Seeking a rewarding, in-demand, and hands-on career? If so, then it may be time to consider becoming an electrician. This valuable trade continues to see promising growth—with the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting a 6% increase in demand nationwide from 2022 to 2032. Not to mention, you don’t need to spend years upon years in school to break into the field.
Could a career as an electrician be right for you? First, gain a better understanding of what this line of work entails and how to go about becoming an electrician.
What Is an Electrician?
Although it’s commonly understood that electricians are professionals who help install, maintain, and repair electrical systems, here are more of the specifics:
Definition and Role in Various Industries
Electricians handle just about everything related to installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems, including lighting and control systems. They may work in residential, commercial, or even industrial electrical—though most choose one area and more-or-less stick to it.
The exact roles and responsibilities of an electrician can vary based on job title, location, level of experience, and other factors. However, common duties of an electrician on a daily basis may include:
- Installing wiring, lighting systems, and control systems for clients.
- Performing inspections of electrical systems, including circuit breakers and transformers.
- Adhering to state and local building regulations per the National Electrical Code for safety and compliance.
- Replacing damaged or defective wiring, electrical systems, or lighting fixtures
- Reading technical diagrams or blueprints for new construction.
- Using special tools (such as voltmeters and thermal scanners) to identify and repair problems within electrical systems.
Electricians can work in a wide variety of settings, ranging from construction sites and existing residences to commercial buildings and factories. Typically, electricians commute to different job sites each day and may occasionally need to work in cramped spaces or at heights.
Career Path of an Electrician
If a career as an electrician sounds appealing, you would need to fulfill some education and training requirements as well as on-the-job training or electrical apprenticeships.
H3: Education and Training Requirements
In the U.S., all licensed electricians must hold a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (like a GED). However, many aspiring electricians also benefit from a training or education program through a technical or vocational school. These diploma programs can generally be completed in a year or less and cover core topics like safety practices, basic circuitry, and industry best practices.
While not required, completing a technical diploma program can provide aspiring electricians with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field. These programs can also prepare students to take state licensing exams. Exact licensing requirements may vary from state to state, but most do require some form of testing and licensing before an electrician is permitted to practice.
Apprenticeship Programs and On-the-Job Training
For those who choose to forego a formal education or electrical training program, there is also the option to complete an electrical apprenticeship as a means of gaining necessary experience and knowledge to work in the field.
Usually, electrical apprenticeships last anywhere from four to five years. During an apprenticeship, aspiring electricians work alongside an experienced and knowledgeable apprentice electrician who walks them through their everyday work. By the end of an apprenticeship program, you may rack up anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 hours of hands-on training that can help prepare you for the realities of the industry.
Often, apprenticeships are paid opportunities and can be an ideal way to prepare for your licensing exam while gaining valuable field experience. In some cases, employers may still want to provide some level of on-the-job training once you’re licensed and hired, too.
Skills and Qualities of Successful Electricians
In addition to the right education and training, you’ll want to possess some basic qualities and technical skills in order to find success as an electrician.
Technical Skills and Knowledge
Working as an electrician is highly technical, so you should be proficient in:
- Installing and maintaining electrical systems, including running cables, tubing, and conduits.
- Mathematics (especially calculations used to determine voltage and power).
- Reading and deciphering blueprints and electrical diagrams.
- Safety standards, procedures, and best practices set forth in the National Electric Code as well as local electrical codes.
Problem-Solving Abilities and Attention to Detail
Along with the above technical skills, the most successful electricians tend to hone certain soft skills. Strong problem-solving abilities, for example, is essential in a career as an electrician because these professionals must often troubleshoot complex systems. For any given issue, there could be dozens of potential causes that electricians use their problem-solving and analytical skills to pinpoint.
Likewise, electricians should be thorough and detail-oriented. All it takes is one small mistake working on an electrical system to create major safety risks, so electricians must be aware and focused on their work at all times.
Job Responsibilities of Electricians
The everyday job responsibilities of electricians can vary depending on their exact role, the setting in which they work, and their level of experience.
Typical Tasks and Duties
On any given day, most electricians may be expected to regularly carry out the following basic tasks and duties:
- Commute to job sites.
- Diagnose electrical issues.
- Perform repairs on electrical systems and components.
- Test electrical systems to check for signs of problems.
- Maintain electrical components (e.g., circuit breakers, fuses, and transformers).
- Install new electrical wiring, control systems, fixtures, and related equipment.
- Document new installations, repairs, or other services performed on electrical systems.
- Collaborate with other trade professionals (e.g., contractors, engineers, and architects on larger projects).
- Communicate with clients (e.g., homeowners and business owners) about the need for electrical repairs or services.
Importance of Safety and Compliance
Safety is the top priority for any electrician on a job site. Working with electrical systems is inherently risky, leaving little margin for error. Without proper safety training, electricians could suffer from accidents that could result in serious injury or even death.
With this in mind, safety should remain at the forefront of every action an electrician takes while on the job. Electricians are trained to follow safety best practices and compliance regulations, such as:
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), like non-conductive shoes.
- Using lockout tags when working on equipment.
- Avoiding working in wet conditions.
- Consistently following local electrical codes and the National Electrical Code.
Journeyman Electrician Careers
If you’ve been researching electrician careers, there’s a good chance you have stumbled across the term “journeyman electrician” a time or two. So, what exactly does the work of a journeyman electrician career entail?
Advancing From Apprentice to Journeyman
A journeyman electrician has completed their training and/or apprenticeship but has yet to become fully licensed as an electrician. These professionals have at least 8,000 hours of hands-on training under their belts and have obtained a separate journeyman license, which allows them to work independently on numerous projects.
To put journeyman electrician careers and roles into perspective, there are essentially three “rungs” on the career ladder:
- Master electrician
- Journeyman electrician
- Electrical apprentice
Roles and Responsibilities of Journeyman Electricians
Journeyman electricians can work independently with some limitations. Typically, they can perform basic service work, such as installing new fixtures or completing simple repairs. However, larger or more extensive projects may require supervision by a master electrician.
Benefits of Pursuing Electrician Careers
If you enjoy working in a hands-on environment where no two days on the job are precisely the same, there are various potential benefits of pursuing a career as an electrician.
H3: Opportunities for Specialization and Growth
Another appealing aspect of the electrical field is that there is great potential for specialization and advancement. No matter where your specific interests may lie, there’s a good chance you can pursue additional specializations, electrical certifications, or licenses to take your career to the next level and differentiate yourself.
Career Outlook and Demand for Electricians
The demand for electricians and overall electrical industry growth is promising. However, specific job market trends and prospects can vary based on the location, particular job title, and more.
Electrical Job Market Trends and Growth Prospects
As more buildings are constructed across the globe, it only makes sense that there will be an ongoing need for experienced electricians to help ensure these new construction projects have reliable power. Meanwhile, advancements in new energy initiatives (such as wind and solar power generation) are creating additional jobs for those with the right education and training.
Factors Influencing Job Opportunities
Additionally, other factors can influence job and advancement opportunities for electricians, including their specific level of experience and the type of electrical work they perform (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.). Demand for electricians can also vary by state and region. For instance, in densely populated areas with more buildings, there may be an inherently higher demand for electricians than in rural areas with fewer buildings.
Ready to Pursue a Career as an Electrician?
Becoming an electrician can be a highly fulfilling career path for those who enjoy working with their hands, solving problems, and improving the lives of others. Plus, with help from the right electrical training programs, you could enter the job market in as little as a year.
Looking to kickstart your career as an electrician? Florida Technical College is proud to provide an Electrical Diploma Program that can be completed in as little as nine months. Our Electrical Program with Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) can equip you with specialized knowledge to take your education even further.
Reach out to learn more about any of the electrical diploma programs we offer, or feel free to get started with your application today.
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
Sources
https://ftccollege.edu/program/diploma/electrical-diploma-english/
https://ftccollege.edu/program/diploma/electrical-with-plc-diploma-english/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm
https://www.necanet.org/
https://www.esfi.org/workplace-safety/industry-codes-regulations/the-national-electrical-code-nec/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-6
