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Residential electrician vs apprentice electrician

The differences between residential electricians and apprentices electrician can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a residential electrician and an apprentice electrician. Additionally, a residential electrician has an average salary of $60,514, which is higher than the $38,799 average annual salary of an apprentice electrician.

The top three skills for a residential electrician include work ethic, hand tools and electrical equipment. The most important skills for an apprentice electrician are hand tools, run conduit, and EMT.

Residential electrician vs apprentice electrician overview

Residential ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Yearly salary$60,514$38,799
Hourly rate$29.09$18.65
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs22,40621,335
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a residential electrician do?

Residential Electricians are skilled tradespersons responsible for inspecting, repairing, installing, and maintaining wiring and electrical systems in residential buildings. Their duties include interpreting blueprints and technical drawings, examining electrical components, diagnosing electrical systems and wiring problems as well as installing new wiring and electrical components. Besides that, they also ensure that electrical systems are installed to adhere to local and national directives. They must know about utilizing devices to detect electrical problems. Residential electricians assist in training workers in inspection, repairing, and installation work.

What does an apprentice electrician do?

An Apprentice Electrician is responsible for conducting electrical repairs and faults under the supervision and guidelines of a Master Electrician. The duties of an Apprentice will vary while still under training; however, it will mostly revolve around assisting the Master Electrician or carrying out given tasks. Furthermore, an Apprentice Electrician may be responsible for clearing out sites, carrying or loading materials, procuring required supplies, understanding and interpreting various types of blueprints, handling wiring systems, and coordinating with multiple workers, even including the clients.

Residential electrician vs apprentice electrician salary

Residential electricians and apprentices electrician have different pay scales, as shown below.

Residential ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Average salary$60,514$38,799
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $90,000Between $28,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonHawaii
Best paying companyConstellation Energy PartnersDell
Best paying industryManufacturingConstruction

Differences between residential electrician and apprentice electrician education

There are a few differences between a residential electrician and an apprentice electrician in terms of educational background:

Residential ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Residential electrician vs apprentice electrician demographics

Here are the differences between residential electricians' and apprentices electrician' demographics:

Residential ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.7% Female, 3.3%Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between residential electrician and apprentice electrician duties and responsibilities

Residential electrician example responsibilities.

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Install all electrical components according to the NEC and local codes.
  • Experience working with Romex, ENT, MC, and EMT.
  • Used electrical troubleshooting skills to solve technical discrepancies in residential and commercial properties, including HVAC systems.
  • Finish all electrical trim for both the interior and exterior circuitry such as light fixtures, outlets, switches and appliances.
  • Plan and follow blueprint layout and installation of residential wiring per NEC codes.
  • Show more

Apprentice electrician example responsibilities.

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Experience with underground installations and installing PVC, EMT, MC, wire pulling, trimming, device and panel makeup.
  • Pull cables on main tray from PLC to junction boxes, including motor control center to motors and on/off switches.
  • Perform grind up industrial electrical construction, running above grind EMT and rigid conduit, underground PVC conduit and pulling wire.
  • Copper & brass fitting & brazing.
  • Weather seal and caulking, around glass panes interior and exterior of buildings.
  • Show more

Residential electrician vs apprentice electrician skills

Common residential electrician skills
  • Work Ethic, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Electrical Equipment, 9%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Circuit Breakers, 6%
  • Switches, 6%
Common apprentice electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 13%
  • RUN Conduit, 12%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Electrical Components, 5%

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