### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Electricians Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			electricians imageElectricians connect a variety of fixtures to internal and external electricity sources.							
						Quick Facts:     Electricians2023     Median Pay
            						$61,590     per year
										$29.61     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    ApprenticeshipNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    762,600Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    6% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    49,200What Electricians Do
                                                
                        
                        
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Almost all electricians work full time. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends. Overtime is common.
            
                                                How to Become an Electrician
                                                
                        
Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship, but some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require electricians to be licensed.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for electricians was $61,590 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of electricians is projected to grow							 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 73,500 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for electricians.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of electricians with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about electricians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Electricians Do 
            

			ElectriciansElectricians often cap wires before installing an outlet.			
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories.
Duties
Electricians typically do the following:
Read blueprints or technical diagrams
Install and maintain wiring, control, and lighting systems
Inspect electrical components, such as transformers and circuit breakers
Identify electrical problems using a variety of testing devices
Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures using handtools and power tools
Follow state and local building regulations based on the National Electrical Code
Direct and train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring or equipmentAlmost every building has an electrical power, communications, lighting, and control system that is installed during construction and maintained after that. These systems power the lights, appliances, and equipment that make people’s lives and jobs easier and more comfortable.
Installing electrical systems in newly constructed buildings is often less complicated than maintaining equipment in existing buildings because electrical wiring is more easily accessible during construction. Maintaining equipment and systems involves identifying problems and repairing broken equipment that is sometimes difficult to reach. Maintenance work may include fixing or replacing parts, light fixtures, control systems, motors, and other types of electrical equipment.
Electricians read blueprints, which include technical diagrams of electrical systems that show the location of circuits, outlets, and other equipment. They use different types of handtools and power tools, such as conduit benders, to run and protect wiring. Other commonly used tools include screwdrivers, wire strippers, drills, and saws. While troubleshooting, electricians also may use ammeters, voltmeters, thermal scanners, and cable testers to find problems and ensure that components are working properly.
Many electricians work alone, but sometimes they collaborate with others. For example, experienced electricians may work with building engineers and architects to help design electrical systems for new construction. Some electricians may also consult with other construction specialists, such as elevator installersand heating and air conditioningworkers, to help install or maintain electrical or power systems. Electricians employed by large companies are likely to work as part of a crew; they may direct helpers and apprentices to complete jobs.
***Lineman electricians*** install distribution and transmission lines to deliver electricity from its source to customers; this occupation is covered in the line installers and repairersprofile.
 Work Environment
			ElectriciansElectricians wear a variety of safety equipment to reduce their risk of injury.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Electricians held about 762,600 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of electricians were as follows:
        Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors
                65%Self-employed workers
                8Manufacturing
                6Employment services
                4Government
                3Electricians work indoors and outdoors at homes, businesses, factories, and construction sites. Because electricians must travel to different worksites, local or long-distance commuting is often required.
On the jobsite, they occasionally work in cramped spaces. The long periods of standing and kneeling can be tiring. Electricians may be exposed to dirt, dust, debris, or fumes. Those working outside may be exposed to hot or cold temperatures and inclement weather. Those who work in factories are often subject to noisy machinery.
Electricians may be required to work at great heights, such as when working on construction sites, inside buildings, or on renewable energy projects.
Many electricians work alone, but sometimes they collaborate with others. Electricians employed by large companies are likely to work as part of a crew, directing helpers and apprentices to complete jobs.
Injuries and Illnesses
Working with electricity is dangerous. Electricians must take precautions to avoid getting hurt. Although accidents are potentially fatal, common injuries include electrical shocks, falls, burns, and other minor injuries.
To reduce these risks, workers must wear protective clothing and safety glasses. Electricians who are subject to loud noises, such as those in factories, must wear hearing protection.
Work Schedules
Almost all electricians work full time. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends. Overtime is common.
Self-employed electricians often work in residential construction and may be able to set their own schedule.
 How to Become an Electrician

			ElectriciansMost electricians learn on the job through an apprenticeship.			
Most electricians learn through an apprenticeship, but some start out by attending a technical school. Most states require electricians to be licensed. For more information, contact your local or state electrical licensing board.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is required to become an electrician.
Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.
Training
Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction.
Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing.
Technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. They may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.
Several groups, including unions and contractor associations, sponsor apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship requirements vary by state and locality.
Some electrical contractors have their own training programs, which are not recognized apprenticeship programs but include both technical and on-the-job training. Although most workers enter apprenticeships directly, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as a helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a preapprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.
After completing an apprenticeship program, electricians are considered to be journey workers and may perform duties on their own, subject to local or state licensing requirements.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most states require electricians to pass a test and be licensed. Requirements vary by state. For more information, contact your local or state electrical licensing board. Many of the requirements can be found on the National Electrical Contractors Association’s website.
The tests have questions related to the National Electrical Code and state and local electrical codes, all of which set standards for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment.
Electricians may be required to take continuing education courses in order to maintain their licenses. These courses are usually related to safety practices, changes to the electrical code, and training from manufacturers in specific products.
Electricians may obtain additional certifications, which demonstrate competency in areas such as solar photovoltaic, electrical generating, or lighting systems.
Electricians may be required to have a driver’s license.
Advancement
After meeting additional requirements and working as a qualified electrician, journey workers may advance to become master electricians. Electricians may also find opportunities to advance to supervisor or to other roles in project management.
Important Qualities
***Color vision*.** Electricians must identify electrical wires by color.
***Critical-thinking skills*.** Electricians perform tests and use the results to diagnose problems. For example, when an outlet is not working, they may use a multimeter to check the voltage, amperage, or resistance in order to determine the best course of action.
***Customer-service skills*.** Electricians work with people on a regular basis. They should be friendly and be able to address customers’ questions.
***Physical stamina.*** Electricians often need to move around all day while running wire and connecting fixtures to the wire.
***Physical strength.*** Electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds.
***Troubleshooting skills*.** Electricians find, diagnose, and repair problems. For example, if a motor stops working, they perform tests to determine the cause of its failure and then, depending on the results, fix or replace the motor.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                ElectriciansMedian annual wages, May 2023Electricians$61,590  Construction trades workers$52,000  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for electricians was $61,590 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,470, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,180.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for electricians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Government
                $73,960Manufacturing
                69,360Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors
                60,580Employment services
                53,670Apprentices receive less pay than fully trained electricians, but their pay increases as they learn to do more.
Almost all electricians work full time. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends and may vary during times of inclement weather. During scheduled maintenance or on construction sites, electricians should expect to work overtime.
Self-employed electricians often work in residential construction and may be able to set their own schedule.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               ElectriciansPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Electricians6%  Total, all occupations3%  Construction trades workers3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of electricians is projected to grow				 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 73,500 openings for electricians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Nearly every building has electricity. Electricians are needed to install and replace these power systems. Alternative power generation, such as solar and wind, is a growing field that should require more electricians for installation. Electricians will continue to be needed to link these alternative systems to homes and power grids over the projections decade. However, employment growth stemming from these alternative sources may depend on government provisions—such as credits, net metering, and tax incentives—that spur consumer demand by lowering installation costs.
			

                        Employment projections data for     electricians, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Electricians**
			47-2111
			762,600
			811,800
			6
			49,200
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Electricians **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of electricians. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians**
            Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft.
            See How to Become One
            $75,400**Drafters**
            Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings.
            Associate's degree
            $62,530**Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians**
            Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians help engineers design and develop equipment that is powered by electricity or electric current.
            Associate's degree
            $72,800**Electrical and Electronics Engineers**
            Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment.
            Bachelor's degree
            $109,010**Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers**
            Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment.
            See How to Become One
            $67,220**Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers**
            Elevator and escalator installers and repairers install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $102,420**Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers**
            Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $57,300**Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers**
            Electrical power-line installers and repairers install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $85,420**Solar Photovoltaic Installers**
            Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $48,800**Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers**
            Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $100,890
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in this trade, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local electrical contractors, firms that employ maintenance electricians, or local union-management electrician apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about apprenticeship and training programs for electricians, visit
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
Explore the Trades
Home Builders Institute
IBEW – NECA Electrical Training Alliance
Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
National Association of Home Builders
National Electrical Contractors Association
NCCER

Related BLS articles
*Career Outlook:* "Apprenticeships: Outlook and wages in selected occupations"

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Electricians
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Electricians, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm (visited *May 20, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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