Construction and extraction
Electrician
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.
Median pay
$63,190
Growth to 2035
+9%
faster than average
Openings a year
72,700
Time to qualify*
4.6 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Electrician
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- Prior experience
- None
- Required
- Journeyman electrician license exam (most states)
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Electrician: 35% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Control Electrician · Electrical Journey Person · Electrical Troubleshooter · Electrician · Housing Maintenance Electrician · Industrial Electrician · Inside Wireman · Maintenance Electrician
Outlook and AI
Electricians held 821,000 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 896,900 by 2035 (+9%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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