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The differences between senior electricians and electrical estimators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a senior electrician, becoming an electrical estimator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an electrical estimator has an average salary of $70,612, which is higher than the $55,615 average annual salary of a senior electrician.
The top three skills for a senior electrician include electrical equipment, hand tools and ladders. The most important skills for an electrical estimator are project management, quantity take-offs, and electrical systems.
| Senior Electrician | Electrical Estimator | |
| Yearly salary | $55,615 | $70,612 |
| Hourly rate | $26.74 | $33.95 |
| Growth rate | 7% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 17,633 | 36,760 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
Electrical estimators are electrical system professionals who are responsible for creating the approximate cost of various electrical installations for both industrial and residential projects. These estimators must analyze blueprints to determine wire lengths as well as the amount and cost of all materials and fixtures needed for their electrical projects. They are required to improve cost-estimating procedures so that they can reduce inconsistencies between the estimated and actual project costs. Electrical estimators must also participate in project biddings by completing and submitting their proposals by following established guidelines.
Senior electricians and electrical estimators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Electrician | Electrical Estimator | |
| Average salary | $55,615 | $70,612 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $81,000 | Between $48,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | Stockton, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | JELD-WEN | Intel |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a senior electrician and an electrical estimator in terms of educational background:
| Senior Electrician | Electrical Estimator | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between senior electricians' and electrical estimators' demographics:
| Senior Electrician | Electrical Estimator | |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 2.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.4% White, 75.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 4% |