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Summary
What Electricians Do
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.
Work Environment
Almost all electricians work full time. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends. Overtime is common.
How to Become an Electrician
Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship, but some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require electricians to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for electricians was $62,350 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of electricians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 80,200 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for electricians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of electricians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O·NET
Learn more about electricians by visiting additional resources, including O·NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What Electricians Do
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories.
Duties
Electricians typically do the following:
* Read blueprints or technical diagrams
* Install and maintain wiring, control, and lighting systems
* Inspect electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers
* Identify electrical problems using a variety of testing devices
* Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures using handtools and power tools
* Follow state and local building regulations based on the National Electrical Code
* Direct and train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring or equipment
Almost every building has an electrical power, communications, lighting, and control system that is installed during construction and maintained after that. These systems power the lights, appliances, and equipment that make people's lives and jobs easier and more comfortable.
Installing electrical systems in newly constructed buildings is often less complicated than maintaining equipment in existing buildings because electrical wiring is more easily accessible during construction. Maintaining equipment and systems involves identifying problems and repairing broken equipment that is sometimes...