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.
Senior electrician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior electrician resumes:
- 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.
Senior electrician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Senior Electricians are proficient in Electrical Equipment, Hand Tools, and Ladders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Communication skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Senior Electricians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Electrical Equipment, 9%
Plan and organize preventative maintenance schedules on all electrical equipment contained on offshore platforms.
- Hand Tools, 9%
Measured out, and bent wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
- Ladders, 6%
Performed daily inspections with proper documentation on electrical tools, ladders and on motorized equipment.
- Circuit Breakers, 5%
Maintain existing panel boxes including the replacement of circuit breakers; troubleshoot electrical circuits in order to eliminate potential hazards.
- Preventative Maintenance, 5%
Performed Preventative Maintenance as well as troubleshoot production and chemical processes.
- Switches, 5%
Maintained operating efficiency of distribution panels, switches, switchboards, controllers, voltage regulators, current and voltage transformers.
Common skills that a senior electrician uses to do their job include "electrical equipment," "hand tools," and "ladders." You can find details on the most important senior electrician responsibilities below.
Color vision. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior electrician to have is color vision. Their role and responsibilities require that "electricians must identify electrical wires by color." Senior electricians often use color vision in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "acted as a core member of the naval ship's technical manual (nstm 300) electrical safety revision group. "
Physical strength. senior electricians are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior electrician responsibilities, because "electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds." A senior electrician resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "provided industrial electrical maintenance, maintaining physical plant and equipment. "
Troubleshooting skills. senior electrician responsibilities often require "troubleshooting skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "electricians find, diagnose, and repair problems." This resume example shows what senior electricians do with troubleshooting skills on a typical day: "perform troubleshooting on plc and electrical control systems. "
Customer-service skills. Another common skill required for senior electrician responsibilities is "customer-service skills." This skill comes up in the duties of senior electricians all the time, as "electricians work with people on a regular basis." An excerpt from a real senior electrician resume shows how this skill is central to what a senior electrician does: "build systems to meet customers specs like explosion or corrosion proof, using nec, csa, ul and iso standards. "
The three companies that hire the most senior electricians are:
- Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline7 senior electricians jobs
- JLL4 senior electricians jobs
- Compass Group USA4 senior electricians jobs
Compare different senior electricians
Senior electrician vs. Wireman
An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures. An apprentice must be detail-oriented, fast-learner, and enthusiastic. An apprentice should also know how to accept constructive criticisms and feedback to improve performance and skill development.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior electrician responsibilities require skills like "ladders," "preventative maintenance," "osha," and "nfpa." Meanwhile a typical wireman has skills in areas such as "work ethic," "electrical conduit," "electrical systems," and "transformers." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Wiremen tend to reach similar levels of education than senior electricians. In fact, wiremen are 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Senior electrician vs. Apprentice
A low voltage technician is responsible for monitoring and installing low-voltage cables and systems for electronic equipment and communication devices. Low voltage technicians analyze blueprints and schematics to connect the cables safely and accurately. They also conduct repairs for defective components and faulty wirings, recommending solutions and low-cost materials with high quality according to the customers' needs and budget limitations. A low voltage technician must have excellent electrical and organizational skills, especially in performing duties with utmost adherence to safety guidelines and procedures to prevent hazards and operational delays.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior electrician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "ladders," "circuit breakers," and "switches." Meanwhile, an apprentice has duties that require skills in areas such as "pet," "customer service," "basic math," and "apprenticeship." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Apprentices may earn a lower salary than senior electricians, but apprentices earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $44,876. On the other hand, senior electricians receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $73,421.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Apprentices tend to reach similar levels of education than senior electricians. In fact, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior electrician vs. Low voltage technician
The electrical supervisor oversees electricians' performance, training them for the repair and maintenance of equipment. They are responsible for enhancing their skills to create and design electrical operating systems in order to prevent malfunctions causing electric short circuits or shock. They also initiate the monitoring of electrical equipment. They are to help electricians install electrical equipment in establishments and homes, following standard safety protocols imposed by the state. When a defect is observed, they can quickly troubleshoot and start repair.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior electrician resumes include skills like "electrical equipment," "circuit breakers," "preventative maintenance," and "nfpa," whereas a low voltage technician is more likely to list skills in "cctv," "patch panels," "structured cabling," and "cat6. "
Low voltage technicians make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $46,465. On the other hand, senior electricians are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $73,421.low voltage technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to senior electricians. Specifically, they're 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior electrician vs. Electrical supervisor
Types of senior electrician
Updated January 8, 2025
