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The differences between service electricians and electrical helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a service electrician and an electrical helper. Additionally, a service electrician has an average salary of $57,731, which is higher than the $31,465 average annual salary of an electrical helper.
The top three skills for a service electrician include customer service, ladders and electrical systems. The most important skills for an electrical helper are hand tools, ladders, and EMT.
A service electrician specializes in installing and repairing electrical systems and equipment in commercial and residential areas. They typically meet with clients to identify and understand their needs, perform installations and inspections, troubleshoot problems, replace or fix wirings, and perform regular maintenance checks to ensure efficiency and client safety. Most service electricians work as an independent contractor, although there are instances where they work with a team of other electricians and specialists. Moreover, they must build positive relationships with clients for a strong client base.
An Electrical Helper is responsible for assisting head electricians in conducting electrical repairs and installments for private households or commercial establishments. Electrical Helpers operate various electrical tools and equipment, requiring them to inspect the materials before and after every use to avoid potential hazards and operational failures. They also support the senior electricians in performing troubleshooting procedures, component replacements, and upgrading systems for optimization. An Electrical Helper must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills, especially in fixing broken cables and strictly following safety protocols and regulations.
Service electricians and electrical helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Service Electrician | Electrical Helper | |
| Average salary | $57,731 | $31,465 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $83,000 | Between $26,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Edison, NJ | Buffalo, NY |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Maine |
| Best paying company | Tesla | Xcel Energy |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Construction |
There are a few differences between a service electrician and an electrical helper in terms of educational background:
| Service Electrician | Electrical Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between service electricians' and electrical helpers' demographics:
| Service Electrician | Electrical Helper | |
| Average age | 42 | 34 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 2% |