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The differences between licensed electricians and maintenance 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 maintenance electrician. Additionally, a maintenance electrician has an average salary of $62,112, 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 maintenance electrician are electrical equipment, hand tools, and preventative maintenance.
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 maintenance electrician is responsible for monitoring the electrical systems of a building, inspecting the wiring and cables for any malfunctions, and perform preventive maintenance as needed to ensure its safety and efficiency. Maintenance electricians upgrade electrical network systems for optimal performance and replacing faulty wiring, as well as installing new equipment in the building as the management advises. They also analyze schematics and blueprints for electrical line placements and running diagnostic tests to identify possible defects for immediate resolution. A maintenance electrician must have excellent knowledge of the electrical industry, especially on recording maintenance reports and solutions.
Licensed electricians and maintenance electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Licensed Electrician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Average salary | $56,328 | $62,112 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $84,000 | Between $46,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kent, WA | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Community Health Systems | PBF Energy |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a licensed electrician and a maintenance electrician in terms of educational background:
| Licensed Electrician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between licensed electricians' and maintenance electricians' demographics:
| Licensed Electrician | Maintenance Electrician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1% | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% |
| 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, 9.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 2.3% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |