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
Median pay (national)
$62,350
$39,430–$106,030 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
742,580
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+9.5%
~81,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for electricians shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $106,030 versus $39,430 at the bottom 10% — 2.7x. The median of $62,350 leaves roughly 70% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +9.5% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 81,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, Oregon pays the most for this role (median $97,320, +56% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $33,370 — a 192% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
- Construct or fabricate parts, using hand tools, according to specifications.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Windows
- SAP software
- AVEVA InTouch HMI
- Construction Master Pro
- Craftsman CD Estimator
- Database software
- Electrosoft FlashWorks
- Elite Software E-Coord
- Elite Software Inpoint
- Elite Software Outpoint
- Elite Software Short
- Elite Software VDROP
- Insight Direct ServiceCEO
- Lighting calculation software
- One Mile Up Panel Planner
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Design
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Psychology