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Electrical journeyman vs electrical contractor

The differences between electrical journeymen and electrical contractors 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 contractor takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, an electrical contractor has an average salary of $66,405, which is higher than the $61,940 average annual salary of an electrical journeyman.

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

Electrical journeyman vs electrical contractor overview

Electrical JourneymanElectrical Contractor
Yearly salary$61,940$66,405
Hourly rate$29.78$31.93
Growth rate7%-
Number of jobs39,89846,437
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age4250
Years of experience1210

Electrical journeyman vs electrical contractor salary

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

Electrical JourneymanElectrical Contractor
Average salary$61,940$66,405
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $87,000Between $47,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CityBellingham, WA-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyConstellation Energy Partners-
Best paying industryConstruction-

Differences between electrical journeyman and electrical contractor education

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

Electrical JourneymanElectrical Contractor
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Electrical journeyman vs electrical contractor demographics

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

Electrical JourneymanElectrical Contractor
Average age4250
Gender ratioMale, 96.2% Female, 3.8%Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
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 contractor 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.
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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.
  • Show more

Electrical journeyman vs electrical contractor skills

Common electrical journeyman skills
  • Switches, 16%
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • EMT, 9%
  • Circuit Breakers, 6%
  • Electrical Equipment, 4%
  • NEC, 4%
Common electrical contractor skills
  • Electrical Conduit, 12%
  • Electrical Systems, 6%
  • Transformers, 6%
  • Safety Codes, 5%
  • General Contractors, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%

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