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Electrician
Skilled TradesYou'll crawl through attics in July, diagnose wiring that hasn't been touched since 1972, and explain to homeowners why their DIY electrical work is a fire hazard. The pay is solid, the work is physical, and you'll never be bored — or clean.
Salary Range
Low
$40k
Median
$62k
High
$99k
10-Year Growth
11%
US Workers
739K
Education
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + state license
Environment
outdoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Multimeters & oscilloscopes
- ▸Wire strippers & conduit benders
- ▸Blueprint & schematic reading
- ▸National Electrical Code (NEC)
- ▸Circuit design & load calculations
- ▸Panel box installation
- ▸Low-voltage & data cabling
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Problem solving
- ▸Attention to detail
- ▸Physical stamina
- ▸Spatial reasoning
- ▸Safety awareness
- ▸Communication
Would You Survive as a Electrician?
5 real scenarios. Honest answers only. We'll tell you if you'd make it — or if you should run.
What you'll actually do
- 01Read and interpret blueprints and technical diagrams
- 02Install and repair electrical wiring and systems
- 03Test circuits with multimeters and oscilloscopes
- 04Ensure all work meets local electrical codes
- 05Troubleshoot why the breaker keeps tripping (it's always the homeowner's space heater)
- 06Pull wire through walls, ceilings, and crawlspaces that weren't built for humans
- 07Quote jobs and explain costs to confused clients
Career Path
Where this role sits in the bigger picture — and where it can take you.
Electrician's Helper
Entry·0–1 yr·Basic tool knowledge
$28k–$35k
Apprentice Electrician
Entry·1–4 yrs·Apprenticeship enrollment
$35k–$50k
Journeyman Electrician
YOU ARE HEREMid-Career·4–8 yrs·Journeyman license
$50k–$75k
Master Electrician
Senior·8–12 yrs·Master electrician license
$75k–$99k
Electrical Contractor / Business Owner
Leadership·12+ yrs·Contractor license + business acumen
$90k–$200k+
Related Shifts
Think this could be you?
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