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.
Electrician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real electrician resumes:
- 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
- Work on ac dc equipment.
- Inspect and repair elevators, hoists, and cranes.
- Start working with all types of transmitters and calibrations.
- Assist in the hoisting of equipment and tools into location.
- Install and troubleshoot CNC machines used in the plastic industry.
- Install electrical rough-in and trim on new residential and commercial projects.
- Strip insulation from wire ends to make taps with terminals and wire nuts.
- Service electrical aspects of pumps, motors, cranes and hydraulic/pneumatic systems as needed.
- Rebuild LeTourneau jacking system, gearboxes, climbing pinions, bull gears and red gears.
Electrician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Electricians are proficient in Hand Tools, Electrical Equipment, and RUN Conduit. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Communication skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Electricians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 9%
Operated power hand tools and other specialized electrical equipment; Installed, repairs and services specialized electrical equipment and machinery.
- Electrical Equipment, 9%
Performed installation/troubleshooting/repair/removal of contracted customer's oilfield electrical equipment.
- RUN Conduit, 6%
Run conduit pipe, pull in new wires following wiring diagram, terminate wires setup fuse panels relays MMC panels breakers disconnects
- Transformers, 6%
Terminated wires to circuit breakers, transformers and/or other components
- Ladders, 5%
Install light and emergency exit fixtures in small buildings and large warehouse using ladders, scaffolding, and personal lifts.
- Switches, 5%
Fabricated and installed control and distribution apparatus, including switches relays and circuit breaker panels.
Common skills that an electrician uses to do their job include "hand tools," "electrical equipment," and "run conduit." You can find details on the most important electrician responsibilities below.
Color vision. One of the key soft skills for an electrician to have is color vision. You can see how this relates to what electricians do because "electricians must identify electrical wires by color." Additionally, an electrician resume shows how electricians use color vision: "maintained hydraulics and pneumatics, high and low voltage components control panels under supervision of a chief and 2nd engineers. "
Physical strength. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of electricians is physical strength. This skill is critical to many everyday electrician duties, as "electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "repaired and maintained physical structures of industrial plants preventive maintenance of hvac equipment, boilers, chillers, roof top units. "
Troubleshooting skills. A big part of what electricians do relies on "troubleshooting skills." You can see how essential it is to electrician responsibilities because "electricians find, diagnose, and repair problems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical electrician tasks: "gained experience in the troubleshooting of field wiring, control panels, and instrumentation"
The three companies that hire the most electricians are:
- Tradesmen International329 electricians jobs
- West Fraser199 electricians jobs
- Frito-Lay92 electricians jobs
Compare different electricians
Electrician vs. Journeyman ironworker
A plumber helper is responsible for assisting the head plumber in installing plumbing systems, conducting preventive maintenance, and repairing broken components. Plumber helpers inspect and maintain the stability and condition of all the plumbing equipment to avoid potential hazards and ensure no delays in operations. They also adjust pipe systems, replace outdated gutters, and adhere to the highest safety standards and protocols during operations. A plumber helper must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills to perform services under minimal supervision and strict timetables.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an electrician are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "electrical equipment," "run conduit," and "transformers." On the other hand, a job as a journeyman ironworker requires skills like "cranes," "bars," "rebar," and "steel beams." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Journeyman ironworkers tend to reach similar levels of education than electricians. In fact, journeyman ironworkers are 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Electrician vs. Plumber helper
A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real electrician resumes. While electrician responsibilities can utilize skills like "electrical equipment," "run conduit," "transformers," and "switches," plumber helpers use skills like "plumbing," "cast iron," "pex," and "sewer lines."
On average, plumber helpers earn a lower salary than electricians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, plumber helpers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $44,138. Whereas electricians have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $55,371.In general, plumber helpers achieve similar levels of education than electricians. They're 1.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrician vs. Journeyman
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from electrician resumes include skills like "run conduit," "transformers," "ladders," and "switches," whereas a journeyman is more likely to list skills in "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "safety procedures," and "plumbing. "
Journeymen make a very good living in the construction industry with an average annual salary of $62,379. On the other hand, electricians are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $55,371.Most journeymen achieve a similar degree level compared to electricians. For example, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrician vs. Wireman
Types of electrician
Updated January 8, 2025
