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Senior electrician vs apprentice electrician

The differences between senior 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 senior electrician and an apprentice electrician. Additionally, a senior electrician has an average salary of $55,615, which is higher than the $38,799 average annual salary of an apprentice electrician.

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

Senior electrician vs apprentice electrician overview

Senior ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Yearly salary$55,615$38,799
Hourly rate$26.74$18.65
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs17,63321,335
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 44%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a senior electrician do?

A senior electrician needs to be aware of the various electric problems that occur within their company's system. Using a variety of testing devices, they identify potential electrical problems. They replace wiring equipment or fixtures and work with voltages ranging from 12V DC to 12470V AC. They must have the ability to read electrical diagrams and blueprints of any electrical system.

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.

Senior electrician vs apprentice electrician salary

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

Senior ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Average salary$55,615$38,799
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $81,000Between $28,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CityStockton, CALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateVermontHawaii
Best paying companyJELD-WENDell
Best paying industryEnergyConstruction

Differences between senior electrician and apprentice electrician education

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

Senior ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Senior electrician vs apprentice electrician demographics

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

Senior ElectricianApprentice Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.0% Female, 4.0%Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.3% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 senior electrician and apprentice electrician duties and responsibilities

Senior electrician example responsibilities.

  • Terminate primary and secondary leads of transformers.
  • Install many PLC changes for safety and quality improvements.
  • Service PLC operate electroplating lines, CNC mills and lathes, injection molding and vacuum presses.
  • Supervise small construction teams in the installation of electrical hardware and associate components according to NEC guidelines for residential new construction.
  • Replace motors and gearboxes upon management request.

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

Senior electrician vs apprentice electrician skills

Common senior electrician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Ladders, 6%
  • Circuit Breakers, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 5%
  • Switches, 5%
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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