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Journeyman electrician vs electrical contractor

The differences between journeyman electricians and electrical contractors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a journeyman electrician, becoming an electrical contractor takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, an electrical contractor has an average salary of $66,405, which is higher than the $54,526 average annual salary of a journeyman electrician.

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

Journeyman electrician vs electrical contractor overview

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Contractor
Yearly salary$54,526$66,405
Hourly rate$26.21$31.93
Growth rate7%-
Number of jobs18,41146,437
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age4250
Years of experience1210

Journeyman electrician vs electrical contractor salary

Journeyman electricians and electrical contractors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Contractor
Average salary$54,526$66,405
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $83,000Between $47,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WA-
Highest paying stateVermont-
Best paying companyMDU Resources-
Best paying industryConstruction-

Differences between journeyman electrician and electrical contractor education

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

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Contractor
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Journeyman electrician vs electrical contractor demographics

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

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Contractor
Average age4250
Gender ratioMale, 96.1% Female, 3.9%Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage3%8%

Differences between journeyman electrician and electrical contractor duties and responsibilities

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

Electrical contractor example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate different activity PMs and corrective work orders for HVAC and refrigeration group.
  • Wire transformers boxes, GFI's, internal and external lighting and emergency fire alarms.
  • Install and repair electrical wiring and HVAC systems in new and existing residential homes and commercial businesses.
  • Supply parts, tools, and labor for the job and ensure adherence with the NEC codes and requirements.
  • Commercial/Residential-Pul MC cable, run EMT/PVC, install fixtures/devices
  • Maintain dc and ac drives and induction heating equipment and furnaces.
  • Show more

Journeyman electrician vs electrical contractor skills

Common journeyman electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Transformers, 7%
  • Electrical Components, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
Common electrical contractor skills
  • Electrical Conduit, 12%
  • Electrical Systems, 6%
  • Transformers, 6%
  • Safety Codes, 5%
  • General Contractors, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%

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