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Construction Electrician
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Electrician Job Description

Are you good at problem-solving and love working with your hands? Consider becoming an electrician. It’s a career that offers day-to-day variety, a good salary and room to grow. 

Electricians install and repair wiring in all kinds of buildings, from homes to commercial buildings to industrial factories. (Most electricians choose a specialty.) They identify problems and test equipment, learning new skills as they go. In fact, the drive to learn new skills is a must-have quality in this line of work. 

It’s a career with many stages and opportunities to earn while you learn. For example, in a typical five-year apprenticeship program, trainees receive around 2,000 hours of paid training each year. (We describe the process in more detail below.) 

And did we mention there’s a need for electricians? Companies are actively looking for employees. It will take time to earn a journeyman license — four to five years — but that effort will reward you. Stay focused and your hard work will pay off!

Keep reading to learn more about how to prepare for this in-demand job.

An electrician installs wiring
An electrician may rewire a home one day and install a fuse box in a factory the next. (Credit: guruXOX/Shutterstock)

Responsibilities

  • Install, maintain and repair wiring
  • Troubleshoot electrical issues
  • Plan electrical systems
  • Inspect and maintain circuit breakers and transformers
  • Translate circuit diagrams and blueprints 
  • Test systems
  • Maintain safety and follow all laws and building codes

Why Enter an Electrician Apprenticeship Program?

Becoming an apprentice electrician is the clearest path to pursuing a career as an electrician. 

The benefits of an electrician apprenticeship program are numerous and can be attractive to those looking for a rewarding and challenging career.

An electrician apprenticeship program provides individuals with the opportunity to learn valuable skills that can be applied throughout their career. 

The apprenticeship program offers a combination of classroom learning and hands-on training, giving apprentices the chance to develop a broad range of skills.

In addition, an electrician apprenticeship program is often a paid position, allowing apprentices to earn money while they learn. 

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who want to start their careers without incurring significant debt.

Overall, getting an electrician apprentice job is a great way to learn valuable skills and earn money while working towards a successful career as an electrician. 

Average Electrician Apprentice Salary

The average electrician apprentice salary in the United States varies, depending on the state and region. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2020, the mean annual wage for electrician apprentices in the United States was $38,830, which translates to an hourly wage of $18.67. 

Electrician apprenticeship pay should increase as you progress and become a journeyman electrician. This is when you can earn a higher electrician apprenticeship salary and perform more difficult jobs.

How To Become an Electrician: FAQs

The bottom line:

As we’ve spelled out, becoming an electrician takes several years of focused training, but once you’ve learned the trade, the sky’s the limit. Electricians use their hands and their minds at a job that offers new situations and problems to solve. You certainly won’t be bored, and you’ll always be learning. If this sounds like a good fit for you, check below for training opportunities near you.

Being an electrician

Electrician Adolfo Terrero loves being an electrician. He does everything from installing breakers to re-wiring houses. He trained on-the-job and has been growing his career ever since. He sees himself becoming a manager at his company in the future.

“I’m so proud of my job," he says. "You can come back to the job site and can see people smiling, and it’s all because you did a really good job.” Watch the video and learn how Adolfo has transformed a job as an electrician into a career.

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