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Electrical specialist vs electrical supervisor

The differences between electrical specialists and electrical supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become an electrical specialist, becoming an electrical supervisor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an electrical supervisor has an average salary of $90,972, which is higher than the $75,131 average annual salary of an electrical specialist.

The top three skills for an electrical specialist include electrical equipment, PLC and electrical systems. The most important skills for an electrical supervisor are electrical systems, PLC, and electrical equipment.

Electrical specialist vs electrical supervisor overview

Electrical SpecialistElectrical Supervisor
Yearly salary$75,131$90,972
Hourly rate$36.12$43.74
Growth rate--
Number of jobs25,94833,839
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age5049
Years of experience104

What does an electrical specialist do?

Electrical specialists use tools and construction documents to install spaces and pathways for installing low voltage wiring. They test, terminate, and install fiber optic and wire cables using special tools and procedures. Besides maintaining, troubleshooting, testing, and installing cable systems using special tools and construction documents, electrical specialists also use construction documents and unique blueprints to install data systems. Also, they install voice systems, video systems, sound distribution systems, and communication systems. Moreover, electrical specialists perform other assigned building maintenance tasks.

What does an electrical supervisor do?

The electrical supervisor oversees electricians' performance, training them for the repair and maintenance of equipment. They are responsible for enhancing their skills to create and design electrical operating systems in order to prevent malfunctions causing electric short circuits or shock. They also initiate the monitoring of electrical equipment. They are to help electricians install electrical equipment in establishments and homes, following standard safety protocols imposed by the state. When a defect is observed, they can quickly troubleshoot and start repair.

Electrical specialist vs electrical supervisor salary

Electrical specialists and electrical supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electrical SpecialistElectrical Supervisor
Average salary$75,131$90,972
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $104,000Between $66,000 And $124,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNevada
Best paying companyOccidental PetroleumMicron Technology
Best paying industryRetailEnergy

Differences between electrical specialist and electrical supervisor education

There are a few differences between an electrical specialist and an electrical supervisor in terms of educational background:

Electrical SpecialistElectrical Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Electrical specialist vs electrical supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between electrical specialists' and electrical supervisors' demographics:

Electrical SpecialistElectrical Supervisor
Average age5049
Gender ratioMale, 91.2% Female, 8.8%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage8%4%

Differences between electrical specialist and electrical supervisor duties and responsibilities

Electrical specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage load/unload operations for rail base raw material (HDPE and PPE feedstock) delivery.
  • Climb ladders and utility poles.
  • Install control distribution apparatus, such as switches, relays and circuit breaker panels.
  • Assemble DC drives, electronic motion control finish product, wiring harnesses and cables.
  • License electrical contractor with extensive knowledge of electrical field work and NEC / NYS electric codes.
  • Mount motors, transformers, and lighting fixtures into position and complete circuits according to diagram specifications.
  • Show more

Electrical supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage electrical & technical crew, supervise ABB DCS & gauging system and entire maintenance department, as needed.
  • Design and implement layouts for electrical projects using ladders, aerial lifts and other equipment.
  • Start switchgear and circuit breaker maintenance and testing on schedule outages.
  • Diagnose problems with bad encoders and feedback equipment on CNC machines.
  • Repair and maintain motor switchgear, MCC's and various types of load centers.
  • Install all infrastructures for the HVAC system, pull cables and terminate control cabinets and relays.
  • Show more

Electrical specialist vs electrical supervisor skills

Common electrical specialist skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 10%
  • PLC, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 6%
  • Control Systems, 6%
  • Transformers, 5%
  • Ladders, 4%
Common electrical supervisor skills
  • Electrical Systems, 9%
  • PLC, 7%
  • Electrical Equipment, 6%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 6%
  • Control Systems, 5%
  • OSHA, 4%

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