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The differences between licensed electricians and 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 licensed electrician and an electrician. Additionally, a licensed electrician has an average salary of $56,328, which is higher than the $48,850 average annual salary of an electrician.
The top three skills for a licensed electrician include electrical equipment, ladders and NEC. The most important skills for an electrician are hand tools, electrical equipment, and run conduit.
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 electrician is a skilled tradesman in charge of wirings and systems which provide electric power to a facility. They are trained to design, install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical wiring systems. There are four basic types of an electrician - residential wiremen, inside wiremen, telecommunications electrician, and outside linemen. Some work on a standard 40-hour week shift while others are on-call duty. In some cases, traveling is also a vital key to their role where they would work for a few days before moving to another location.
Licensed electricians and electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Licensed Electrician | Electrician | |
| Average salary | $56,328 | $48,850 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $84,000 | Between $32,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kent, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Community Health Systems | PBF Energy |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a licensed electrician and an electrician in terms of educational background:
| Licensed Electrician | Electrician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between licensed electricians' and electricians' demographics:
| Licensed Electrician | Electrician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| 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, 8.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |