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The differences between substation electricians and apprentices electrician can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a substation electrician and an apprentice electrician. Additionally, a substation electrician has an average salary of $67,906, which is higher than the $38,799 average annual salary of an apprentice electrician.
The top three skills for a substation electrician include CDL, transformers and circuit breakers. The most important skills for an apprentice electrician are hand tools, run conduit, and EMT.
A Substation Electrician installs control panels and wiring systems, performs emergency repairs and regular maintenance on electrical substations delivering energy to the surrounding buildings and houses. The professionals work hand-in-hand with engineers and architects to create the substation's plan and layout. After completing the blueprints, the Substation Electricians can construct and install electrical equipment and wiring cabinets. Other duties performed may include testing, calibrating, and maintaining relays. They also operate various devices and troubleshoot transformers' issues and provide the right solutions.
An Apprentice Electrician is responsible for conducting electrical repairs and faults under the supervision and guidelines of a Master Electrician. The duties of an Apprentice will vary while still under training; however, it will mostly revolve around assisting the Master Electrician or carrying out given tasks. Furthermore, an Apprentice Electrician may be responsible for clearing out sites, carrying or loading materials, procuring required supplies, understanding and interpreting various types of blueprints, handling wiring systems, and coordinating with multiple workers, even including the clients.
Substation electricians and apprentices electrician have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Substation Electrician | Apprentice Electrician | |
| Average salary | $67,906 | $38,799 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $98,000 | Between $28,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Dell |
| Best paying industry | - | Construction |
There are a few differences between a substation electrician and an apprentice electrician in terms of educational background:
| Substation Electrician | Apprentice Electrician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between substation electricians' and apprentices electrician' demographics:
| Substation Electrician | Apprentice Electrician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5% | Male, 95.3% Female, 4.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |