what is an electrician?
An electrician is a skilled craftsman who works on electrical wiring for buildings and other structures. For safety reasons, it's essential to prevent risks with electrical wiring and components. A poor wiring system is hazardous and could eventually lead to an injury or fire. This position requires you to know safety measures, have solid math and mechanical skills, and understand electrical tools and materials.
To start, electricians need a high school diploma or GED. You can attend a university or trade school to gather the knowledge, experience, and certifications you'll need to start working. Going to school isn't required, but some states allow you to count parts of your education as on-the-job training.
Next, you'll apply for an apprenticeship through a trade school, union, or non-union contractor. You'll engage in classes and job site training while a master electrician mentors you. Once you've gathered enough experience, you'll take an exam to get certified.
You'll become a journeyman once you're working independently without supervision. After working independently for several years, you'll earn the master electrician title. A master electrician trains apprentices and has the skills to work virtually anywhere.
You'll have steady work as an electrician to install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. In addition, some electricians continue to study and work on specialty electrical systems, such as ships, airplanes, and other mobile structures.
With data and computing technologies growing, electricians also find work on data and cable lines. There are frequent job openings due to the growth in construction and vacancies resulting from retirement, promotions, etc.
Would working as an electrician suit your aptitude for mechanics and knowledge of electrical components? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an electrician role.
electrician jobs near youaverage electrician salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians earn an average of $60,000 per year. Pay ranges from $37,000 on the lowest end to $99,000 at the highest. Government workers earn some of the highest salaries.
An electrician's salary usually depends on experience level. For instance, an apprentice's salary is considerably less than that of a journeyman or master electrician, but so are the risks. The master electrician and the journeyman determine the pay the apprentice will receive when making the contract.
The nature of electrical work is hazardous. Specific jobs require different levels of precision compared to others, and there is no room for error. A higher difficulty level usually results in a higher payment due to higher risks.
Some industry sectors also pay electricians more due to the complexity of their work. For instance, electricians working in manufacturing industries repairing motors and transformers are likely to earn more than installation electricians.
Wondering what you can earn as an electrician? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of an electrician is.
types of electricians
An electrician goes through an apprenticeship, followed by journeyman and master electrician roles. You'll choose one of these five specialties in the field:
- installation electrician: as an installation electrician, you install and lay down wiring fixtures and equipment. You'll install wires to commercial buildings and residences and connect them to transformers and breakers. You also make sure the connections are safe.
- outside lineman: an outside lineman works on power lines, both overhead and underground. Your job is to repair and install electrical lines. You also check meters to ensure they work properly.
- automotive electrician or auto electrician: your job involves wiring ignition systems, heating and air conditioning systems, and anti-lock brakes to ensure they work properly.
- industrial electrician: you ensure electrical components in a manufacturing company function properly. You'll perform installation and maintenance duties.
- maintenance electrician: you focus on keeping electrical systems up to standard in commercial, residential, and industrial settings. Expect to test voltages and repair faulty wiring.
working as an electrician
Most people know the basics of working as an electrician. However, many don't realize that it's a physically demanding job. If you're looking for a career to keep yourself busy and are willing to put in some hard work, this is a good fit.
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electrician job description
Wondering what does an electrician do? Some of the daily tasks of include:
- installing wiring, lighting systems, and controls: almost every building has electrical wiring installed during construction that requires regular maintenance. As an electrician, you install the wiring systems responsible for controlling lighting, communication, and power supply.
- maintaining wiring and electrical systems: as an electrician, you maintain the wiring systems in existing buildings. That means you need to identify problems in the wiring and repair or replace faulty wires.
- reading blueprints and technical diagrams: your job involves reading blueprints and technical diagrams to identify the location of circuits and outlets. Understanding technical drawings is important when repairing industrial machines or maintaining wiring systems in buildings.
- planning and preparing work orders or instructions: when you work in a team, you need a work order to ensure you cover all aspects of the project. You prepare work orders from blueprints and technical drawings during the installation or maintenance process.
- conducting all safety procedures: electrical work is dangerous and can cause severe accidents. Before you commence work, you'll need to ensure safety measures. For instance, you must test equipment for working at height and ensure workers have the appropriate personal protective equipment for the job.
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electrician work environment
Your work environment depends on the job you are performing. Electricians usually work through a contractor or in-house, depending on the company's size and the necessary work. Therefore, the specialty you choose determines the environment you work in. Depending on the specific task, your work setting is either outside or indoors. You may need to climb ladders and carry heavy equipment to prospective locations on a construction site. Due to the risks involved in the job, you need to put on personal protective equipment like rubber-insulated sleeves and gloves, hard hats, and safety shoes.
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who are your colleagues?
As an electrician, you can work in manufacturing and service companies that serve residential and commercial clients. Your colleagues may include electrical technicians and electrical engineers. Depending on the industry, you'll work with experts in the field such as architectural technologists, HVAC technicians, and CAD designers. You may also work alongside security systems installers and lift engineers as well as other specialists like unit production managers, automotive electricians, factory managers, and general laborers.
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work schedule
An electrician generally works between 30 and 40 hours a week. However, you can work overtime in certain circumstances. For example, if a project's completion deadline is drawing near, you'll likely need to put in extra hours. Part-time opportunities are also available, and you can work on a project basis. As an electrician, you need to provide your service in person, meaning remote work is impossible.
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job outlook for electricians
An electrician's primary job outlook is to gain experience and master their trade. When you start as an apprentice, the goal is to build your skills and become a journeyman and master electrician. When you have top-level experience, you can move into consultant roles. Alternatively, you can specialize in specific roles like automotive electrician, maintenance electrician, and outside lineman. Some electricians improve their expertise in green energy installation to become solar electrical engineers.
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benefits of working for randstad as an electrician
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as an electrician is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
electrician skills and education
Some of the ways of becoming an electrician include:
- college: pursuing a college course equips you with practical skills and technical knowledge for the role. You can learn about tools, blueprints, technology, electrical theory, and more from a trade school.
- apprenticeship: through apprenticeship programs, you gain training and experience with a journeyman and master electrician. An apprentice should accumulate several hundred hours of on-the-job experience before becoming a journeyman. Contractors and business owners prefer experienced electricians.
- work experience: when you have post-secondary qualifications, you need to improve your experience levels to succeed in the role. Internships and vocational programs give you relevant experience.
skills and competencies
You need the following hard skills and soft skills to succeed in an electrician role:
- technical electrician skills: as an electrician, you need technical skills to complete your work. Apart from safety knowledge, electricians should have standard skills in installing cables, using power tools, and repairing equipment.
- teamwork skills: as an electrician, you need some essential soft skills such as teamwork skills like communication and patience. People skills help you collaborate with others during a project. You can provide clear instructions and listen to constructive feedback from other team members.
- problem-solving skills: as an electrician, you face multiple challenges that should be resolved promptly. You need problem-solving skills to rectify the problems and avoid further issues.
- physical skills: as an electrician, you need physical strength to lift heavy weights, climb ladders and scaffolding, or stand for an extended period. Physical fitness reduces the chances of injury. Good vision is also crucial due to the color-coded nature of electrical wiring.
FAQs about working as an electrician
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about electricians.
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what kind of math do electricians use?
When doing measurements and calculations for a job, you’ll use basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. It’s also helpful to understand trigonometry, the type of math that deals with angles, as well as geometry for some electrician tasks. Don’t worry if some areas of math seem foreign to you. Internships and trade schools will introduce the necessary math with an electrician-specific focus.
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do electricians make a lot?
An electrician earns about $60,000 per year. Earnings depend on experience level and transferable skills.
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what type of electrician gets paid the most?
Marine, industrial, and avionics electricians usually earn higher salaries due to the complexity and specialized nature of the work.
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why are electricians in high demand?
The demand for electricians is growing because there is an increasing demand for electricity. The U.S. is the second-largest consumer of energy in the world. Furthermore, global electricity consumption increased in 2021 after dipping in 2020 due to the pandemic. With consumers using more electricity, especially for EV charging and solar applications, more electricians are needed to handle installations, maintenance, and more.
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how do you prepare for an electrician career?
To become a professional electrician, you'll ultimately want to obtain the proper licensing and certification for your city/state. You can prepare for licensure by attending a trade or vocational-technical school after getting your high school diploma. This can help you get ready for your apprenticeship, which you must complete to become a licensed electrician.
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how do I find a job as an electrician?
Applying for an electrician job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our electrician jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
