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The differences between substation electricians and electrician technicians 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 electrician technician. Additionally, a substation electrician has an average salary of $67,906, which is higher than the $57,813 average annual salary of an electrician technician.
The top three skills for a substation electrician include CDL, transformers and circuit breakers. The most important skills for an electrician technician are PLC, hand tools, and electrical systems.
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.
The main duties of an electrical technician involve the assembly, evaluation, testing, and maintenance of electronic or electrical wiring and equipment. Sometimes, electrical technicians can take the role of electrical engineers or electricians. They may perform the duties of residential, telecommunications, and inside electricians. They may also work on-site for the efficient functionality of specialty equipment and machinery. The technicians are expected to have mechanical aptitude, reading comprehension, problem-solving skills, and customer service skills.
Substation electricians and electrician technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Substation Electrician | Electrician Technician | |
| Average salary | $67,906 | $57,813 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $98,000 | Between $42,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Atwater, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Nabors Industries |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a substation electrician and an electrician technician in terms of educational background:
| Substation Electrician | Electrician Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 42% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between substation electricians' and electrician technicians' demographics:
| Substation Electrician | Electrician Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5% | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |