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Plant electrician vs industrial electrician

The differences between plant electricians and industrial 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 plant electrician and an industrial electrician. Additionally, a plant electrician has an average salary of $62,953, which is higher than the $62,533 average annual salary of an industrial electrician.

The top three skills for a plant electrician include PLC, electrical equipment and hand tools. The most important skills for an industrial electrician are electrical equipment, hand tools, and ac.

Plant electrician vs industrial electrician overview

Plant ElectricianIndustrial Electrician
Yearly salary$62,953$62,533
Hourly rate$30.27$30.06
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs26,30123,963
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 42%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a plant electrician do?

Plant electricians are electrical professionals who are responsible for maintaining equipment used in production or to generate electricity in industrial plants and factories. These electricians are required to maintain electrical equipment while providing routine repairs on their electrical components to ensure proper performance. They must inspect the electrical systems and equipment throughout the plant to identify hazards and defects. Plant electricians must also implement maintenance programs that are used to test equipment and diagnose an isolated system malfunction.

What does an industrial electrician do?

An Industrial Electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in industrial facilities. They are usually part of a construction team to put in and check new equipment and systems.

Plant electrician vs industrial electrician salary

Plant electricians and industrial electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Plant ElectricianIndustrial Electrician
Average salary$62,953$62,533
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $83,000Between $47,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CityNewark, NJSaint Paul, MN
Highest paying stateVermontVermont
Best paying companyFord MotorThe Washington Post
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between plant electrician and industrial electrician education

There are a few differences between a plant electrician and an industrial electrician in terms of educational background:

Plant ElectricianIndustrial Electrician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Plant electrician vs industrial electrician demographics

Here are the differences between plant electricians' and industrial electricians' demographics:

Plant ElectricianIndustrial Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 97.9% Female, 2.1%Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 2.2% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between plant electrician and industrial electrician duties and responsibilities

Plant electrician example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to retrofit outdate piece of CNC machinery to allow usage for production personnel on a new design part.
  • Train other maintenance personnel on proper electrical safety, troubleshooting, and NEC compliant wiring methods.
  • Work with high and low voltage DC.
  • Perform inspections on high voltage switches and transformers.
  • Assist in mining process by operating shuttle cars and scoops.
  • Complete jobs in a safely manner in accordance with OSHA standards.
  • Show more

Industrial electrician example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to retrofit outdate piece of CNC machinery to allow usage for production personnel on a new design part.
  • Install electrical services ranging from 480 volts ac to 24 volts dc.
  • Include the installation of EMT and rigid conduit for branch circuits, fire alarm systems and motor control circuits.
  • Job responsibilities include running conduit wiring transformers and terminating PLC cabinets.
  • Work with voltages ranging from 24 vdc to 2300 vac.
  • Maintain both A/C and D/C main power generation systems.
  • Show more

Plant electrician vs industrial electrician skills

Common plant electrician skills
  • PLC, 8%
  • Electrical Equipment, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 4%
  • NEC, 4%
  • Electrical Schematics, 4%
  • OSHA, 3%
Common industrial electrician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Ac, 4%
  • Dc, 4%
  • Test Equipment, 4%
  • Industrial Maintenance, 4%

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