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What is an electrician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Ronald Widdoss
introduction image

An electrician is a skilled tradesperson who specializes in electrical wiring and systems. They are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical components in a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Electricians must be able to read blueprints and schematics, troubleshoot electrical problems, and adhere to safety regulations. They may work on anything from simple lighting installations to complex electrical systems for large buildings or machinery.

What general advice would you give to an Electrician?

Ronald Widdoss

Be a sponge. Learn all you can and prove to your employer you can be taught and that your up for the challenge.
ScoreElectricianUS Average
Salary
3.8

Avg. Salary $48,850

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.6

Growth Rate 7%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.86%

Asian 2.25%

Black or African American 8.54%

Hispanic or Latino 20.49%

Unknown 4.27%

White 63.59%

Gender

female 4.39%

male 95.61%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress Level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.8

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.5

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Electrician?

Pros

  • Good salary and benefits

  • Job security

  • High demand

  • Varied and interesting work

  • Potential for self-employment or entrepreneurship

Cons

  • Physical demands of the job can be strenuous

  • Risk of injury from electrical shocks, burns, falls, or other accidents

  • Working in confined spaces, at heights, or in uncomfortable positions

  • Exposure to hazardous materials and fumes

  • Long hours and irregular schedules, including on-call work

Electrician career paths

Key steps to become an electrician

  1. Explore electrician education requirements

    Most common electrician degrees

    High School Diploma

    32.2 %

    Associate

    29.9 %

    Bachelor's

    17.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific electrician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Hand Tools9.49%
    Electrical Equipment8.73%
    RUN Conduit5.95%
    Transformers5.84%
    Ladders5.21%
  3. Complete relevant electrician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 4-10 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New electricians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an electrician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real electrician resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming an licensed electrician usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed electrician in most of states. 25 states require electricians to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    StateEducationExamLicense Url
    Alabama-State exam requiredLicensed Journeyman Electrician
    Alaska-State exam requiredElectrical Worker
    Arkansas-Third-party exam requiredJourneyman Electrician
    Colorado-State exam requiredJourneyman Electrician
    HawaiiDegree requiredState exam requiredElectrician
  5. Gain additional electrician certifications

    Electrician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific electrician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for electricians include OSHA Safety Certificate and Electrical Technician Certification.

    More About Certifications
  6. Research electrician duties and responsibilities

    • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
    • Diagnose malfunctioning devices including transformers, motor starters, motors, PLC's, VFD's, and light fixtures.
    • Install and repair receptacles, lights, light switches, ac motors, and panel boards.
    • Work on the civil underground team work on all the underground for the ac to dc plant.
  7. Apply for electrician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an electrician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Electrician Job

Adebiyi Tolase

Electrician, A.T.H. Electrical Company

I became an electrician at age 20, I went for the vocational training for two years before I further my
study to obtained B.sc in Applied Physics and Electronics, I also went for various training in embedded
and automation system.Presently , I'm also undergoing training in CCTV and Satellite installation. I had
over seven years experiences in electrical work.

Average electrician salary

The average Electrician salary in the United States is $48,850 per year or $23 per hour. Electrician salaries range between $32,000 and $73,000 per year.

Average Electrician Salary
$48,850 Yearly
$23.49 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do electricians rate their job?

3.86/5

Based On 7 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Electrician reviews

profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Pros

Thinking about the job while working the job

Cons

Bending pipe,cause it cost me money if the measurements is off


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2022
Pros

Is to keep lights burning to satisfy customers

Cons

The customers siting on the dark


profile
1.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Pros

Nothing? Its the worst job on site and you have to put up with working with uneducated divs. And thats just the management.

Cons

Retarded trades who think they are special. They don't realise to be an electrician requires superior brain power, something they can only dream about. Hence the continual flapping of their gums trying to make us believe their dull useless lives are interesting.


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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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