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The differences between licensed electricians and lead 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 a lead electrician. Additionally, a lead electrician has an average salary of $56,709, which is higher than the $56,328 average annual salary of a licensed electrician.
The top three skills for a licensed electrician include electrical equipment, ladders and NEC. The most important skills for a lead electrician are electrical equipment, hand tools, and electrical systems.
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.
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.
Licensed electricians and lead electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Licensed Electrician | Lead Electrician | |
| Average salary | $56,328 | $56,709 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $84,000 | Between $38,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kent, WA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Community Health Systems | Ameresco |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Energy |
There are a few differences between a licensed electrician and a lead electrician in terms of educational background:
| Licensed Electrician | Lead Electrician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between licensed electricians' and lead electricians' demographics:
| Licensed Electrician | Lead Electrician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1% | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% |
| 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, 8.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.2% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |