What Does an Electrician Do?
An electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical wiring, systems, and fixtures in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They ensure all work meets electrical codes and safety standards.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Control Electrician, Electrical Journey Person, Electrical Troubleshooter, Housing Maintenance Electrician, Industrial Electrician, Inside Wireman, Maintenance Electrician, Paper Mill Electrician.
Electrician Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of an electrician include:
- Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures
- Read blueprints, schematics, and technical diagrams to plan electrical installations
- Test electrical systems using tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and ammeters
- Inspect electrical components like circuit breakers, transformers, and wiring for safety
- Diagnose and troubleshoot electrical malfunctions and equipment failures
- Install and connect wiring for lighting, power, and control systems
- Run conduit and pull wire through walls, floors, and ceilings
- Ensure all installations comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local regulations
- Plan and coordinate electrical work with other construction trades
- Train and supervise apprentice electricians on job sites
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as an electrician, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- In-depth knowledge of electrical systems, codes, and safety standards
- Ability to read blueprints and technical schematics
- Troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
- Physical fitness for climbing, bending, and working in tight spaces
- Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
- Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Strong math skills for calculating loads and measurements
- Communication skills for coordinating with teams and clients
Education and Training
A high school diploma followed by completion of an electrician apprenticeship program (typically 4-5 years). Electricians must be licensed in most states, requiring a passing score on an exam covering the NEC and local codes. Journeyman and master electrician certifications demonstrate advanced competence.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $49,430 - $83,940 per year, with a median of $63,190.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Electricians.
Growth in renewable energy installations, electric vehicle infrastructure, and smart building technology is driving increased demand for skilled electricians.
Electrician Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $42,640 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $49,430 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $63,190 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $83,940 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $108,510 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as electricians about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 98% use their hands on tools, objects or controls for more than half the day
- 97% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 95% wear safety gear such as gloves, safety glasses or a hard hat every day
- 94% spend more than half the workday on their feet
- 91% bend or twist for more than half the day
- 81% are on the phone every day
- 66% work around hazardous equipment every day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary certificate | 62% |
| High school diploma or GED | 31% |
Tools and Software Electricians Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors as well as organized work with data, records and clear procedures.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Troubleshooting, Repairing, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Active Learning.
Knowledge areas used most: Building and Construction, Administration and Management, Mechanical, Mathematics, Design.
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 Electrician Job
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 47-2111.00 (Electricians). 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.