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The differences between electricians and electrical apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an electrician, becoming an electrical apprentice takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, an electrician has an average salary of $48,850, which is higher than the $37,081 average annual salary of an electrical apprentice.
The top three skills for an electrician include hand tools, electrical equipment and run conduit. The most important skills for an electrical apprentice are run conduit, hand tools, and electrical systems.
| Electrician | Electrical Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $48,850 | $37,081 |
| Hourly rate | $23.49 | $17.83 |
| Growth rate | 7% | - |
| Number of jobs | 17,245 | 39,967 |
| Job satisfaction | 3.86 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Average age | 42 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 10 |
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.
Sometimes called electrician apprentices, electrical apprentices assist the electricians in maintaining, repairing, and operating the electrical systems. Typically, they work in huge construction sites and facilities on their power distribution, lighting systems, and cables. These apprentices assist electricians in the installation of electrical systems. They have to be equipped with skills and knowledge in electrical equipment, installation, and safety regulations. It is also expected from them to become motivated team players and be well-organized.
Electricians and electrical apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrician | Electrical Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $48,850 | $37,081 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $73,000 | Between $27,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | PBF Energy | Mortenson |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Construction |
There are a few differences between an electrician and an electrical apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Electrician | Electrical Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between electricians' and electrical apprentices' demographics:
| Electrician | Electrical Apprentice | |
| Average age | 42 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 8% |