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Wiring technician vs journeyman electrician

The differences between wiring technicians and journeyman 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 wiring technician and a journeyman electrician. Additionally, a journeyman electrician has an average salary of $54,526, which is higher than the $38,136 average annual salary of a wiring technician.

The top three skills for a wiring technician include hand tools, safety procedures and control panels. The most important skills for a journeyman electrician are hand tools, electrical systems, and EMT.

Wiring technician vs journeyman electrician overview

Wiring TechnicianJourneyman Electrician
Yearly salary$38,136$54,526
Hourly rate$18.33$26.21
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs62,66718,411
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a wiring technician do?

Wiring technicians install and conduct maintenance on wiring in electronic products. They are responsible for ensuring that machines are in working condition, and they continuously review products to ensure only good products are released to customers. They must have the ability to understand wiring schematics.

What does a journeyman electrician do?

A journeyman electrician is responsible for performing various electrical tasks such as installation, repair, and maintenance. They have the freedom to provide services as part of a company or as an independent worker. Unlike an apprentice, a journeyman can work without any supervision from a master electrician. Furthermore, a journeyman electrician also has the responsibility to discuss the extent of repairs and explain to clients how to take better care of their appliances and electrical systems. A journeyman will also obtain the necessary supplies for a task and even train apprentices.

Wiring technician vs journeyman electrician salary

Wiring technicians and journeyman electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Wiring TechnicianJourneyman Electrician
Average salary$38,136$54,526
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $50,000Between $35,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CityEverett, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiVermont
Best paying companySchneider Electric Industrial ServicesMDU Resources
Best paying industryFinanceConstruction

Differences between wiring technician and journeyman electrician education

There are a few differences between a wiring technician and a journeyman electrician in terms of educational background:

Wiring TechnicianJourneyman Electrician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Wiring technician vs journeyman electrician demographics

Here are the differences between wiring technicians' and journeyman electricians' demographics:

Wiring TechnicianJourneyman Electrician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 86.9% Female, 13.1%Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between wiring technician and journeyman electrician duties and responsibilities

Wiring technician example responsibilities.

  • Install, manage, and troubleshoot CAT3, CAT5, CAT6, and fiber optic infrastructures throughout the greater Tulsa area.
  • Full knowledge of cable installation and repair including quad, cat5, cat6, coax, aerial and bury service wire.
  • Install IPTV systems in residences and businesses.
  • Establish and troubleshoot wireless and Ethernet networks.
  • Configure modems, routers and Ethernet switches.
  • Wire custom switchboards and panels per schematics and wiring diagrams
  • Show more

Journeyman electrician example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to retrofit outdate piece of CNC machinery to allow usage for production personnel on a new design part.
  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Rewire, install and perform preventative maintenance on electrical panels, switches and distribution systems.
  • Work on various PLC's, Allen-Bradley, GE, Omron, and Siemens.
  • Install electrical construction with in mall buildings, wiring lighting, bending EMT conduit, pulling wiring for new circuits.
  • Measure, cut, bend, thread, assemble and install electrical conduit, including EMT, rigid and PVC pipe.
  • Show more

Wiring technician vs journeyman electrician skills

Common wiring technician skills
  • Hand Tools, 25%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Control Panels, 5%
  • Fiber Optic, 5%
  • Electrical Components, 5%
  • Wire Harnesses, 4%
Common journeyman electrician skills
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Electrical Systems, 8%
  • EMT, 7%
  • Transformers, 7%
  • Electrical Components, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%

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