Electricians

Summary

Electricians inspect electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers.

Quick Facts: Electricians
2010 Median Pay	$48,250 per year $23.20 per hour
Entry-Level Education	High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Apprenticeship
Number of Jobs, 2010	577,000
Job Outlook, 2010-20	23% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	133,700

What Electricians Do

Electricians install and maintain electrical systems in homes, businesses, and factories.

Work Environment

Electricians work indoors and out, in nearly every type of facility. Almost all electricians work full time, which may include evenings and weekends. Although the work is not as dangerous as some other construction occupations, common risks include electrical shocks and burns, cuts, and falls.

How to Become an Electrician

Although most electricians learn through a formal apprenticeship, some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require licensure.

Pay

The median annual wage of electricians was $48,250 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of electricians is projected to grow 23 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Homes and businesses require more wiring than ever before, and electricians will be needed to install the necessary components.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of electricians with similar occupations.

O*NET

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about electricians by contacting these additional resources.

What Electricians Do About this section

Electricians often cap wires before installing an outlet.

Electricians install and maintain electrical systems in homes, businesses, and factories.

Duties

Electricians typically do the following:

• Read blueprints or technical diagrams before doing work
• Install and maintain wiring and lighting systems
• Inspect electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers
• Identify electrical problems with a variety of testing devices
• Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures using hand tools and power tools
• Follow state and local building regulations based on the National Electric Code
• Direct and train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring or equipment

Almost every building has an electrical system that is installed during construction and maintained after that. Electricians do both the installing and maintaining of electrical systems.

Installing electrical systems is less complicated than maintaining older equipment. This is because it is easier to get to electrical wiring during construction. Maintaining older equipment, however, involves identifying problems and repairing malfunctioning equipment that is sometimes difficult to reach. Electricians doing maintenance work may need to fix or replace outlets, circuit breakers, motors, or robotic control systems.

Electricians read blueprints, which are technical diagrams of electrical systems that show the location of circuits, outlets, and other equipment. They use different types of hand and power tools, such as pipe benders, to run and protect wiring. Other commonly used hand and power tools include screwdrivers, wire strippers, drills, and saws. While troubleshooting, electricians also may use ammeters, voltmeters, and multimeters to find problems and ensure that components are working properly.

Many electricians work independently, but sometimes they collaborate with others. For example, experienced electricians may work with building engineers and architects to help design electrical systems in new construction. Some electricians also may consult with other construction specialists, such as elevator installers and heating and air conditioning workers, to help install or maintain electrical or power systems. At larger companies, electricians are more likely to work as part of a crew; they may direct helpers and apprentices to complete jobs.

The following are examples of occupational specialties:

Inside electricians maintain and repair large motors, equipment, and control systems in businesses and factories. They use their knowledge of electrical systems to help these facilities run safely and efficiently. Some also install the wiring for businesses and factories that are being built. To minimize equipment failure, inside electricians often perform scheduled maintenance.   

Residential electricians install wiring and troubleshoot electrical problems in peoples’ homes. Those who work in new-home construction install outlets and provide access to power where needed. Those who work in maintenance and remodeling repair and replace faulty equipment. For example, if a circuit breaker is tripped, electricians determine the reason and fix it.

Work Environment About this section

Electricians wear a variety of safety equipment to reduce their risk of injury.

Electricians held about 577,000 jobs in 2010, of which 62 percent were employed in the electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors industry. About 10 percent of electricians were self-employed.

Electricians work indoors and out, in homes, businesses, factories, and construction sites. They occasionally work in cramped spaces. Constant lifting, standing, and kneeling can be tiring. Those who work in factories are often subject to noisy machinery. Some may need to travel long distances to get to jobsites.

Injuries

Electricians have a higher-than-average injury and illness rate. The most common risks are electrical shocks and burns, but electricians also risk cuts, falls, and other common construction-related injuries. As a result, they must follow safety guidelines and wear protective clothing and safety glasses to reduce these risks. 

