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Journeyman electrician vs electrical supervisor

The differences between journeyman electricians and electrical supervisors 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 supervisor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an electrical supervisor has an average salary of $90,972, 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 supervisor are electrical systems, PLC, and electrical equipment.

Journeyman electrician vs electrical supervisor overview

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Supervisor
Yearly salary$54,526$90,972
Hourly rate$26.21$43.74
Growth rate7%-
Number of jobs18,41133,839
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age4249
Years of experience124

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.

What does an electrical supervisor do?

The electrical supervisor oversees electricians' performance, training them for the repair and maintenance of equipment. They are responsible for enhancing their skills to create and design electrical operating systems in order to prevent malfunctions causing electric short circuits or shock. They also initiate the monitoring of electrical equipment. They are to help electricians install electrical equipment in establishments and homes, following standard safety protocols imposed by the state. When a defect is observed, they can quickly troubleshoot and start repair.

Journeyman electrician vs electrical supervisor salary

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

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Supervisor
Average salary$54,526$90,972
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $83,000Between $66,000 And $124,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateVermontNevada
Best paying companyMDU ResourcesMicron Technology
Best paying industryConstructionEnergy

Differences between journeyman electrician and electrical supervisor education

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

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Supervisor
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering
Most common college-Stanford University

Journeyman electrician vs electrical supervisor demographics

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

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Supervisor
Average age4249
Gender ratioMale, 96.1% Female, 3.9%Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
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, 8.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 2.1% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage3%4%

Differences between journeyman electrician and electrical supervisor 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 supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage electrical & technical crew, supervise ABB DCS & gauging system and entire maintenance department, as needed.
  • Design and implement layouts for electrical projects using ladders, aerial lifts and other equipment.
  • Start switchgear and circuit breaker maintenance and testing on schedule outages.
  • Diagnose problems with bad encoders and feedback equipment on CNC machines.
  • Repair and maintain motor switchgear, MCC's and various types of load centers.
  • Install all infrastructures for the HVAC system, pull cables and terminate control cabinets and relays.
  • Show more

Journeyman electrician vs electrical supervisor skills

Common journeyman electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Transformers, 7%
  • Electrical Components, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
Common electrical supervisor skills
  • Electrical Systems, 9%
  • PLC, 7%
  • Electrical Equipment, 6%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 6%
  • Control Systems, 5%
  • OSHA, 4%

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