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What does a Service Electrician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a Service Electrician do

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.

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Service electrician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real service electrician resumes:

  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Complete electrical installation of all service equipment, transfer switches, and large generators in new barns or old.
  • Update all electrical work to today NEC.
  • Follow local building codes and OSHA regulations.
  • Improve OSHA compliance in all departments within mill.
  • Modify EMT piping and used hotbox to bend PVC.
  • Run machine program control logic wiring (PLC).
  • Install power and control wiring for HVAC and refrigeration units, walk ins, etc.
  • Set fixtures, outlets, install and wire electrical panels as well as HVAC systems.
  • g) MinProc computerize maintenance management system (CMMS) software software base maintenance and resource management.
  • Add electrical devices for customers with little to no damage in service settings, including receptacles, switches, and lighting.
  • Repair and install various distributions circuits, including installation of various sizes of rigid, EMT, IMC, PVC conduit.
  • Order various electrical supplies, maintain upkeep on 4160vac , 500kw generator, perform prevented maintenance on computer operate PLC equipment.
  • Maintain sterilizers for surgery department.
  • Install, repair and test Allen-Bradley electrical and electronic systems.

Service electrician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 20% of Service Electricians are proficient in Customer Service, Ladders, and Electrical Systems. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Communication skills, and Physical strength.

We break down the percentage of Service Electricians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 20%

    Cultivated strong relationships with clients, resulting in excellent customer service satisfaction and consistently superior performance reviews.

  • Ladders, 13%

    Performed daily inspections with proper documentation on electrical tools, ladders and on motorized equipment.

  • Electrical Systems, 8%

    Maintain and install electrical systems and components for residential, commercial and industrial applications.

  • NEC, 7%

    Service calls, trouble shooting, new construction, remodels, 120/240 and 480 kVA installation in accordance with NEC.

  • Electrical Equipment, 6%

    Position consisted of installing and maintaining electrical equipment for properties owned by Tiller Corporation in mining and asphalt production environments.

  • Hand Tools, 4%

    Assembled, installed, tested and maintained electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures using hand tools and power tools.

Common skills that a service electrician uses to do their job include "customer service," "ladders," and "electrical systems." You can find details on the most important service electrician responsibilities below.

Color vision. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a service electrician to have is color vision. Their role and responsibilities require that "electricians must identify electrical wires by color." Service electricians often use color vision in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "point man for all service upgrades and all 24-hour service calls for residential division. "

Physical strength. service electricians are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to service electrician responsibilities, because "electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds." A service electrician resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "perform physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches and working from ladders. "

Troubleshooting skills. service 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 service electricians do with troubleshooting skills on a typical day: "performed necessary troubleshooting required to determine electrical issues. "

Most common service electrician skills

Compare different service electricians

Service electrician vs. Journeyman ironworker

Plumbers specialize in assembling, detecting issues, maintaining, and repairing pipes and systems that can either involve water or gas distribution in a home or establishment, ensuring that they function efficiently. Additionally, Plumbers can also install various materials such as kitchen or bathroom sinks, toilets, appliances, and more. Among the tasks may revolve around training other plumbers or coordinating with other workers involved on a project, clearing obstructions and handling waste disposal, informing clients about the costs and process of repairs, and building rapport with them.

We looked at the average service electrician salary and compared it with the wages of a journeyman ironworker. Generally speaking, journeyman ironworkers are paid $16,419 lower than service electricians per year.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between service electricians and journeyman ironworker. For instance, service electrician responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "ladders," "electrical systems," and "nec." Whereas a journeyman ironworker is skilled in "cranes," "bars," "hoisting," and "rebar." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Journeyman ironworkers tend to reach similar levels of education than service electricians. In fact, journeyman ironworkers are 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Service electrician vs. Plumber

A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.

On average, plumbers earn a $2,394 lower salary than service electricians a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Service electricians and plumbers both require similar skills like "customer service," "ladders," and "hand tools" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that service electrician responsibilities requires skills like "electrical systems," "nec," "electrical equipment," and "electrical components." But a plumber might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "plumbers," "cast iron," "pipe systems," and "work ethic."

Plumbers may earn a lower salary than service electricians, but plumbers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $58,436. On the other hand, service electricians receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $62,044.plumbers earn similar levels of education than service electricians in general. They're 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Service electrician vs. Journeyman

A plumber helper is responsible for assisting the head plumber in installing plumbing systems, conducting preventive maintenance, and repairing broken components. Plumber helpers inspect and maintain the stability and condition of all the plumbing equipment to avoid potential hazards and ensure no delays in operations. They also adjust pipe systems, replace outdated gutters, and adhere to the highest safety standards and protocols during operations. A plumber helper must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills to perform services under minimal supervision and strict timetables.

On average scale, journeymen bring in lower salaries than service electricians. In fact, they earn a $49 lower salary per year.By looking over several service electricians and journeymen resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "electrical systems," "electrical equipment," and "hand tools." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from service electrician resumes include skills like "customer service," "ladders," "nec," and "electrical components," whereas a journeyman is more likely to list skills in "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "safety procedures," and "safety regulations. "

Journeymen make a very good living in the construction industry with an average annual salary of $62,379. On the other hand, service electricians are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $62,044.journeymen typically earn similar educational levels compared to service electricians. Specifically, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Service electrician vs. Plumber helper

Plumber helpers typically earn lower pay than service electricians. On average, plumber helpers earn a $13,838 lower salary per year.While both service electricians and plumber helpers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like ladders, hand tools, and plumbing, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "customer service," "electrical systems," "nec," and "electrical equipment" are skills that commonly show up on service electrician resumes. On the other hand, plumber helpers use skills like cast iron, pex, sewer lines, and hot water heaters on their resumes.In general, plumber helpers earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $44,138. The highest-paying industry for a service electrician is the energy industry.plumber helpers reach similar levels of education compared to service electricians, in general. The difference is that they're 3.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of service electrician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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