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The differences between licensed electricians and wiring technicians 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 wiring technician. Additionally, a licensed electrician has an average salary of $56,328, which is higher than the $38,136 average annual salary of a wiring technician.
The top three skills for a licensed electrician include electrical equipment, ladders and NEC. The most important skills for a wiring technician are hand tools, safety procedures, and control panels.
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.
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.
Licensed electricians and wiring technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Licensed Electrician | Wiring Technician | |
| Average salary | $56,328 | $38,136 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $84,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kent, WA | Everett, WA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Community Health Systems | Schneider Electric Industrial Services |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Finance |
There are a few differences between a licensed electrician and a wiring technician in terms of educational background:
| Licensed Electrician | Wiring Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Associate Degree, 30% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between licensed electricians' and wiring technicians' demographics:
| Licensed Electrician | Wiring Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1% | Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1% |
| 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, 17.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |