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What does an electrical journeyman do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

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.

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Electrical journeyman responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real electrical journeyman resumes:

  • 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.
  • Experience operating firefighting tools and equipment, extinguishing fires, rescuing personnel, and performing emergency medical care and CPR.
  • Perform the electrical installation of food processing equipment, installation of MCC's and PLC's, plus commissioning of equipment.
  • Coordinate with other trades about proper building code installation as it pertains to plumbing, HVAC, carpentry and sheet rocking.
  • Cut, thread and hammer pipe to specifications using tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders and benders.
  • Measure pipe with precision, used torches to cut when necessary and grinders to bevels down the pipe to be weld.
  • Apply shingles to manufacture specification.
  • Interface electrical controls with HVAC and refrigeration equipment.
  • Repair, retrofit, and modification of manufacturing and production facilities.

Electrical journeyman skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Electrical Journeymen are proficient in Switches, Hand Tools, and EMT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Communication skills, and Troubleshooting skills.

We break down the percentage of Electrical Journeymen that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Switches, 16%

    Reviewed and advised on projects associated with electrical power generating and control systems, automatic transfer switches, and associated equipment.

  • Hand Tools, 14%

    Install conduit and supports, use of power tools and hand tools, use of aerial lift and scissor lift.

  • EMT, 9%

    Install conduit EMT and Rigid.

  • Circuit Breakers, 6%

    Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers or other components.

  • Electrical Equipment, 4%

    Performed numerous tasks as a commercial and industrial electrician including major renovations and installation of new electrical equipment and systems.

  • NEC, 4%

    Complied with the NEC, OSHA and EPA regulations and guidance, JSA, and all safety procedures.

"switches," "hand tools," and "emt" are among the most common skills that electrical journeymen use at work. You can find even more electrical journeyman responsibilities below, including:

Color vision. One of the key soft skills for an electrical journeyman to have is color vision. You can see how this relates to what electrical journeymen do because "electricians must identify electrical wires by color." Additionally, an electrical journeyman resume shows how electrical journeymen use color vision: "reported employee's work ethics and skills directly to supervision. "

Troubleshooting skills. electrical journeymen are also known for troubleshooting skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to electrical journeyman responsibilities, because "electricians find, diagnose, and repair problems." An electrical journeyman resume example shows how troubleshooting skills is used in the workplace: "performed electrical installations as a journey wireman such as troubleshooting, motor control and pipe installations. "

Physical strength. A big part of what electrical journeymen do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to electrical journeyman responsibilities because "electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical electrical journeyman tasks: "perform physically demanding tasks such as lifting heavy objects and work from ladders and scaffolds. "

All electrical journeyman skills

The three companies that hire the most electrical journeymans are:

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Compare different electrical journeymen

Electrical journeyman vs. Apprentice

An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures. An apprentice must be detail-oriented, fast-learner, and enthusiastic. An apprentice should also know how to accept constructive criticisms and feedback to improve performance and skill development.

If we compare the average electrical journeyman annual salary with that of an apprentice, we find that apprentices typically earn a $24,833 lower salary than electrical journeymen make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between electrical journeymen and apprentices are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like emt, electrical equipment, and nec.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, electrical journeyman responsibilities require skills like "switches," "hand tools," "circuit breakers," and "electrical components." Meanwhile a typical apprentice has skills in areas such as "pet," "customer service," "basic math," and "apprenticeship." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Apprentices really shine in the transportation industry with an average salary of $44,876. Comparatively, electrical journeymen tend to make the most money in the construction industry with an average salary of $64,110.The education levels that apprentices earn slightly differ from electrical journeymen. In particular, apprentices are 2.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an electrical journeyman. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Electrical journeyman vs. Low voltage technician

A low voltage technician is responsible for monitoring and installing low-voltage cables and systems for electronic equipment and communication devices. Low voltage technicians analyze blueprints and schematics to connect the cables safely and accurately. They also conduct repairs for defective components and faulty wirings, recommending solutions and low-cost materials with high quality according to the customers' needs and budget limitations. A low voltage technician must have excellent electrical and organizational skills, especially in performing duties with utmost adherence to safety guidelines and procedures to prevent hazards and operational delays.

Low voltage technician positions earn lower pay than electrical journeyman roles. They earn a $22,335 lower salary than electrical journeymen per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Electrical journeymen and low voltage technicians both require similar skills like "switches," "hand tools," and "fall protection" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that electrical journeyman responsibilities requires skills like "emt," "circuit breakers," "electrical equipment," and "nec." But a low voltage technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "cctv," "patch panels," "security systems," and "structured cabling."

Low voltage technicians earn a lower average salary than electrical journeymen. But low voltage technicians earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $46,465. Additionally, electrical journeymen earn the highest salaries in the construction with average pay of $64,110 annually.low voltage technicians earn similar levels of education than electrical journeymen in general. They're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Electrical journeyman vs. Commercial and industrial electrician

A commercial electrician is different from an industrial electrician since both perform in different environments and have distinct training. Commercial electricians are responsible for ensuring that the electrical components and wiring of the structure are working safely and efficiently. They commonly work on basic electrical installations and repairs of particular equipment. On the other hand, industrial electricians have more specialized and extensive education. Their duties require them to have an in-depth knowledge of their field since accuracy is very crucial in their line of work. They may operate issues relating to extraordinary high voltage systems and micro-control currents of electricity.

An average commercial and industrial electrician eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of electrical journeymen. The difference in salaries amounts to commercial and industrial electricians earning a $15,600 lower average salary than electrical journeymen.Using the responsibilities included on electrical journeymen and commercial and industrial electricians resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "switches," "hand tools," and "circuit breakers.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from electrical journeyman resumes include skills like "emt," "fall protection," "perform routine maintenance," and "technical publications," whereas a commercial and industrial electrician is more likely to list skills in "electrical systems," "run conduit," "osha," and "cable cutters. "

Commercial and industrial electricians make a very good living in the construction industry with an average annual salary of $48,295. On the other hand, electrical journeymen are paid the highest salary in the construction industry, with average annual pay of $64,110.commercial and industrial electricians typically earn similar educational levels compared to electrical journeymen. Specifically, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Electrical journeyman vs. Maintenance electrician

A maintenance electrician is responsible for monitoring the electrical systems of a building, inspecting the wiring and cables for any malfunctions, and perform preventive maintenance as needed to ensure its safety and efficiency. Maintenance electricians upgrade electrical network systems for optimal performance and replacing faulty wiring, as well as installing new equipment in the building as the management advises. They also analyze schematics and blueprints for electrical line placements and running diagnostic tests to identify possible defects for immediate resolution. A maintenance electrician must have excellent knowledge of the electrical industry, especially on recording maintenance reports and solutions.

Maintenance electricians average a higher salary than the annual salary of electrical journeymen. The difference is about $172 per year.While their salaries may vary, electrical journeymen and maintenance electricians both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "switches," "hand tools," and "emt. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An electrical journeyman uses "work ethic," "technical publications," "electrical distribution systems," and "pvc." Maintenance electricians are more likely to have duties that require skills in "electrical systems," "production equipment," "industrial maintenance," and "hvac. "The automotive industry tends to pay the highest salaries for maintenance electricians, with average annual pay of $70,114. Comparatively, the highest electrical journeyman annual salary comes from the construction industry.maintenance electricians reach similar levels of education compared to electrical journeymen, in general. The difference is that they're 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of electrical journeyman

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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