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What does an electrical worker do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Electrical worker responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real electrical worker resumes:

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Trouble shooting circuits, bending and running conduit, EMT, rigid and PVC.
  • Construct safety provisions, including scaffolding, gang ladders, perimeter railings, fall protection, and temporary covers.
  • Installed/Maintain automatic transfer switches and stand by generators.
  • Assist journeymen electricians and HVAC personnel, estimate ordered all materials.
  • Perform operational checks on components of limit complexity such as heating elements and electrical rudder control switches.
  • Maintain major electrical systems including generators, transformers, switchboards, controllers and other key transmission equipment.
  • Arrange and install pipes and wire electrical systems according to blueprints for high rise condominiums.

Electrical worker skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Electrical Workers are proficient in Electrical Equipment, Hand Tools, and Electrical Systems. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Communication skills, and Physical strength.

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

  • Electrical Equipment, 12%

    Assisted with troubleshooting and did independently troubleshoot a variety of electrical equipment.

  • Hand Tools, 10%

    Construct foundation for machines, using hand tools, building materials, such as wood, cement, and steel.

  • Electrical Systems, 10%

    Led teams of electrical workers in maintenance and installation of residential and industrial electrical systems.

  • Engineering Drawings, 8%

    Read and interpreted blueprints, engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, specs, electrical schematics, building plans.

  • Switches, 8%

    Perform operational checks on components of limited complexity such as heating elements and electrical rudder control switches.

  • Local Codes, 7%

    Complied with all local codes, safety procedures, OSHA and job specs.

"electrical equipment," "hand tools," and "electrical systems" are among the most common skills that electrical workers use at work. You can find even more electrical worker responsibilities below, including:

Color vision. One of the key soft skills for an electrical worker to have is color vision. You can see how this relates to what electrical workers do because "electricians must identify electrical wires by color." Additionally, an electrical worker resume shows how electrical workers use color vision: "applied general knowledge of building specifications, nec, and existing electrical engineering criteria to identify necessary revisions. "

Physical strength. This is an important skill for electrical workers to perform their duties. For an example of how electrical worker responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an electrical worker: "provided industrial electrical maintenance, maintaining physical plant and equipment. ".

Troubleshooting skills. For certain electrical worker responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "troubleshooting skills." The day-to-day duties of an electrical worker rely on this skill, as "electricians find, diagnose, and repair problems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what electrical workers do: "delivered electrical construction and troubleshooting work with professional journeymen. "

Most common electrical worker skills

The three companies that hire the most electrical workers are:

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Compare different electrical workers

Electrical worker vs. Wireman

Wiring technicians install and conduct maintenance on wiring in electronic products. They are responsible for ensuring that machines are in working condition, and they continuously review products to ensure only good products are released to customers. They must have the ability to understand wiring schematics.

The annual salary of wiremen is $21,454 lower than the average salary of electrical workers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both electrical worker and wireman positions are skilled in electrical equipment, hand tools, and electrical systems.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an electrical worker are more likely to require skills like "engineering drawings," "local codes," "electrical circuits," and "lockout tagout." On the other hand, a job as a wireman requires skills like "work ethic," "electrical conduit," "transformers," and "safety standards." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

On average, wiremen reach similar levels of education than electrical workers. Wiremen are 1.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Electrical worker vs. Wiring 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.

A career as a wiring technician brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an electrical worker. In fact, wiring technicians salary is $15,125 lower than the salary of electrical workers per year.A few skills overlap for electrical workers and wiring technicians. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "hand tools," "electrical systems," and "engineering drawings. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that electrical worker responsibilities requires skills like "electrical equipment," "switches," "local codes," and "electrical circuits." But a wiring technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "safety procedures," "wire harnesses," "voip," and "schematic drawings."

Wiring technicians earn a lower average salary than electrical workers. But wiring technicians earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $42,662. Additionally, electrical workers earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $72,427 annually.In general, wiring technicians achieve similar levels of education than electrical workers. They're 0.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Electrical worker vs. Low voltage technician

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.

On average, low voltage technicians earn lower salaries than electrical workers, with a $13,656 difference per year.By looking over several electrical workers and low voltage technicians resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "hand tools," "electrical systems," and "switches." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an electrical worker is likely to be skilled in "electrical equipment," "engineering drawings," "local codes," and "electrical circuits," while a typical low voltage technician is skilled in "cctv," "patch panels," "structured cabling," and "cat6."

Low voltage technicians earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $46,465. Comparatively, electrical workers have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $72,427.When it comes to education, low voltage technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to electrical workers. In fact, they're 0.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Electrical worker vs. Commercial and industrial electrician

Commercial and industrial electricians tend to earn a lower pay than electrical workers by an average of $6,921 per year.According to resumes from electrical workers and commercial and industrial electricians, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "electrical equipment," "hand tools," and "electrical systems. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An electrical worker uses "engineering drawings," "local codes," "lockout tagout," and "emt." Commercial and industrial electricians are more likely to have duties that require skills in "run conduit," "work ethic," "osha," and "cable cutters. "commercial and industrial electricians enjoy the best pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $48,295. For comparison, electrical workers earn the highest salary in the government industry.commercial and industrial electricians reach similar levels of education compared to electrical workers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of electrical worker

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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