar with various materials including wire mold, EMT, greenfield, and galvanized pipe.
- Assist Electricians, 10%
Job Responsibilities - Assist electricians particularly for installation, repairs and costing of electric operations.
- RUN Conduit, 8%
Run conduit Wire Electrical Instruments Review electrical blueprints Troubleshoot Electrical Components
- OSHA, 5%
Followed OSHA rules and safety regulations
Most electrical helpers use their skills in "hand tools," "ladders," and "emt" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential electrical helper responsibilities here:
Color vision. The most essential soft skill for an electrical helper to carry out their responsibilities is color vision. This skill is important for the role because "construction laborers and helpers may need to be able to distinguish colors to do their job." Additionally, an electrical helper resume shows how their duties depend on color vision: "worked under supervision of a foreman in the maintenance and repair of electrical systems and equipment in commercial and residential areas. "
Physical strength. Another essential skill to perform electrical helper duties is physical strength. Electrical helpers responsibilities require that "construction laborers and helpers must often lift heavy materials or equipment." Electrical helpers also use physical strength in their role according to a real resume snippet: "performed physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches to lay conduit or pvc, and moving and lifting heavy objects. "
Math skills. electrical helpers are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to electrical helper responsibilities, because "construction laborers and some helpers need to perform basic math calculations while measuring on jobsites or assisting a surveying crew." An electrical helper resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "learned theory, mathematics, and how to read blue prints and schematics, state and local electrical codes. "
Mechanical skills. electrical helper responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "construction laborers are frequently required to operate and maintain equipment, such as jackhammers." This resume example shows what electrical helpers do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "fabricated both electrical and mechanical devices pre-tested high-bay lights wire electrical panels built simulated cell towers"
The three companies that hire the most electrical helpers are:
- Mortenson12 electrical helpers jobs
- Aerotek6 electrical helpers jobs
- TEKsystems6 electrical helpers jobs
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Electrical helper vs. Journeyman
A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an electrical helper are more likely to require skills like "ladders," "assist electricians," "run conduit," and "switches." On the other hand, a job as a journeyman requires skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "safety procedures," and "plumbing." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Journeymen tend to make the most money working in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $62,379. In contrast, electrical helpers make the biggest average salary, $32,324, in the construction industry.On average, journeymen reach similar levels of education than electrical helpers. Journeymen are 1.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Electrical helper vs. Journeyman ironworker
Plumbers specialize in assembling, detecting issues, maintaining, and repairing pipes and systems that can either involve water or gas distribution in a home or establishment, ensuring that they function efficiently. Additionally, Plumbers can also install various materials such as kitchen or bathroom sinks, toilets, appliances, and more. Among the tasks may revolve around training other plumbers or coordinating with other workers involved on a project, clearing obstructions and handling waste disposal, informing clients about the costs and process of repairs, and building rapport with them.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, electrical helper responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "ladders," "emt," and "assist electricians." Meanwhile, a journeyman ironworker has duties that require skills in areas such as "cranes," "bars," "hoisting," and "rebar." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Journeyman ironworkers tend to reach similar levels of education than electrical helpers. In fact, they're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrical helper vs. Plumber
A pipefitter specializes in pipe systems. They are mostly responsible for cutting, assembling, installing, and maintaining the pipes' condition within homes or establishments. There are also instances when a pipe fitter has to visit sites, investigate problems, and conduct tests and repairs when necessary. Most pipefitters work in a group setting and are required to communicate and coordinate with co-workers, all while adhering to a company's standards and safety policies.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an electrical helper is likely to be skilled in "emt," "assist electricians," "run conduit," and "switches," while a typical plumber is skilled in "plumbing," "plumbers," "customer service," and "cast iron."
Plumbers earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $58,436. Electrical helpers earn the highest pay from the construction industry, with an average salary of $32,324.When it comes to education, plumbers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to electrical helpers. In fact, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Electrical helper vs. Pipe fitter
Types of electrical helper
Updated January 8, 2025











