Electricians

Career summary

#match with 5626, no alt titles, nothing moved over, checked 3/14/19 lh

Electricians chose to work either in construction or maintenance. Many work in both. In general, construction electricians assemble and install electrical systems. Maintenance electricians maintain and repair systems.

Electricians may install fiber optic or coaxial cables for computers and telephones. They connect motors to electrical power. They may also install electronic controls for industrial equipment.

All electricians use tools such as:

• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Knives
• Hacksaws
• Power tools
• Voltmeters

When working on complex electronic devices, they may consult engineers or industrial machinery repairers. Some electricians have helpers. Electricians teach helpers how to complete tasks and supervise their work.

Construction electricians

Construction electricians read blueprints of circuits, outlets, and other equipment. Electricians use this information to plan how they will install the wiring.

When the wiring is finished, electricians test that all the circuits work properly. They follow the national electric code as well as state and local building codes when installing systems.

Maintenance electricians

Maintenance electricians keep electrical systems and equipment in good working order. They inspect equipment and fix any problems. They also check equipment for safety. They may install new electrical equipment.

When breakdowns occur, they work to find the problem and make the repair. They use equipment such as oscilloscopes to diagnose problems. They may change items such as circuit breakers, fuses, electrical components, or wire.

Related careers

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Aircraft Mechanics
• Automobile Mechanics
• Commercial Divers
• Electrician Helpers
• Elevator Installers and Repairers
• Heating and Cooling System Mechanics
• Industrial Electronics Repairers
• Millwrights
• Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
• Solar Panel Installers

Military careers

• Building Electricians
• Power Plant Electricians
• Ship Electricians

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to electricians.

• Install or connect conduit (piping), junction boxes, wiring, and electrical fixtures.
• Inspect and test electrical systems to diagnose problems and make sure they work.
• Test electronic components using ammeters, voltmeters, oscilloscopes, and other equipment.
• Plan layout and draw sketches of electrical systems.
• Read and follow blueprints to determine where to put wiring.
• Repair or replace faulty wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
• Follow federal, state, and local electrical and building codes when planning and conducting work.
• Train others to install, maintain, or repair electrical systems and parts.
• Use hand tools, power equipment, and measuring devices to get the job done.
• Keep records of work, bills, and supply orders.
• Work from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs to perform electrical work.
• Calculate cost of electrical work. Write cost estimates for clients.
• Maintain licensure and stay current on industry trends.
• Supervise assistants or helpers.

Common work activities

Electricians perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Handle and move objects
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Evaluate information against standards
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Teach others
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Process information
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Schedule work and activities
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Think creatively
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Perform for or work with the public
• Control machines and processes
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Document and record information

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, electricians:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a moderately high level of social contact. They explain tasks to helpers, but also work alone a lot of the time.
• Are responsible for the work outcomes of the people they supervise.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Write letters and e-mails monthly.
• Communicate with coworkers daily by telephone and in person.

Physical work conditions

• Work both indoors and outdoors. While outside, they are often undercover. They nearly always work without heating or air conditioning.
• Are often exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures. This depends on the time of year they are working outside.
• Are often exposed to hazardous conditions, equipment, and situations. They work with sharp tools and electricity that could potentially produce cuts or burns.
• Wear safety attire often, such as goggles or other protective clothing.
• Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are uncomfortable and distracting.
• Are often exposed to very bright or inadequate lighting conditions.
• Work in high places weekly. They climb ladders and work from roofs and scaffolding.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
• Work somewhat close to other people, such as when sharing office space.
• Often work in an enclosed vehicle.
• Need to get into awkward positions weekly when working in cramped work places, such as crawl spaces under floors.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be exact in their work. Errors could cause serious injuries to themselves or others.
• Work as part of a team. This is very important because they must coordinate their work with other subcontractors.
• Meet strict weekly deadlines.
• Work in a moderately competitive environment.
• Repeat the same physical tasks throughout the day.
• Make decisions that strongly impact their clients and affect the image of their company.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before making decisions and setting tasks.

Hours/travel

• Usually work 40 hours per week.
• May work overtime to meet deadlines.
• May work nights, weekends, and be on-call, if working as a maintenance electrician.
• Frequently travel to new job sites, if working as a construction electrician.

Physical demands

Electricians frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Climb ladders, scaffolds, or poles.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for electricians to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for electricians to be able to:

• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.

Skills and abilities

Electricians need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Repair machines or systems.
• Install equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Operate and control equipment.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Apprenticeship Programs
• Electrical and Power Transmission

Other programs of study to consider

• Building Construction Technology
• Construction Trades
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology
• Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair

Training

To work as an electrician, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete an apprenticeship program; and
• pass a state licensing exam.

Education after high school

Most electricians learn their skills through apprenticeship training programs. Union and non-union apprenticeship programs are available. Admission to apprenticeship programs is competitive. To apply for an apprenticeship, you must:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• be at least 18 years old; and
• be in good physical condition.

Apprenticeship programs usually consist of four years of on-the-job training. You are paid for the time you spend on the job. In addition, each year you receive at least 144 hours of classroom training.

To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities in your area, consult the US Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information  website.

You can prepare for an apprenticeship by taking courses at a professional-technical or two-year school. Courses in electronics, electricity, general math, and drafting prepare students to enter apprenticeship programs. However, these courses are not required to qualify for an apprenticeship.

