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The differences between low voltage technicians 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 low voltage technician and an electrician. Additionally, an electrician has an average salary of $48,850, which is higher than the $39,605 average annual salary of a low voltage technician.
The top three skills for a low voltage technician include hand tools, CCTV and patch panels. The most important skills for an electrician are hand tools, electrical equipment, and run conduit.
| Low Voltage Technician | Electrician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,605 | $48,850 |
| Hourly rate | $19.04 | $23.49 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 40,465 | 17,245 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.86 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A low voltage technician is responsible for monitoring and installing low-voltage cables and systems for electronic equipment and communication devices. Low voltage technicians analyze blueprints and schematics to connect the cables safely and accurately. They also conduct repairs for defective components and faulty wirings, recommending solutions and low-cost materials with high quality according to the customers' needs and budget limitations. A low voltage technician must have excellent electrical and organizational skills, especially in performing duties with utmost adherence to safety guidelines and procedures to prevent hazards and operational delays.
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.
Low voltage technicians and electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Low Voltage Technician | Electrician | |
| Average salary | $39,605 | $48,850 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $50,000 | Between $32,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | PBF Energy |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a low voltage technician and an electrician in terms of educational background:
| Low Voltage Technician | 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 low voltage technicians' and electricians' demographics:
| Low Voltage Technician | Electrician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 2.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |