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What are the Different Types of Electrician Jobs?

Carol Francois
Carol Francois

There are three different electrician jobs: self-employment, working for an electrical contractor, and teaching. An electrician is a skilled trades person who has a combination of education and experience working with electrical wiring. In order to work as an electrician, a license is required. This process is managed by the state government, which has strict regulations that must be met in order to become an electrician.

The first requirement to become an electrician is an education program at a community or career college. These programs are typically two to three years in length. The classroom training is combined with job placement opportunities.

Electricians can teach, work for electrical contractors or obtain work through self-employment.
Electricians can teach, work for electrical contractors or obtain work through self-employment.

Upon completion of the training, all candidates are required to pass a licensing examination to become an electrician. Unlicensed electricians must clearly state their status to any potential employers or clients. The types of jobs available to an unlicensed electrician are very restricted, as a licensed electrician must check their work.

The most common source of electrician jobs is self-employment. Licensed electricians can open their own businesses, deciding what type of service they want to provide, ranging from residential to commercial. Most electricians specialize in one or the other, as this provides an opportunity to build efficiencies into the process and expand a customer base.

Licensed electricians may be hired to wire residential construction.
Licensed electricians may be hired to wire residential construction.

Another option is to work for an electrical contractor. These electrician jobs provide more stability than self-employment, and are a good way to start a career as an electrician. An established contractor often has business relationships with builders, and construction and renovation firms. These businesses often work together, coordinating activity between the different trades on a large project.

Many electricians offer courses in electrical safety for construction workers.
Many electricians offer courses in electrical safety for construction workers.

Electricians can become instructors at local community or career colleges, teaching courses in basic wiring, reading electrical schematics, and more. Many electricians also offer courses in electrical safety for construction workers, factory staff, building operators, and hobbyists. In order to become an instructor, many electricians complete a certificate program in adult education. Learning the most effective way to teach adults can be a huge help when making this career transition.

A master electrician may review the blueprints for a new construction project.
A master electrician may review the blueprints for a new construction project.

People who report the greatest satisfaction in electrician jobs enjoy working with their hands, interacting with a wide variety of people, and being independent. A skilled electrician is an essential asset to any construction or renovation project. The career advancement opportunities for an electrician include becoming the lead hand, project manager, or shift supervisor. The options available depend on the work environment and the organizational structure.

Discussion Comments

pleonasm

One of the points this article makes is something you should consider if you want to be an electrician, or really any kind of tradesperson.

You have to really like and get on with people to do well. This is true of most jobs, but it's especially true if you are self employed in this kind of industry and I think a lot of people brush over this when they are thinking about work.

Your goal is to build up repeat customers. And even if you are the best electrician in the world, you won't be able to build up regular customers without being good with people.

They won't remember how well or how quickly you worked as much as that great joke you told them, or how you have a kid the same age as their kid, or even just that you had a nice smile and were respectful.

I reckon most success comes from being good at making friends, and in this kind of job it is even more important.

irontoenail

An electrician is one of those jobs that seems like it wouldn't be all that well paying, but actually can be quite lucrative.

Especially now, when the economy is doing badly.

People are usually not going to try and fix their own electrical faults, unless they are looking to get a bad shock.

It's specialized and is never going to really go away and it can't be outsourced either. The electrician's job salary will remain steady while other jobs disappear.

I know a lot of people think they should go into university and get a degree but if you have a chance to become an apprentice electrician you should give it some thought.

It will probably earn you a lot more than an art degree can.

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    • Electricians can teach, work for electrical contractors or obtain work through self-employment.
      By: michaeljung
      Electricians can teach, work for electrical contractors or obtain work through self-employment.
    • Licensed electricians may be hired to wire residential construction.
      By: ArenaCreative
      Licensed electricians may be hired to wire residential construction.
    • Many electricians offer courses in electrical safety for construction workers.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Many electricians offer courses in electrical safety for construction workers.
    • A master electrician may review the blueprints for a new construction project.
      By: mavil
      A master electrician may review the blueprints for a new construction project.
    • People who report the greatest satisfaction in electrician jobs typically enjoy working with their hands.
      By: auremar
      People who report the greatest satisfaction in electrician jobs typically enjoy working with their hands.
    • Many electricians are self-employed.
      By: Kadmy
      Many electricians are self-employed.
    • Electricians who service industrial or manufacturing sites may be responsible for installing or maintaining disconnectors, also known as disconnect switches.
      By: gandolf
      Electricians who service industrial or manufacturing sites may be responsible for installing or maintaining disconnectors, also known as disconnect switches.