Electricians

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

Also called: Control Electrician, Electrical Journey Person, Electrical Troubleshooter, Electrician, Housing Maintenance Electrician, Industrial Electrician, Inside Wireman, Maintenance Electrician, Paper Mill Electrician, Wireman, Airport Electrician, Antenna Installer, Antenna Rigger, Commercial Electrician, Conduit Installer, Conduit Mechanic, Construction Electrician, Conventional System Lightning Protection Technician, Diesel Electrician, Diesel Maintenance Electrician, Electric Sign Wirer, Electric Stop Installer, Electric Wirer, Electrical Installer, Electrical Journeyman, Electrical Maintenance Man, Electrical Maintenance Worker, Electrical Sign Servicer, Electrical Sign Wirer, Electrical System Specialist, Electrical Wirer, Electrical Wiring Lineman, Gaffer, Ground Wirer, House Wirer, Interior Electrician, Interior Wirer, Journeyman Electrician, Journeyman Lineman, Licensed Electrician, Lighting Fixture Installer, Lightning Protection Installer, Lightning Protection Technician, Lightning Rod Installer, Lineman, Low Voltage Technician (Low Voltage Tech), Marine Electrician, Mine Wirer, Neon Electrician, Neon Installer, Neon Light Installer, Neon Sign Erector, Neon Sign Installer, Neon Sign Mechanic, Neon Sign Servicer, Neon Sign Worker, Neon Technician, Overhead Worker, Plant Electrician, Production Machinery Electrician, Protective Signal Repairer, Residential Electrician, Residential Wireman, Searchlight Operator, Service Electrician, Shift Electrician, Ship and Boat Electrician, Ship Wirer, Sign Wirer, Signal Wirer, Solar Electrician, Solar Photovoltaic Electrician, Stage Electrician, Street Light Mechanic, Street Light Repairer, Street Light Servicer, Street Light Wirer, Switch Inspector, Switchboard Installer, Television Antenna Installer, Temporary Services Electrician, Test Man, Test Worker, Traffic Signal Mechanic, Traffic Signal Technician, Water Transport Electrician, Wire Hanger, Wirer, Wiring Mechanic

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
Maintain current electrician's license or identification card to meet governmental regulations.
Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.
Direct or train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
Test electrical systems or continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using testing devices, such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.

Skills, machines and equipment

Troubleshooting
Repairing
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Installation
Quality Control Analysis
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Monitoring
Coordination

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate (61.71% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

49,430–83,940 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 47-2111.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build troubleshooting, preventive-maintenance, and controls experience; explore senior technician, maintenance planning, or lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate (61.71% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Electricians