What does a lead electrician do?
A Lead Electrician is the one who does the maintenance, inspection, and repair, and installation of needed equipment and other electric-related things. They are the one who supervises and monitors the job of the Electrician, plans and takes action to every happening and problem that they can encounter. They also do the planning of schedule and the process of conducting an equipment check-up and maintenance. Also, they need to be knowledgeable when it comes to repairing and installing needed material and equipment.
Lead electrician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead electrician resumes:
- Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
- Run all types of electrical conduit for switches, lights, fire alarms, telephone, receptacles and HVAC units.
- Resolve plumbing and none electrical issues.
- Repair low pressure steam boilers, HVAC systems, cooling towers, waters system, and sump pumps.
- Calculate proper size and specifications of wire, conduit, motor controls, switches, panels, and fuses.
- Oversee all operations of the HVAC department including installation, repair of all HVAC equipment at several island locations.
- Process and file loops as they are sold off, high voltage stress cones, MCC and Allen Bradley PLC work.
- Supervise small construction teams in the installation of electrical hardware and associate components according to NEC guidelines for residential new construction.
- Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
Lead electrician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Lead Electricians are proficient in Electrical Equipment, Hand Tools, and Electrical Systems. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Communication skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Lead Electricians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Electrical Equipment, 8%
Maintained safety regulations and inspections on all production electrical equipment, building lighting, and all other facility electrical systems.
- Hand Tools, 8%
Disassembled equipment and repaired and replaced loose, worn and defective components and wiring, using hand tools and soldering iron.
- Electrical Systems, 8%
Install and maintain electrical systems in commercial locations to include government facilities.
- Ladders, 6%
Work safely from ladders, scaffolds, in tunnels and crawl spaces.
- EMT, 6%
Installed Electrical wiring, transformers, and EMT piping for a newly built Duke Energy warehouse.
- PLC, 5%
Configure, Maintain and Troubleshoot all Automated Volume/Value based Optimization and PLC Computer Control Systems
Most lead electricians use their skills in "electrical equipment," "hand tools," and "electrical systems" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential lead electrician responsibilities here:
Color vision. The most essential soft skill for a lead electrician to carry out their responsibilities is color vision. This skill is important for the role because "electricians must identify electrical wires by color." Additionally, a lead electrician resume shows how their duties depend on color vision: "performed troubleshooting and fixed electrical problems in commercial and service divisions. "
Physical strength. lead electricians are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to lead electrician responsibilities, because "electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds." A lead electrician resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "provided industrial electrical maintenance, maintaining physical plant and equipment. "
Troubleshooting skills. For certain lead electrician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "troubleshooting skills." The day-to-day duties of a lead electrician rely on this skill, as "electricians find, diagnose, and repair problems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what lead electricians do: "utilized troubleshooting skills to address a broad range of electrical issues. "
The three companies that hire the most lead electricians are:
- Electrical Services Co6 lead electricians jobs
- Owen Electric5 lead electricians jobs
- JR Automation3 lead electricians jobs
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Compare different lead electricians
Lead electrician vs. Wireman
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between lead electricians and wireman. For instance, lead electrician responsibilities require skills such as "ladders," "preventative maintenance," "conduit runs," and "local codes." Whereas a wireman is skilled in "work ethic," "safety standards," "electrical control panels," and "control points." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, wiremen reach similar levels of education than lead electricians. Wiremen are 2.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Lead electrician vs. Apprentice
Wiring technicians install and conduct maintenance on wiring in electronic products. They are responsible for ensuring that machines are in working condition, and they continuously review products to ensure only good products are released to customers. They must have the ability to understand wiring schematics.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real lead electrician resumes. While lead electrician responsibilities can utilize skills like "hand tools," "ladders," "switches," and "transformers," apprentices use skills like "pet," "customer service," "basic math," and "apprenticeship."
Apprentices may earn a lower salary than lead electricians, but apprentices earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $44,876. On the other hand, lead electricians receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $58,643.apprentices earn similar levels of education than lead electricians in general. They're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead electrician vs. Wiring technician
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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, lead electricians are more likely to have skills like "electrical equipment," "ladders," "emt," and "switches." But a wiring technician is more likely to have skills like "safety procedures," "fiber optic," "wire harnesses," and "cat5."
Wiring technicians earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $42,662. Lead electricians earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $58,643.wiring technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to lead electricians. Specifically, they're 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead electrician vs. Electrical supervisor
Types of lead electrician
Updated January 8, 2025
