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Journeyman electrician vs electrical technician

The differences between journeyman electricians and electrical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an electrical technician has an average salary of $55,215, 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 technician are hand tools, PLC, and electrical equipment.

Journeyman electrician vs electrical technician overview

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Technician
Yearly salary$54,526$55,215
Hourly rate$26.21$26.55
Growth rate7%-
Number of jobs18,411127,792
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Associate Degree, 41%
Average age4250
Years of experience12-

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 technician do?

An electrical technician is responsible for managing the electrical systems of an establishment, ensuring the safety of the network and cables to support daily operations. Electrical technicians analyze schematics and specifications to construct electrical systems, run diagnostic tests, and perform repairs for any defects and inconsistencies. They assemble electrical equipment, replace malfunctioning components, upgrading systems, and advising management of high-quality electrical supplies. An electrical technician must have excellent knowledge of the electrical and mechanical industry, especially with supervising electricians on their duties, as well as responding to the clients' inquiries and concerns.

Journeyman electrician vs electrical technician salary

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

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Technician
Average salary$54,526$55,215
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $83,000Between $37,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAPalo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateVermontVirginia
Best paying companyMDU ResourcesTexas Instruments
Best paying industryConstructionEnergy

Differences between journeyman electrician and electrical technician education

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

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Associate Degree, 41%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering
Most common college--

Journeyman electrician vs electrical technician demographics

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

Journeyman ElectricianElectrical Technician
Average age4250
Gender ratioMale, 96.1% Female, 3.9%Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%
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 technician 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 technician example responsibilities.

  • Test printed circuit boards to comply with military, ISO, and customer specifications.
  • Inspect, test and troubleshoot a variety of PLC and microprocessor control high voltage transformer systems.
  • Work in accordance with OSHA safety regulation, NEC, ANSI, ISO9001 compliance and with company safety policies.
  • Work with proximity sensors, ac & dc motors, VFDs, and controls on a daily basis here.
  • Install EMT risers in new buildings for communications.
  • Work on equipment using CNET, DNET, and Ethernet.
  • Show more

Journeyman electrician vs electrical technician skills

Common journeyman electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Transformers, 7%
  • Electrical Components, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
Common electrical technician skills
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • PLC, 7%
  • Electrical Equipment, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 6%
  • Electrical Schematics, 4%
  • Control Systems, 4%

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