Electrician (Construction)

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Work Tasks

• Put in electrical systems like air conditioning and security
• Read blueprints and put conduits (tubing) in walls and other areas
• Pull wires through the walls and connect the wiring to circuit breakers or transformers
• Test the circuit to make sure it works correctly and meets state, local, and national codes
• Work indoors for contractors, builders, industrial plants, public utilities, the government, etc.
• Work with testing equipment, blueprints, drawings, diagrams, wires, circuit breakers, transformers, and a variety of hand and power tools

Salary, Size & Growth

• $54,000 average per year ($26.00 per hour)
• A large occupation (620,300 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: On-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: A high school diploma, 18 years of age or older, and an electrical apprenticeship
• Skills/Courses: courses in applied math, electricity, electronics, mechanical drawing, science, and shop
• Certification/Licensing: Electricians usually need a license. A license requires learning the electrical codes and passing a test.