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Senior electrician vs journeyman electrician

The differences between senior electricians and journeyman 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 senior electrician and a journeyman electrician. Additionally, a senior electrician has an average salary of $55,615, which is higher than the $54,526 average annual salary of a journeyman electrician.

The top three skills for a senior electrician include electrical equipment, hand tools and ladders. The most important skills for a journeyman electrician are hand tools, electrical systems, and EMT.

Senior electrician vs journeyman electrician overview

Senior ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Yearly salary$55,615$54,526
Hourly rate$26.74$26.21
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs17,63318,411
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 34%
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 a journeyman electrician do?

A journeyman electrician is responsible for performing various electrical tasks such as installation, repair, and maintenance. They have the freedom to provide services as part of a company or as an independent worker. Unlike an apprentice, a journeyman can work without any supervision from a master electrician. Furthermore, a journeyman electrician also has the responsibility to discuss the extent of repairs and explain to clients how to take better care of their appliances and electrical systems. A journeyman will also obtain the necessary supplies for a task and even train apprentices.

Senior electrician vs journeyman electrician salary

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

Senior ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Average salary$55,615$54,526
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $81,000Between $35,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CityStockton, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateVermontVermont
Best paying companyJELD-WENMDU Resources
Best paying industryEnergyConstruction

Differences between senior electrician and journeyman electrician education

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

Senior ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Senior electrician vs journeyman electrician demographics

Here are the differences between senior electricians' and journeyman electricians' demographics:

Senior ElectricianJourneyman Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.0% Female, 4.0%Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%
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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between senior electrician and journeyman 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.

Journeyman electrician example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to retrofit outdate piece of CNC machinery to allow usage for production personnel on a new design part.
  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Rewire, install and perform preventative maintenance on electrical panels, switches and distribution systems.
  • Work on various PLC's, Allen-Bradley, GE, Omron, and Siemens.
  • Install electrical construction with in mall buildings, wiring lighting, bending EMT conduit, pulling wiring for new circuits.
  • Measure, cut, bend, thread, assemble and install electrical conduit, including EMT, rigid and PVC pipe.
  • Show more

Senior electrician vs journeyman electrician skills

Common senior electrician skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Ladders, 6%
  • Circuit Breakers, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 5%
  • Switches, 5%
Common journeyman electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Transformers, 7%
  • Electrical Components, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%

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