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Journeyman electrician vs master electrician

The differences between journeyman electricians and master electricians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a journeyman electrician and a master electrician. Additionally, a journeyman electrician has an average salary of $54,526, which is higher than the $52,154 average annual salary of a master electrician.

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

Journeyman electrician vs master electrician overview

Journeyman ElectricianMaster Electrician
Yearly salary$54,526$52,154
Hourly rate$26.21$25.07
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs18,41126,377
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

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 a master electrician do?

A Master Electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in private homes or commercial properties. They also supervise the work performed by journeymen, ensure proper staffing, and monitor the quality, as well as prepare and submit work documentation.

Journeyman electrician vs master electrician salary

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

Journeyman ElectricianMaster Electrician
Average salary$54,526$52,154
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $83,000Between $31,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateVermontVermont
Best paying companyMDU ResourcesAllegro MicroSystems
Best paying industryConstructionEnergy

Differences between journeyman electrician and master electrician education

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

Journeyman ElectricianMaster Electrician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Journeyman electrician vs master electrician demographics

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

Journeyman ElectricianMaster Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.1% Female, 3.9%Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.3% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between journeyman electrician and master electrician 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

Master electrician example responsibilities.

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Experience with PLC (e.g., industrial maintenance, computer control systems, etc .).
  • Experience in installing and maintaining motors, welding equipment, lighting fixtures, generators, circuit breakers, and transformers.
  • Snake wires through PVC, conduits, walls.
  • Work under company safety policies and maintain OSHA safe facilities.
  • Repair failures of substation breakers, transformers, and other equipment.
  • Show more

Journeyman electrician vs master electrician skills

Common journeyman electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Transformers, 7%
  • Electrical Components, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
Common master electrician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 8%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Transformers, 5%
  • NEC, 5%

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