In today’s society, electronic mediums reign supreme.  Projections state that by the end of this year, 86.7 million Americans will own at least one computer.  A.C. Nielsen Corporation claims that 99% of the United States population owns at least one television.  For this reason, most American households cannot live without electricity.  Very few cultures in the United States do not rely on electricity.  Where there is electricity, there is also a high demand for someone with expertise in that field.  Therefore, one of the fastest growing jobs in today’s world is that of an electrician.

Just as in any career, there are a few different specialties for the field of electrician.  Beyond the level of apprentice, journeyman or master electrician, there are electricians who specialize in machinery called maintenance electricians.  In addition, there is high demand for electricians specializing in aircraft who go by the title of Aircraft Electricians.

Wiring comes in many different sizes.  Depending on the wire’s purpose, the size matters.  Smaller cables handle lower amounts of electrical current, while thicker cabling is for higher voltage capacities.  An electrician is highly skilled in knowing which wire matches the intended usage.  Some wiring runs through plastic tubing (conduit piping) that protects the wiring from water damage and other natural elements.  Because conduit pipes can be problematic to work with at times, electricians often find themselves lifting heavy weights and maneuvering their bodies into awkward positions.  For that reason, electrical work may be difficult for those with severe back problems.  Otherwise, this is an excellent field with plenty of room for career growth.

An electrician carries both standard household tools and specialty equipment.  A typical toolbox consists of four different styles of screwdrivers, side-cutter pliers with a crimping tool, a mini crimping tool, a fuse puller, diagonal cutting pliers, needle-nose pliers, wire strippers, a knife, a voltage meter, and a tape measure.  Using these tools, an electrician has special knowledge in setting up the wiring to fuse panels or boxes following a blueprint.  All electrical work must meet state codes.

The ultimate goal is to set up the electrical to a home or business that will stand the test of time.  A business or homeowner will not want the wiring fraying or coming loose decades later.  Owners of older homes may find themselves hiring an electrician to repair or replace their older, fraying wiring.  Damage to wiring can cause tragic fires, and an electrician can help stop any danger before it occurs.  Once the wiring is in place, the electrician must test his or her work using voltage meters.  If there is any problem with the wiring, it must be detected and repaired immediately before power is turned on permanently.

Another important job an electrician holds is maintaining manufacturing or airline machinery.  If company or airline’s machinery breaks down, the net income lost during the downtime can be crippling to any business.  Maintenance electricians are responsible for the upkeep and repairs of machinery within a company.  These workers must be efficiently solving critical problems with production machinery.  As finances are usually a major concern, an electrician must be able to come up with a cost-effective means of solution.  The Maintenance Electrician must also come up with a solution that will last.

An Airline Electrician is responsible for the upkeep of all airplane wiring.  Airline Electricians wire a plane from top to bottom.  This crucial job is extremely important.  An Airline Electrician is the person who ensures that an airplane is grounded for mechanical failure or takes off on time with properly working equipment.

Due to the advanced skill required in electrical work, some schooling is necessary.  A person with interest in becoming an electrician must be at least eighteen years of age.  Possessing a high school diploma or GED is another requirement.  Most companies combine specialized night classes with an apprenticeship that lasts four or five years. An electrician apprentice must have decent math and English skills to allow for quick reasoning abilities and the capability to read instruction manuals. 

 In the state of Vermont, electricians can reach two employment levels.  The first level is that of a Journeyman Electrician.    A Journeyman Electrician must complete an apprenticeship with both written study and physical study.  At least fifteen hours of course credits must have been completed every year.  Most companies utilize the apprenticeship program to ensure their future electricians have had both schooling and hands-on training.

 To receive a journeyman license, the electrician must pass a state exam.  This exam covers state laws, practical theory, and various aspects of electrical work.  A Journeyman license permits an electrician to perform certain types of electrical work under the supervision of a Master Electrician. An electrician holding a journeyman license is never permitted to install lightning rods.   In the state of Vermont, a Journeyman license costs $90 and must be renewed every three years.

 The higher employment level is called a Master Electrician.  To become a Master Electrician, a person must have worked continuously under the watchful eye of a Master Electrician for at least two years, and an additional fifteen hours of course credits are required per year.  To upgrade from a journeyman license to a Master Electrician license, another state exam is required.  Beyond the practical theories and aspects of electrical uses and state and county laws, the test also covers installation procedures of fire alarms, lightning rods, and electronic smoke/fire detection systems.  The fee for a Master Electrician license in the state of Vermont is currently $120.

 It is imperative that any electrician completes their continuing education coursework. Classes will vary depending on the type of electrician a person means to become.  Typical classes for an electrician include:  Basic Fire Alarm Design, Electrical Elevator Work, One Or Two Family Household Fire Detection Systems, Appliance & Motor Repairs, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Lightning Rod Installation, Automatic Gas & Oil Heating, Safety Practices, Mathematic Applications, Reading Schematics, Well Pumps, State Electrical Codes, and many more.  The coursework can be challenging, but the career is very fulfilling.

 The information provided on the tests will vary.  It is critical for interested parties to check their state’s requirements, rules, and fees.  All state departments of employment offer instructional brochures on becoming electricians.  These brochures include required coursework, apprenticeship details, restrictions, fees, testing schedules, and licensing applications. 

Due to the fluctuating demand for electricians from state to state, the salary scale can vary greatly from area to area.  More populated areas will offer higher pay scales while remote areas do not have as great a need.  Those planning to become an electrician will need to look at the supply and demand in areas nearby.  Obviously, if a person lives near an Amish community, there will not be demand.  Therefore, salary scales will be much lower.

Many electricians are unionized.  Being part of a union can greatly increase a person’s salary scale, but union dues will also eat up a portion of one’s paycheck.  It can be worthwhile to check union dues rates in areas in which an electrician is thinking of working.  In Vermont, monthly union dues average three times a worker’s hourly wage.  If a person is making $20 per hour, their monthly union dues are then $60 a month.

Wages for an electrician will vary greatly depending on completed coursework, as well as the level an electrician has reached.  For this study, wages listed cover the fields of Electrician Apprentice, Journeyman, Master Electrician, Airline Electrician, and Maintenance Electrician.  The wage grids listed below contain average salaries in more populated areas.  These are base salaries and do not included bonuses or overtime.

Airline Electrician (Specializes in airline maintenance and repair.):

Alaska:  $46,000 per year.

California:  $44,700 per year.

Florida:  $39,600 per year.

Hawaii:  $43,600 per year.

Illinois:  $42,700 per year.

Kansas:  $39,400 per year.

Maine:  $38,300 per year.

New York:  $46,800 per year. 

North Dakota:  $36,500 per year. 

Texas:  $40,400 per year.

Virginia:  $39,200 per year.

Electrician Apprentice/Electrician I (Holding no license.  Just starting an apprenticeship.):

Alaska:  $45,000 per year.

California:  $43,800 per year.

Florida:  $38,800 per year.

Hawaii:  $42,800 per year.

Illinois:  $41,800 per year.

Kansas:  $38,600 per year.

Maine:  $37,600 per year.

New York:  $45,900 per year.

North Dakota:  $35,800 per year.

Texas:  $39,600 per year.

Virginia:  $38,400 per year.

Licensed Journeyman (Holding a journeyman license.  Currently working under a Master Electrician’s supervision.):

Alaska:  $51,300 per year.

California:  $49,900 per year.

Florida:  $44,200 per year.

Hawaii:  $48,700 peryear.

Illinois:  $47,600 per year.

Kansas:  $44,000 per year.

Maine:  $42,800 per year.

New York:  $52,200 per year.

North Dakota:  $40,800 per year.

Texas:  $45,000 per year.

Virginia:  $43,800 per year.

Maintenance Electrician  (Specializes in production machinery repairs and maintenance.):

Alaska:  $35,700 per year.

California:  $34,800 per year.

Florida:  $30,800 per year.

Hawaii:  $33,900 per year.

Illinois:  $33,200 per year.

Kansas:  $30,700 per year.

Maine:  $29,800 per year.

New York:  $28,400 per year.

North Dakota:  $40,800 per year.

Texas:  $31,400 per year.

Virginia:  $30,500 per year.

Master Electrician:  (Fully licensed with a Master Electrician license.)

Alaska:  $58,600 per year.

California:  $57,100 per year.

Florida:  $50,500 per year.

Hawaii:  $55,700 per year.

Illinois:  $54,500 per year.

Kansas:  $50,300 per year.

Maine:  $48,900 per year.

New York:  $59,700 per year.

North Dakota:  $46,600 per year.

Texas:  $51,500 per year.

Virginia:  $50,000 per year.

 What is surprising is that wages vary dramatically.  While one might think Alaska would offer the lowest yearly salary, the net pay in that state is actually much higher.  A person considering becoming an electrician will want to do a thorough search for wages in their area.  If relocation is a possibility, it can pay to move to an area where wages match the cost of living.