Many electricians are capable of performing several types of electrical work to increase their job opportunities.

An electrician is any skilled craftsman who designs, installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems and products used in homes, businesses and factories. Electricians work inside and outside of buildings to ensure the safe and reliable operation of lights, industrial equipment and appliances. There are many special types of electricians, including residential electricians, who install wiring and solve electrical problems in homes, and in-house electricians, who maintain and repair control systems, motors and electrical equipment in businesses and factories.

 

Responsibility

 

As an electrician, you are responsible for delivering electricity from the source to where it can be used by individual and business consumers. Specific duties associated with this work may vary by area of expertise but may include：

 

1. Planning electrical systems for new buildings, including the optimal location of electrical outlets, light fixtures, heating outlets and ventilation systems.
2. Reading and interpreting architect blueprints, circuit diagrams and other technical documentation.
3. Installing wiring, lighting and control systems in new and existing buildings by municipal codes.
4. Forming circuits by connecting wires to components and fixtures and testing complete circuits.
5. Installing switches, circuit breaker panels, relays and other electrical control and distribution equipment.
6. Install hangers and brackets to support electrical products
7. Perform maintenance procedures to keep wiring, lighting, and control systems in good working order.
8. Inspect circuit breakers, transformers, and other electrical components for faults.
9. Use test equipment to identify causes of electrical product and system failures.
10. Repair, replace and upgrade faulty or obsolete electrical equipment, fixtures and wiring, including isolating faults for safe removal and replacement.
11. Train other electricians and instruct them in specific tasks.

 

Work Environment

 

Electricians may spend time working inside buildings under construction or renovation or outdoors on electrical and telecommunications systems. They may work in large spaces or cramped conditions. These work environments often involve live electrical wires, so they can be very dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Electricians often work independently on projects, but they may also be part of a larger construction team.

Unlike many employees who have a permanent work location, electricians work at remote sites for some time, ranging from one day to several months, before moving on to their next job. The work site may be far from the electrician's home. It is not uncommon for an electrician to travel 100 miles or more from home to complete a job.

 

Schedule

 

Electricians enjoy the opportunity to work year-round. Their hours vary depending on their role. Maintenance electricians usually have a regular job and they usually work 40 hours a week. Most keep regular hours on weekdays and usually do not work weekends, public holidays or late nights. Some electricians work on call and put in extra hours to solve emergency problems.

In contrast, independent electrical contractors and the junior electricians who work under them do not have such regular hours. They may have a busy schedule for the next few hours of the week. Working as an independent electrical contractor or consultant offers the most flexible schedule for an electrician.

 

 

What qualifications do I need to be an electrician?

 

Education

 

A job as an electrician is one of the best jobs you can get with just a high school diploma or equivalent.

Rather than going to school to earn a degree, electricians receive an education on the job. This usually lasts four or five years through an apprenticeship program. Apprentices must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and take a year of algebra afterward. They must also pass an aptitude test and a substance abuse screening exam.

During their apprenticeship, apprentice electricians must complete 144 hours of technical training per year in which they learn blueprints, safety and first aid practices, electrical code requirements, math and electrical theory. In addition, apprentices participate in 2,000 hours of practical work experience per year.

Less commonly, electricians attend technical schools. Their curriculum covers basic electrical information, safety practices, and electrical circuits. Graduates of technical schools usually receive credit for apprenticeship programs.

Most states in the United States require electricians to be licensed. The National Electrical Contractors Association website provides information about each state's licensing requirements.

Electricians often receive ongoing training throughout their careers. This helps them stay abreast of changes in electrical codes, new safety practices, and how to handle specific products.

 

Experience

 

Since electricians don't need a degree, their experience is more important than their level of education. That's why on-the-job experience is a major component of the National Apprenticeship Program. It is also the reason why experienced electricians are paid relatively higher salaries compared to new hires.

As a result, electricians with less than one year of experience make up only 2% of the workforce. The majority of electricians, 31% of the workforce, have 10 to 19 years of experience. 24% of electricians have at least 20 years of experience, 22% have 1 to 4 years of experience, and 21% have 5 to 9 years of experience.

This shows the value that the experience of an electrician brings to the role. Electricians who are passionate about their profession should find many opportunities in their careers.

 

Skills

 

Electricians rely on a variety of technical skills and personal attributes to stand out in their positions. While these attributes are not typically listed in electrician job descriptions, don't underestimate their appeal to hiring managers:.

 

• 1.Understanding of electrical standards- Electricians must meet all accepted standards for installation and repair.
• 2.Understanding of math and science principles - While electricians do not need advanced math and science skills, they will apply the basic principles of these disciplines to their work.
• 3.Good comprehension skills - These will help electricians interpret and understand the memos, blueprints and technical documents they receive at a new job site.
• 4.Sharp eyesight and hand-eye coordination- Working with electrical products, components, and systems is a precise task that requires steady hands and excellent vision.
• 5.Independent Worker - While an electrician may work as part of a larger construction team, this position is often a solo role for someone who enjoys working on their own.
• 6.Time Management - Electricians must get the job done to manage time and complete projects on time.
• 7.Focus on safety - Electricians work in a dangerous environment that puts them at risk of electric shock and burns, so care must be taken.
• 8.Critical thinking - After testing products and systems, electricians use the data they collect to diagnose problems and determine the best solutions.
• 9.Logical problem-solving skills - When electrical products and systems fail, electricians must think logically to find solutions to these problems.
• 10.Customer service skills - Being poised helps electricians deal with residential and commercial customers.
• 11.Physical endurance - Electricians are often required to stand or kneel for long periods, which can take a toll on the body.
• 12.Physical Strength - It is not uncommon for electricians to lift and carry heavy parts weighing up to 50 pounds.
• 13.Leadership - As electricians progress in their careers, they will be asked to manage apprentices and junior electricians in the workplace.

 

Expected Salary

 

How much do electricians make? It all depends on their level of experience and location. Entry-level electricians typically earn around $21.25 per hour. Early in an electrician's career, the pay increases dramatically. When electricians have 5 to 10 years of experience, they typically earn about $49,000 per year. The average salary is about $54,000 per year. However, in some of the most lucrative markets in the United States, electricians can earn even more. For example, electricians in Boston, Massachusetts earn an average salary of $86,000 per year; $80,000 in Chicago, Illinois; and $89,000 in Seattle, Washington.

 

Job Outlook for Electricians

 

Projected Growth

 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects better-than-national average job growth between 2014 and 2024. 85,900 new jobs for electricians were created during this period, a 14 percent increase in the job market. The bureau says increased demand for wiring in homes and commercial establishments will drive this increase. Many employers are already struggling to find qualified applicants, so electricians should choose favorable opportunities.

 

Career Trajectory

 

Many electricians are content with their positions and do not seek career advancement. If they do, they usually work in very similar jobs as certified electricians or journeyman electricians. These roles add $2,000 to $3,000 to an electrician's annual salary. Less commonly, electricians may become construction project managers, overseeing a group of electricians and other construction workers.

Strong job growth and the promise of a stable long-term career make electrician jobs very attractive to high school graduates. If you are a logical thinker with a talent for math and science, then becoming an electrician may be the best choice for you!

 

Professional Electrician Tools 

 

If you are ready to return to work after a workplace accident, excellent electrical tools are your best bet. Knoweasy tools are professional electrician tools that can meet the various needs of electricians when working and effectively improve the efficiency and safety of their work.