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.
Journeyman electrician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real journeyman electrician resumes:
- 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.
- Perform preventative maintenance on transformers and breakers.
- Repair plumbing equipment, i.e.
- Install plumbing; including industrial kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
- Install lights, panels, switchboards, transformers and other electrical apparatus and equipment.
- Crew lead/ foremen for the installation of solar PV systems, transformer installations and other energy management systems.
- Service overhead line conductors 7,200/12,470/69,000 VAC, direct bury cables, and those in underground ducts and conduits.
- Work safely in an industrial environment that includes 600VAC , 480 VAC and 240 VAC 3 phase power.
- Lead a team of 4 in the performance of electrical maintenance and repair work on residential and commercial PV installs.
- Perform calibration of metering equipment and associate instrumentation such as transducers, gauges, switches, thermometers, power supplies.
Journeyman electrician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Journeyman Electricians are proficient in Hand Tools, Electrical Systems, and EMT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Communication skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Journeyman Electricians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 11%
Planned layouts of electrical components and electrical equipment installations also constructed and fabricated parts using hand tools and specifications.
- Electrical Systems, 8%
Completed the layout and designs of electrical systems including the installation of primary and secondary electrical cables and communication services.
- EMT, 7%
Measured, cut, bend, threaded, assembled and installed electrical conduit, including EMT, rigid and PVC pipe.
- Transformers, 7%
Performed preventative maintenance on transformers and breakers.
- Electrical Components, 6%
Inventory, installation, and monitoring of electrical components on various electrical equipment at various commercial and industrial construction projects.
- Work Ethic, 6%
Recognized for exemplary attendance and work ethic.
Common skills that a journeyman electrician uses to do their job include "hand tools," "electrical systems," and "emt." You can find details on the most important journeyman electrician responsibilities below.
Color vision. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a journeyman electrician to have is color vision. Their role and responsibilities require that "electricians must identify electrical wires by color." Journeyman electricians often use color vision in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "rebuilt/rewired existing control panels to fit production equipment revisions. "
Physical strength. This is an important skill for journeyman electricians to perform their duties. For an example of how journeyman electrician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a journeyman electrician: "performed preventative maintenance on equipment and physical structures as required, and maintained related records. ".
Troubleshooting skills. A big part of what journeyman electricians do relies on "troubleshooting skills." You can see how essential it is to journeyman 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 journeyman electrician tasks: "performed worked from general electrical problems to major electrical problems relating to all electrical functions, troubleshooting, repair and rebuild. "
The three companies that hire the most journeyman electricians are:
- Lane Valente Industries51 journeyman electricians jobs
- Mr. Electric36 journeyman electricians jobs
- Blue Raven Solar36 journeyman electricians jobs
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Compare different journeyman electricians
Journeyman electrician vs. Apprentice
An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures. An apprentice must be detail-oriented, fast-learner, and enthusiastic. An apprentice should also know how to accept constructive criticisms and feedback to improve performance and skill development.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a journeyman electrician are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "transformers," "electrical components," and "work ethic." On the other hand, a job as an apprentice requires skills like "pet," "customer service," "basic math," and "apprenticeship." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Apprentices tend to make the most money working in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $44,876. In contrast, journeyman electricians make the biggest average salary, $60,453, in the construction industry.apprentices tend to reach similar levels of education than journeyman electricians. In fact, apprentices are 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Journeyman electrician vs. Wireman
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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real journeyman electrician resumes. While journeyman electrician responsibilities can utilize skills like "strong work ethic," "governmental regulations," "ladders," and "osha," wiremen use skills like "safety standards," "electrical schematics," "electrical control panels," and "control points."
Wiremen earn similar levels of education than journeyman electricians in general. They're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Journeyman electrician vs. Electrical supervisor
Sometimes called electrician apprentices, electrical apprentices assist the electricians in maintaining, repairing, and operating the electrical systems. Typically, they work in huge construction sites and facilities on their power distribution, lighting systems, and cables. These apprentices assist electricians in the installation of electrical systems. They have to be equipped with skills and knowledge in electrical equipment, installation, and safety regulations. It is also expected from them to become motivated team players and be well-organized.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, journeyman electricians are more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "emt," "work ethic," and "strong work ethic." But a electrical supervisor is more likely to have skills like "preventive maintenance," "nfpa," "safety regulations," and "cmms."
Electrical supervisors earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $92,489. Journeyman electricians earn the highest pay from the construction industry, with an average salary of $60,453.When it comes to education, electrical supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to journeyman electricians. In fact, they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Journeyman electrician vs. Electrical apprentice
Types of journeyman electrician
Updated January 8, 2025
