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The differences between substation electricians and lead electricians 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 a lead electrician. Additionally, a substation electrician has an average salary of $67,906, which is higher than the $56,709 average annual salary of a lead electrician.
The top three skills for a substation electrician include CDL, transformers and circuit breakers. The most important skills for a lead electrician are electrical equipment, 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.
A Lead Electrician is the one who does the maintenance, inspection, and repair, and installation of needed equipment and other electric-related things. They are the one who supervises and monitors the job of the Electrician, plans and takes action to every happening and problem that they can encounter. They also do the planning of schedule and the process of conducting an equipment check-up and maintenance. Also, they need to be knowledgeable when it comes to repairing and installing needed material and equipment.
Substation electricians and lead electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Substation Electrician | Lead Electrician | |
| Average salary | $67,906 | $56,709 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $98,000 | Between $38,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Vermont |
| Best paying company | - | Ameresco |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a substation electrician and a lead electrician in terms of educational background:
| Substation Electrician | Lead Electrician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between substation electricians' and lead electricians' demographics:
| Substation Electrician | Lead Electrician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5% | Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6% |
| 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, 8.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.2% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |