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The differences between residential electricians and journeymen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a residential electrician, becoming a journeyman takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a residential electrician has an average salary of $60,514, which is higher than the $57,682 average annual salary of a journeyman.
The top three skills for a residential electrician include work ethic, hand tools and electrical equipment. The most important skills for a journeyman are hand tools, work ethic, and HVAC.
| Residential Electrician | Journeyman | |
| Yearly salary | $60,514 | $57,682 |
| Hourly rate | $29.09 | $27.73 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 22,406 | 13,953 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
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.
A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.
Residential electricians and journeymen have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Residential Electrician | Journeyman | |
| Average salary | $60,514 | $57,682 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $90,000 | Between $39,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Constellation Energy Partners | CVR Energy |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Construction |
There are a few differences between a residential electrician and a journeyman in terms of educational background:
| Residential Electrician | Journeyman | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between residential electricians' and journeymen' demographics:
| Residential Electrician | Journeyman | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3% | Male, 87.2% Female, 12.8% |
| 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, 7.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 2% |