On-the-job training

Some electricians receive informal on-the-job training from an experienced worker. Trainees usually begin as helpers. They learn to install conduit, connect wires, and test circuits. On-the-job training lasts several years.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be electricians. There are three different military occupations for electricians--building, power plant, and ship electricians. Training lasts from eight to 25 weeks, depending on your specialty. The longest training period is for ship electricians. Additional training occurs on the job.

If you receive this type of training in the military, you may earn credit for previous work experience when you enter a civilian apprenticeship program.

Washington apprenticeships

In Washington, entry-level electrician apprentices usually must:

• be at least 18 years old;
• have a high school diploma or equivalent, plus one year of high school or one quarter of college-level algebra with grade "C" or better;
• be a resident of the geographical area covered by the training program for at least one year;
• be physically able to perform the work; and
• score well on the electrical trades aptitude exam.

For further information on apprenticeships in Washington, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Apprenticeship Program 
PO Box 44530
Olympia, WA 98504-4530
360.902.5320

#Checked info 3/22/10 & 3/27/12 & 3/4/14, 4/5/16, 3/26/18 cj.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements . You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Carpentry
• Construction
• Electricity
• Electronics
• Industrial Arts
• Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer to hire electricians who have been through a formal apprenticeship program. However, some employers will hire helpers and train them to be electricians.

Employers look for applicants who are in good health. They also look for employees who can work without much supervision.

Tips

Opportunities may be better for training as maintenance electricians in automated manufacturing plants. Generally, workers in a plant can bid to work in the maintenance area and, through on-the-job training, can learn electrician skills. A background in electronics is important for becoming a maintenance electrician. People and computer skills are helpful in this occupation. Become familiar with the National Electric Code. Working in the construction trades is a good way to learn about this occupation. Take algebra and other math classes.

Costs to workers

Workers may need to pay for their own tools. Those who belong to a union must pay dues and an initiation fee.

Licensing/certification

Electrician apprentices must have a training certificate and work under the supervision of a licensed electrician. Electricians must be certified by the Department of Labor and Industries. Requirements for the journey-level certificate of competency are:

• 8,000 hours of practical experience under direct supervision of a journey-level electrician, of which 4,000 hours must be commercial/industrial work; or
• completion of a four-year apprenticeship program registered with the state apprenticeship council or the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training; or
• equivalent verified training or experience in the US military and pass a state electrical exam;
• After July 1, 2023 trainees must be registered with an approved apprenticeship program.

To maintain their license, electricians must complete 24 hours of continuing education course work every three years. Licensed electricians who wish to specialize must complete 4,000 hours of work or have equivalent experience or training in the US military and pass a specialty examination.

The testing company charges a per-hour fee for the examination.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Electrical Section 
PO Box 44460
Olympia, WA 98504-4460
360.902.5269

#added apprenticeship req, new url, removed fee info 1/27/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Electricians 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by type of work. In general, electricians who work in the motor vehicle industry earn more than those who work in construction. Pay also varies with the area of the country, the employer, and the worker's experience. Apprentices start at about half the wage of skilled workers but receive raises as their skills improve.

Full-time electricians may receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation. Those who work for small companies may need to provide their own insurance. 

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Over half of all electricians work in the construction industry. Because the need for electrical services is widespread, jobs for electricians are found in all parts of the country and almost all industries.

Major employers:

• Electrical contractors
• Temporary worker agencies
• Automobile manufacturers

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong. Electricians will be needed to install alternative energy sources such as wind and solar in homes and businesses. The increase of electronics in homes and offices also contributes to growth. 

Employment of electricians is sensitive to the state of the economy. Both construction electricians and motor vehicle electricians are affected by downturns in the economy. When construction and car buying decrease, these workers may work fewer hours or be laid off.

Many job openings will occur each year as current electricians retire or leave this occupation for other reasons.

Other resources

Electric League of the Pacific Northwest 
PO Box 50633
Bellevue, WA 98015
425.646.4727

Independent Electrical Contractors 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 
900 Seventh Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.833.7000

International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Workers 
2701 Dryden Road
Dayton, OH 45439
937.298.9984

National Association of Women in Construction 
327 South Adams Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104
800.552.3506
817.877.5551

National Electrical Contractors Association 
3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1100
Bethesda, MD 20814
301.657.3110

National Fire Protection Association 
1 Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02169
617.770.3000

National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee 
5001 Howerton Way, Suite N
Bowie, MD 20715
888.652.4007
301.715.2300

North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) 
815 16th ST, NW, Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20006

Puget Sound Chapter, NECA 
16001 Aurora Ave N., Ste 200
Shoreline, WA 98133
206.284.2150

Puget Sound Electrical Apprenticeship & Training Trust 
550 SW 7th Street
Renton, WA 98057
425.228.1777

Seattle City Light Apprenticeship Program 
206.386.1603

Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council 
906 Columbia Street SW, Suite 107
Olympia, WA 98501
360.357.6778

References

Career cluster

• Architecture and Construction

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Electricians (47-2111.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Airport Electrician (824.281-010) 
• Electrician (824.261-010) 
• Electrician (824.681-010) 
• Electrician (825.281-014) 
• Electrician (825.381-030) 
• Electrician Apprentice (825.381-034) 
• Electrician Apprentice (824.261-014) 
• Electrician, Maintenance (829.261-018) 
• Neon-sign Servicer (824.281-018) 
• Protective-signal Installer (822.361-018) 
• Protective-signal Repairer (822.361-022) 
• Street-light Repairer (729.381-018) 
• Street-light Servicer (824.381-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Electrician

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative
• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled