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Electrical journeyman vs electrical apprentice

The differences between electrical journeymen and electrical apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an electrical journeyman, becoming an electrical apprentice takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, an electrical journeyman has an average salary of $61,940, which is higher than the $37,081 average annual salary of an electrical apprentice.

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

Electrical journeyman vs electrical apprentice overview

Electrical JourneymanElectrical Apprentice
Yearly salary$61,940$37,081
Hourly rate$29.78$17.83
Growth rate7%-
Number of jobs39,89839,967
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 41%High School Diploma, 45%
Average age4250
Years of experience1210

What does an electrical journeyman do?

Electrical journeymen have the primary responsibility of installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical equipment. They provide their services directly to customers, explaining the extent of the equipment damage and explaining the equipment's proper usage and correct cleaning. They can also train an apprentice who aspires to be a future electrician too. A journeyman may monitor supply count, record inventories, order missing, essential supplies, and make sure the supply is safe to use.

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.

Electrical journeyman vs electrical apprentice salary

Electrical journeymen and electrical apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electrical JourneymanElectrical Apprentice
Average salary$61,940$37,081
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $87,000Between $27,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityBellingham, WASpringfield, MA
Highest paying stateWashingtonAlaska
Best paying companyConstellation Energy PartnersMortenson
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between electrical journeyman and electrical apprentice education

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

Electrical JourneymanElectrical Apprentice
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 41%High School Diploma, 45%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Electrical journeyman vs electrical apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between electrical journeymen' and electrical apprentices' demographics:

Electrical JourneymanElectrical Apprentice
Average age4250
Gender ratioMale, 96.2% Female, 3.8%Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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%
LGBT Percentage3%8%

Differences between electrical journeyman and electrical apprentice duties and responsibilities

Electrical journeyman example responsibilities.

  • Trouble shoot, diagnose and repair GE statax 3 dc and Siemens ac drive systems.
  • Can run PVC conduit as well as Os-Cal (rubber-coat) for wet installations.
  • Perform some maintenance, tuning, and calibrations on transmitters, control loops, and control valves.
  • Identify leaking hose on hydraulic test stand, avoid $20K EPA fine and secure readiness w/ repair.
  • Work include variable frequency drives, motor starters, controls cabinets, PLC terminations, control consoles and control panels.
  • Perform quality control inspections on contract commercial travel agencies, ensuring contractors stay in compliance of all DOD travel regulations.
  • Show more

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

Electrical journeyman vs electrical apprentice skills

Common electrical journeyman skills
  • Switches, 16%
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • EMT, 9%
  • Circuit Breakers, 6%
  • Electrical Equipment, 4%
  • NEC, 4%
Common electrical apprentice skills
  • RUN Conduit, 21%
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Receptacles, 6%
  • EMT, 5%

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