Electrical Jobs
The electrical field offers a diverse and rewarding career. And because of the shortage of skilled workers, it’s up to you, your abilities, and your drive and ambition how far you go.
You can start as a helper or apprentice and move on to journeyman electrician. Or you can continue your studies and move on into management; or into the office to become a project manager or estimator. In general, it’s up to you how far you go. Following are a sampling of the career opportunities that are available:
A Sample of Job Types
There are many career opportunities in the field of electricity and there is a shortage of qualified workers. Because society’s need for electricity continues to be on the increase, opportunities will exist into the future regardless of changing technologies. Below is a sampling of some of the more common jobs available in the electrical contracting industry.
Electrician’s Helper
Assists electricians by handling a bulk of the materials, caring for and organizing equipment.
Apprentice Electrician
Installs, alters, adds and/or repairs electrical systems, conductors and associated materials and equipment under the supervision of a journeyman electrician (while completing 2,000 of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction).
Journeyman Electrician
Installs, alters, adds and/or repairs electrical systems, conductors and associated materials and equipment. May work independently of direct technical supervision. Supervises apprentices. Holds a journeyman’s license in states requiring journeyman licensing. Will read blueprints, terminate cable, install and troubleshoot control wiring from drawings.
Master Electrician
Installs, alters, adds and/or repairs electrical systems, conductors and associated materials and equipment. A master electrician may supervise journeymen electricians. This classification is sometime synonymous with the term “electrical contractor.” This classification is not recognized in all states.
Lead Person
Installs, alters, adds and/or repairs electrical systems, conductors and associated materials and equipment. Has a journeyman’s license. Works from plans and specifications, supervises small crews of journeymen, apprentices and helpers.
Area Supervisor
Installs, alters, adds and/or repairs electrical systems, conductors and associated materials and equipment. Has a journeyman’s license. Leads and works along with crew. Lays out the work and makes certain that the proper materials, tools and equipment are on the jobsite in their proper places. Schedules and may supervise one or multiple small crews.
Project Supervisor
Installs, alters, adds and/or repairs electrical systems, conductors and associated materials and equipment. Has a journeyman’s license. This person is responsible for all the field employees on a project, taking care of daily reports and forms, monitors the work and adheres to schedules.
Estimator
Develops profitable bid proposals, calculates takeoffs, and ensures that the company's best interests are represented, including profitability and cost control. Provides careful analysis of project plans to guarantee accurate labor, supply, and time schedule estimates.
Basically, successful electricians can become foremen, supervisors, estimators, etc; can move into management positions; and even eventually run their own Electrical Contracting businesses. Your drive and abilities determine how far you go. There are no boundaries, and employment in the electrical industry provides equal opportunity for anyone who has the talent and desire to succeed.
Editorial provided by the Independent Electric Contractors (IEC), National Office. Representing nearly 3,600 members with 64 chapters nationwide.
