National
| Median wages (2008) |
$22.32 hourly, $46,420 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
705,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
234,000 additional employees |
47-2111.00 - 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Electrician, Maintenance Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Inside Wireman, Control Electrician, Electrician Technician, Industrial Electrician, Journeyman Wireman
Tasks
- Maintain current electrician's license or identification card to meet governmental regulations.
- Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
- Repair or replace wiring, equipment, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools.
- Assemble, install, test, and maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools.
- Test electrical systems and continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures, using testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, and oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.
- Use a variety of tools and equipment such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment including oscilloscopes, ammeters, and test lamps.
- Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment and fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.
- Inspect electrical systems, equipment, and components to identify hazards, defects, and the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.
- Direct and train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
- Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, and components, using test equipment and hand tools, to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Cable reels — Single reel cable trailers; Wheeled wire dispensers; Wire dollies; Wire hand caddies |
| Screwdrivers — Cabinet tip screwdrivers; Insulated screwdrivers; Round shank screwdrivers; Square shank screwdrivers |
| Stripping tools — Automatic insulation strippers; Self-adjusting insulation strippers; Universal stripping tools; Wire strippers |
| Voltage or current meters — Milliameters; Test lamps; Volt tick meters; Voltmeters |
| Wire or cable cutters — Cable butt trimmers; High-leverage cable cutters; Insulated cable cutters; Utility cable cutters |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Electrosoft FlashWorks; Elite ECOORD; Lighting calculation software; SoftEmpire Electrical Calculations |
| Computer aided design CAD software — One Mile Up Panel Planner; SmartDraw software |
| Data base user interface and query software — Insight Direct ServiceCEO; Resolve service management software; Sage Timberline Office software; Shafer Service Systems software |
| Project management software — Construction Master Pro software; Craftsman CD Estimator |
| Word processing software — Socrates Contractor's Library |
