Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between substation electricians and master 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 master electrician. Additionally, a substation electrician has an average salary of $67,906, which is higher than the $52,154 average annual salary of a master electrician.
The top three skills for a substation electrician include CDL, transformers and circuit breakers. The most important skills for a master electrician are electrical equipment, electrical systems, and switches.
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 Master Electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in private homes or commercial properties. They also supervise the work performed by journeymen, ensure proper staffing, and monitor the quality, as well as prepare and submit work documentation.
Substation electricians and master electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Substation Electrician | Master Electrician | |
| Average salary | $67,906 | $52,154 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $98,000 | Between $31,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | - | Vermont |
| Best paying company | - | Allegro MicroSystems |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a substation electrician and a master electrician in terms of educational background:
| Substation Electrician | Master Electrician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between substation electricians' and master electricians' demographics:
| Substation Electrician | Master Electrician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5% | Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7% |
| 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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.3% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |