Electricians ensure that lighting, industrial equipment, and appliances are safe and reliable. There are many specialties that electricians can focus their career on, including:
An electrician is one of the best jobs for those with only a high school diploma or its equal. Experience is more valuable to the vocation than education level. Entry level electricians earn approximately $21.25 per hour, but wages increase thereafter. An Electrician with five to ten years’ experience earns on average $49,000 per year. The average yearly salary for all electricians across the United States is $54,000 per year. But, the average salary in large cities is around $85,000 per year. This is for a skilled, experienced electrician can earn upwards of six figures per year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth for electricians will be a 14% increase. Based on the need for wiring in homes and commercial premises, creating 85,900 new positions.
An electrician’s work environment varies. It may include buildings under construction, remodels, work on power and telecommunications systems. Electricians work with dangerous electrical wires and must take extra precaution. Electricians often work alone, but may also work as part of a larger team. Electricians have no regular place of work. An electrician may work on a job site for a single day or several months. It is not uncommon for an electrician to travel over 100 miles for work.
The field provides year-round job opportunities. An electrician’s hours vary depending on their role. For example, maintenance electricians usually have regular 40-hour work weeks. They don’t work weekends, holidays, or late nights. Independent contractors and junior electricians don’t have regular hours. Independent contractors may be busy one week and work few hours the next. On-call electricians work odd hours and extra hours to troubleshoot urgent problems.
An electrician is one of the best jobs available with only a high school diploma or its equal. Electricians complete on-the-job training through an apprenticeship program that lasts 4-5 years. Apprenticeship programs need 144 hours per year of technical training. This training includes blueprints, safety, electrical code requirements, mathematics, and electrical theory. They must have 2,000 yearly hours of practical on-the-job experience. Electricians attend a technical school and study basic electrical information, safety practices, and circuitry. Technical school graduates receive credit towards their apprenticeship program. Most states need electricians to hold a license. Each state’s licensure requirements are online[1]. Electricians receive ongoing training throughout their careers. They keep updated on changes to the electrical code, safety practices, and specific products.
