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The differences between licensed electricians 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 licensed electrician and an electrical helper. Additionally, a licensed electrician has an average salary of $56,328, which is higher than the $31,465 average annual salary of an electrical helper.
The top three skills for a licensed electrician include electrical equipment, ladders and NEC. The most important skills for an electrical helper are hand tools, ladders, and EMT.
A licensed electrician is responsible for operating electrical equipment and installing power systems to establishments, private households, and other industrial and commercial areas. Licensed electricians assemble complex wiring and electrical cables, requiring them to have an excellent analysis of mechanical schematics and blueprints. They conduct regular maintenance and inspection to ensure the safety and stability of the systems to prevent potential hazards and operational delays. A licensed electrician must have excellent mechanical and organizational skills, especially in following strict protocols and safety procedures during operations.
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.
Licensed electricians and electrical helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Licensed Electrician | Electrical Helper | |
| Average salary | $56,328 | $31,465 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $84,000 | Between $26,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kent, WA | Buffalo, NY |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Maine |
| Best paying company | Community Health Systems | Xcel Energy |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Construction |
There are a few differences between a licensed electrician and an electrical helper in terms of educational background:
| Licensed Electrician | Electrical Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between licensed electricians' and electrical helpers' demographics:
| Licensed Electrician | Electrical Helper | |
| Average age | 42 | 34 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 2.3% White, 64.7% 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% |