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Electrician vs apprentice electrician

The differences between electricians and apprentices electrician can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an electrician and an apprentice electrician. Additionally, an electrician has an average salary of $48,850, which is higher than the $38,799 average annual salary of an apprentice electrician.

The top three skills for an electrician include hand tools, electrical equipment and run conduit. The most important skills for an apprentice electrician are hand tools, run conduit, and EMT.

Electrician vs apprentice electrician overview

ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Yearly salary$48,850$38,799
Hourly rate$23.49$18.65
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs17,24521,335
Job satisfaction3.86-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does an electrician do?

An electrician is a skilled tradesman in charge of wirings and systems which provide electric power to a facility. They are trained to design, install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical wiring systems. There are four basic types of an electrician - residential wiremen, inside wiremen, telecommunications electrician, and outside linemen. Some work on a standard 40-hour week shift while others are on-call duty. In some cases, traveling is also a vital key to their role where they would work for a few days before moving to another location.

What does an apprentice electrician do?

An Apprentice Electrician is responsible for conducting electrical repairs and faults under the supervision and guidelines of a Master Electrician. The duties of an Apprentice will vary while still under training; however, it will mostly revolve around assisting the Master Electrician or carrying out given tasks. Furthermore, an Apprentice Electrician may be responsible for clearing out sites, carrying or loading materials, procuring required supplies, understanding and interpreting various types of blueprints, handling wiring systems, and coordinating with multiple workers, even including the clients.

Electrician vs apprentice electrician salary

Electricians and apprentices electrician have different pay scales, as shown below.

ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Average salary$48,850$38,799
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $73,000Between $28,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaHawaii
Best paying companyPBF EnergyDell
Best paying industryAutomotiveConstruction

Differences between electrician and apprentice electrician education

There are a few differences between an electrician and an apprentice electrician in terms of educational background:

ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Electrician vs apprentice electrician demographics

Here are the differences between electricians' and apprentices electrician' demographics:

ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.6% Female, 4.4%Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between electrician and apprentice electrician duties and responsibilities

Electrician example 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.
  • Install all phases of electrical construction in according to the ADA, NEC, NFPA, as well as project specifications.
  • Terminate wires to circuit breakers, transformers and/or other components
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Apprentice electrician example responsibilities.

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Experience with underground installations and installing PVC, EMT, MC, wire pulling, trimming, device and panel makeup.
  • Pull cables on main tray from PLC to junction boxes, including motor control center to motors and on/off switches.
  • Perform grind up industrial electrical construction, running above grind EMT and rigid conduit, underground PVC conduit and pulling wire.
  • Copper & brass fitting & brazing.
  • Weather seal and caulking, around glass panes interior and exterior of buildings.
  • Show more

Electrician vs apprentice electrician skills

Common electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Electrical Equipment, 9%
  • RUN Conduit, 6%
  • Transformers, 6%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Switches, 5%
Common apprentice electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 13%
  • RUN Conduit, 12%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Electrical Components, 5%

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