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Residential electrician vs industrial electrician

The differences between residential 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 residential electrician and an industrial electrician. Additionally, an industrial electrician has an average salary of $62,533, which is higher than the $60,514 average annual salary of a residential electrician.

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

Residential electrician vs industrial electrician overview

Residential ElectricianIndustrial Electrician
Yearly salary$60,514$62,533
Hourly rate$29.09$30.06
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs22,40623,963
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%Associate Degree, 42%
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 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.

Residential electrician vs industrial electrician salary

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

Residential ElectricianIndustrial Electrician
Average salary$60,514$62,533
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $90,000Between $47,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASaint Paul, MN
Highest paying stateWashingtonVermont
Best paying companyConstellation Energy PartnersThe Washington Post
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between residential electrician and industrial electrician education

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

Residential ElectricianIndustrial Electrician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Residential electrician vs industrial electrician demographics

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

Residential ElectricianIndustrial Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.7% Female, 3.3%Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4%
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, 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 residential electrician and industrial 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

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

Residential electrician vs industrial electrician skills

Common residential electrician skills
  • Work Ethic, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Electrical Equipment, 9%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Circuit Breakers, 6%
  • Switches, 6%
Common industrial electrician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Ac, 4%
  • Dc, 4%
  • Test Equipment, 4%
  • Industrial Maintenance, 4%

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