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The differences between residential electricians and electrician helpers 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 electrician helper. Additionally, a residential electrician has an average salary of $60,514, which is higher than the $36,733 average annual salary of an electrician helper.
The top three skills for a residential electrician include work ethic, hand tools and electrical equipment. The most important skills for an electrician helper are hand tools, run conduit, and receptacles.
| Residential Electrician | Electrician Helper | |
| Yearly salary | $60,514 | $36,733 |
| Hourly rate | $29.09 | $17.66 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 22,406 | 27,886 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
An electrician helper is responsible for performing electrical maintenance duties under the supervision of a senior electrician. Electrician helpers conduct electrical and system installations, following protocols for the safeness of the process and components. They also inspect electrical tools and equipment before use, request supplies, and ensure the adequacy of materials during electrical operations. An electrician helper must have comprehensive knowledge of the electrical industry, be a fast learner, and have excellent time-management skills, especially when following instructions from the senior electrician on making the project successful.
Residential electricians and electrician helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Residential Electrician | Electrician Helper | |
| Average salary | $60,514 | $36,733 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $28,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Constellation Energy Partners | Exelon |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Construction |
There are a few differences between a residential electrician and an electrician helper in terms of educational background:
| Residential Electrician | Electrician Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between residential electricians' and electrician helpers' demographics:
| Residential Electrician | Electrician Helper | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3% | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |