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The differences between electricians and electrician helpers 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 electrician helper. Additionally, an electrician has an average salary of $48,850, which is higher than the $36,733 average annual salary of an electrician helper.
The top three skills for an electrician include hand tools, electrical equipment and run conduit. The most important skills for an electrician helper are hand tools, run conduit, and receptacles.
| Electrician | Electrician Helper | |
| Yearly salary | $48,850 | $36,733 |
| Hourly rate | $23.49 | $17.66 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 17,245 | 27,886 |
| Job satisfaction | 3.86 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
An electrician helper is responsible for performing electrical maintenance duties under the supervision of a senior electrician. Electrician helpers conduct electrical and system installations, following protocols for the safeness of the process and components. They also inspect electrical tools and equipment before use, request supplies, and ensure the adequacy of materials during electrical operations. An electrician helper must have comprehensive knowledge of the electrical industry, be a fast learner, and have excellent time-management skills, especially when following instructions from the senior electrician on making the project successful.
Electricians and electrician helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrician | Electrician Helper | |
| Average salary | $48,850 | $36,733 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $73,000 | Between $28,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Vermont |
| Best paying company | PBF Energy | Exelon |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Construction |
There are a few differences between an electrician and an electrician helper in terms of educational background:
| Electrician | Electrician Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between electricians' and electrician helpers' demographics:
| Electrician | Electrician Helper | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% |
| 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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |