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Electrician vs journeyman electrician

The differences between electricians and journeyman electricians 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 a journeyman electrician. Additionally, a journeyman electrician has an average salary of $54,526, which is higher than the $48,850 average annual salary of an electrician.

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

Electrician vs journeyman electrician overview

ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Yearly salary$48,850$54,526
Hourly rate$23.49$26.21
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs17,24518,411
Job satisfaction3.86-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%High School Diploma, 34%
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 a journeyman electrician do?

A journeyman electrician is responsible for performing various electrical tasks such as installation, repair, and maintenance. They have the freedom to provide services as part of a company or as an independent worker. Unlike an apprentice, a journeyman can work without any supervision from a master electrician. Furthermore, a journeyman electrician also has the responsibility to discuss the extent of repairs and explain to clients how to take better care of their appliances and electrical systems. A journeyman will also obtain the necessary supplies for a task and even train apprentices.

Electrician vs journeyman electrician salary

Electricians and journeyman electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.

ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Average salary$48,850$54,526
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $73,000Between $35,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaVermont
Best paying companyPBF EnergyMDU Resources
Best paying industryAutomotiveConstruction

Differences between electrician and journeyman electrician education

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

ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Electrician vs journeyman electrician demographics

Here are the differences between electricians' and journeyman electricians' demographics:

ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.6% Female, 4.4%Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%
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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between electrician and journeyman 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
  • Show more

Journeyman electrician example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to retrofit outdate piece of CNC machinery to allow usage for production personnel on a new design part.
  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Rewire, install and perform preventative maintenance on electrical panels, switches and distribution systems.
  • Work on various PLC's, Allen-Bradley, GE, Omron, and Siemens.
  • Install electrical construction with in mall buildings, wiring lighting, bending EMT conduit, pulling wiring for new circuits.
  • Measure, cut, bend, thread, assemble and install electrical conduit, including EMT, rigid and PVC pipe.
  • Show more

Electrician vs journeyman electrician skills

Common electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Electrical Equipment, 9%
  • RUN Conduit, 6%
  • Transformers, 6%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Switches, 5%
Common journeyman electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Transformers, 7%
  • Electrical Components, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%

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