What does an Electrical Technician do?
An electrical technician is responsible for managing the electrical systems of an establishment, ensuring the safety of the network and cables to support daily operations. Electrical technicians analyze schematics and specifications to construct electrical systems, run diagnostic tests, and perform repairs for any defects and inconsistencies. They assemble electrical equipment, replace malfunctioning components, upgrading systems, and advising management of high-quality electrical supplies. An electrical technician must have excellent knowledge of the electrical and mechanical industry, especially with supervising electricians on their duties, as well as responding to the clients' inquiries and concerns.
Electrical technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real electrical technician resumes:
- Test printed circuit boards to comply with military, ISO, and customer specifications.
- Inspect, test and troubleshoot a variety of PLC and microprocessor control high voltage transformer systems.
- Work in accordance with OSHA safety regulation, NEC, ANSI, ISO9001 compliance and with company safety policies.
- Work with proximity sensors, ac & dc motors, VFDs, and controls on a daily basis here.
- Install EMT risers in new buildings for communications.
- Work on equipment using CNET, DNET, and Ethernet.
- Experience in HVAC, welding, fabrication, and light machining.
- Experience in creating and maintaining I/O databases for entire plant system.
- Control instruments using LabVIEW to collect data and control small fixture.
- Spearhead the development and implantation for the DC cable and battery setup.
- Modify and install programs of all types of Siemens and Allen-Bradley PLCs.
- Install commissioning and start-up of 4.16Kv switch gear and 480v motor control center.
- Remove, troubleshoot, repair and install automate systems controls used to pilot the aircraft.
- Crawl into tight spaces, onto ladders, and other electrical items attach to system and install properly.
- Have excellent ability to work from ladders and scaffolds, in attics, or in tunnels and crawl spaces.
Electrical technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Electrical Technicians are proficient in Hand Tools, PLC, and Electrical Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Math skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Electrical Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 7%
Operate power/pneumatic hand tools safely while efficiently preparing assemblies.
- PLC, 7%
Designed and supervised the installation of three PLC systems for research processing equipment meeting equipment specifications not available commercially.
- Electrical Equipment, 7%
Install, terminate, calibrate and test electrical equipment and instrumentation associated with deep water tension leg and semi-submersible platform construction.
- Electrical Systems, 6%
Developed skills in designing electrical diagrams and layouts for electrical systems and applications related to commercial and residential systems.
- Electrical Schematics, 4%
Ensured proper quality control was followed to reach customer and company design specifications contained in electrical schematics and vessel drawings.
- Control Systems, 4%
Install and terminate high and low electrical voltage circuitry for robotic armatures/Programmable Logic Control systems, electrical circuitry on assembly lines.
Common skills that an electrical technician uses to do their job include "hand tools," "plc," and "electrical equipment." You can find details on the most important electrical technician responsibilities below.
Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling electrical technician duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks." According to an electrical technician resume, here's how electrical technicians can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "applied principals and theories of electronics, electrical circuitry, engineering mathematics, electronic and electrical testing"
Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for electrical technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how electrical technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "electronic engineering technologists and technicians must use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to build components by hand." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an electrical technician: "utilized autocad lite to produce two dimensional mechanical drawings to assist in prototyping and production. ".
Writing skills. A big part of what electrical technicians do relies on "writing skills." You can see how essential it is to electrical technician responsibilities because "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians write reports about onsite construction, design problems, or testing results." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical electrical technician tasks: "experience writing plc programs for manufacturing engineers involving machine process changes and improvements. "
Detail oriented. Lastly, "detail oriented" is an important element of what an electrical technician does. Electrical technician responsibilities require this skill because "electrical engineering technologists and technicians must pay attention to detail when assembling, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic and electrical mechanical systems." This resume example highlights how electrical technician duties rely on this skill: "diagnosed and repaired electrical issues pertaining to products while working in a team oriented environment. "
The three companies that hire the most electrical technicians are:
- Aerotek18 electrical technicians jobs
- Michael & Son Services16 electrical technicians jobs
- Anheuser-Busch10 electrical technicians jobs
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Compare different electrical technicians
Electrical technician 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an electrical technician are more likely to require skills like "transformers," "preventive maintenance," "customer service," and "mechanical systems." On the other hand, a job as a maintenance electrician requires skills like "preventative maintenance," "hvac," "cranes," and "general maintenance." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Maintenance electricians earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $70,114. On the other hand, electrical technicians are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $57,789.The education levels that maintenance electricians earn slightly differ from electrical technicians. In particular, maintenance electricians are 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an electrical technician. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrical technician vs. Industrial electrician
An Industrial Electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in industrial facilities. They are usually part of a construction team to put in and check new equipment and systems.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, electrical technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "electrical systems," "control systems," "customer service," and "mechanical equipment." Meanwhile, an industrial electrician has duties that require skills in areas such as "allen-bradley," "work ethic," "programmable logic controllers," and "strong work ethic." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Industrial electricians may earn a higher salary than electrical technicians, but industrial electricians earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $69,749. On the other hand, electrical technicians receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $57,789.industrial electricians earn similar levels of education than electrical technicians in general. They're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrical technician vs. Electrical engineer internship
The electrical engineer internship offers tasks to undergraduate engineering students related to electrical systems analysis and branch circuiting, site investigations, lighting calculations, and design drawings by complementing theoretical knowledge with practical duties on the job to gain experience and increase marketability. Through the internship, the undergraduate engineering students may develop professional aptitude, strengthen their character, and may increase their confidence in their work as it prepares them for what to expect in their field.
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 technician resumes include skills like "hand tools," "transformers," "ladders," and "switches," whereas an electrical engineer internship is more likely to list skills in "c++," "c #," "analog," and "revit. "
Electrical engineer interns earn the highest salary when working in the hospitality industry, where they receive an average salary of $66,132. Comparatively, electrical technicians have the highest earning potential in the energy industry, with an average salary of $57,789.When it comes to education, electrical engineer interns tend to earn higher degree levels compared to electrical technicians. In fact, they're 7.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Electrical technician vs. Master electrician
A Master Electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in private homes or commercial properties. They also supervise the work performed by journeymen, ensure proper staffing, and monitor the quality, as well as prepare and submit work documentation.
Types of electrical technician
Updated January 8, 2025