Work Schedules

Almost all electricians work full time, which may include evenings and weekends. During scheduled maintenance, inside electricians can expect to work overtime. Overtime is also common on construction worksites, where meeting deadlines is critical.

About 10 percent of electricians were self-employed in 2010. Self-employed workers may have the ability to set their own schedule.

How to Become an Electrician About this section

Most electricians learn their skills on the job.

Although most electricians learn through a formal apprenticeship, some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require licensure. 

Apprenticeship

Most electricians learn their trade in a 4-year apprenticeship. For each year of the program, apprentices must complete at least 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. In the classroom, apprentices learn electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. They also may receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators. Because of this comprehensive training, those who complete apprenticeship programs qualify to do both construction and maintenance work.  

After completing an apprenticeship program, electricians are considered to be journey workers and may perform duties on their own. 

Several groups, including unions and contractor associations, sponsor apprenticeship programs. The basic qualifications to enter an apprenticeship program are as follows:

• Minimum age of 18
• High school education or equivalent
• One year of algebra
• Qualifying score on an aptitude test
• Drug free

Some electrical contractors have their own training program. Although most workers enter apprenticeships directly, some start out as helpers. 

Education

Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to safety and basic electrical information. Graduates usually receive credit toward their 4-year apprenticeship. 

Electricians may be required to take continuing education courses. These courses usually involve instruction related to safety practices, changes to the electrical code, and training from manufacturers in specific products.

Licenses

Most states require licensure. Requirements vary by state. Contact your state's licensing agency for more information. 

Important Qualities

Color vision. Electricians need good color vision because workers frequently must identify electrical wires by color.   

Critical-thinking skills. Electricians perform tests and use the results to diagnose problems. For example, when an outlet is not working, they may use a multimeter to check the voltage, amperage, or resistance to determine the best course of action.

Customer-service skills. Electricians work with people on a regular basis. As a result, they should be friendly and be able to address customers’ questions.

Managerial skills. Some electricians must be able to direct others’ work as well as plan work schedules. Often, this work includes preparing estimates and other administrative tasks. 

Troubleshooting skills. Electricians find, diagnose, and repair problems. For example, if a motor stops working, they perform tests to determine the cause of its failure and then, depending on the results, fix or replace the motor.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of electricians was $48,250 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,400, and the top 10 percent earned more than $80,890.

The starting pay for apprentices usually is between 30 percent and 50 percent of what fully trained electricians make, receiving pay increases as they gain more skill.

About one-third of electricians are union members. Although there is no single union, the largest organizer for electricians is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.   

Almost all electricians work full time, which may include evenings and weekends. During scheduled maintenance, inside electricians can expect to work overtime. Overtime is also common on construction worksites, where meeting deadlines is critical.

About 10 percent of electricians were self-employed in 2010. Self-employed workers may have the ability to set their own schedule.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of electricians is expected to grow 23 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Homes and businesses need more wiring than ever before, and electricians will be needed to install the necessary components. Overall growth of the construction industry and maintenance of older equipment in manufacturing plants also will require more electricians. 

Alternative power generation, such as solar and wind, is an emerging field that should require more electricians for installation. Furthermore, electricians will be needed to link these alternative power sources to homes and power grids. Employment growth stemming from these sources, however, is largely dependent on government policy.

With greater efficiency and reliability of newer manufacturing plants, demand for electricians in manufacturing should be offset by the closing of old facilities. 

Job Prospects

Employment of electricians fluctuates with the overall economy. On the one hand, there is great demand for electricians during peak periods of building and manufacturing. On the other hand, workers may experience periods of unemployment when the overall level of construction falls. Inside electricians in factories tend to have the most stable employment. 

Electricians with the widest variety of skills should have the best job opportunities.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in this trade, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local electrical contractors or firms that employ maintenance electricians, or local union-management electrician apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor's toll-free help line, 1 (877) 872-5627, and Employment and Training Administration.

For information about union apprenticeship and training programs for electricians, visit

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and National Electrical Contractors Association’s National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee

For information about independent apprenticeship and training programs, visit

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.

National Association of Home Builders

National Center for Construction Education and Research