Electrician (Maintenance)

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Work Tasks

• Keep electrical equipment in good working order
• Fix transformers, generators, motors, and all kinds of electrical equipment
• Test equipment and maintain it to keep it running well
• Put in new equipment when needed and replace old circuit breakers, fuses, switches, and other parts
• Work inside in plants, phone companies, utility companies; and for the government, business offices, and hospitals
• Work with motors, generators, fuses, switches, transformers, coils, wires, blueprints, wiring diagrams, hand tools, and testing equipment

Salary, Size & Growth

• $53,000 average per year ($25.50 per hour)
• A large occupation (514,800 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 if age or older, an electrical apprenticeship, and knowledge of electronics
• 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.