What Does an Electrical Supervisor Do?
An electrical supervisor oversees electrical installation and maintenance crews, ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, and according to specifications and electrical codes.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Coal Mine Production Foreman, Construction Foreman, Construction Supervisor, Field Operations Supervisor, Field Supervisor, Insulation Foreman, Roustabout Field Supervisor, Sheet Metal Foreman.
Electrical Supervisor Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of an electrical supervisor include:
- Supervise and coordinate the work of electrical crews on job sites
- Plan and schedule electrical installations, maintenance, and repairs
- Review blueprints and specifications to determine work requirements
- Inspect completed work to ensure compliance with codes and quality standards
- Order materials, tools, and equipment needed for projects
- Train and mentor apprentice and journeyman electricians
- Enforce safety protocols and conduct safety meetings
- Coordinate with general contractors, project managers, and other trades
- Prepare work schedules, progress reports, and budget estimates
- Troubleshoot complex electrical problems and provide technical guidance
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as an electrical supervisor, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Extensive knowledge of electrical systems and the National Electrical Code
- Leadership and crew management abilities
- Project planning and scheduling skills
- Strong communication for coordinating with multiple stakeholders
- Problem-solving skills for technical and personnel challenges
- Blueprint reading and electrical design knowledge
- Safety management and OSHA compliance knowledge
- Budget management and cost estimation skills
Education and Training
A journeyman or master electrician license with several years of field experience. Some positions require formal education in electrical technology or construction management. OSHA safety certifications are often required.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $63,400 - $101,460 per year, with a median of $79,920.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers.
BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers to grow about 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 67,000 openings a year. Experienced electrical supervisors are in strong demand as construction activity grows. This role can lead to electrical contractor, project manager, or construction superintendent positions.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers.
Electrical Supervisor Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $53,280 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $63,400 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $79,920 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $101,460 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $128,260 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 94% are on the phone every day
- 91% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 91% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 90% wear safety gear such as gloves, safety glasses or a hard hat every day
- 63% use email every day
- 63% usually work more than 40 hours a week
- 61% work around hazardous equipment every day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary certificate | 27% |
| Less than high school | 22% |
| High school diploma or GED | 21% |
| Associate's degree | 12% |
Tools and Software Electrical Supervisors Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy leading, persuading and making business decisions as well as organized work with data, records and clear procedures.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Coordination, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Management of Personnel Resources, Reading Comprehension.
Knowledge areas used most: Administration and Management, Building and Construction, Mechanical, Customer and Personal Service, English Language.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
Applying for an Electrical Supervisor Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 47-1011.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.