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The differences between journeyman linemen and electrical helpers 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 lineman and an electrical helper. Additionally, a journeyman lineman has an average salary of $77,257, which is higher than the $31,465 average annual salary of an electrical helper.
The top three skills for a journeyman lineman include CDL, switches and customer service. The most important skills for an electrical helper are hand tools, ladders, and EMT.
A journeyman lineman specializes in the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical systems and other supplementary equipment. Their responsibilities typically revolve around climbing up and working on power lines and electrical cables, reading and understanding wiring systems, reporting progress or issues to supervisors, performing regular inspections and providing corrective measures, and removing any obstructions in wires or power lines. Because of the risks surrounding the job, it is crucial to adhere to all the safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and productive work environment.
An Electrical Helper is responsible for assisting head electricians in conducting electrical repairs and installments for private households or commercial establishments. Electrical Helpers operate various electrical tools and equipment, requiring them to inspect the materials before and after every use to avoid potential hazards and operational failures. They also support the senior electricians in performing troubleshooting procedures, component replacements, and upgrading systems for optimization. An Electrical Helper must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills, especially in fixing broken cables and strictly following safety protocols and regulations.
Journeyman linemen and electrical helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman Lineman | Electrical Helper | |
| Average salary | $77,257 | $31,465 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $114,000 | Between $26,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Eureka, CA | Buffalo, NY |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Maine |
| Best paying company | Pacific Gas and Electric | Xcel Energy |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Construction |
There are a few differences between a journeyman lineman and an electrical helper in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman Lineman | Electrical Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between journeyman linemen' and electrical helpers' demographics:
| Journeyman Lineman | Electrical Helper | |
| Average age | 42 | 34 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 2.2% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 2% |