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Occupation Description

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems. Exclude "Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers".

View career video with one of the following: Additional videos and more information available on CareerOneStop.

State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location	Pay Period	2009
		10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
United States	Hourly	$13.79	$17.30	$22.68	$30.35	$38.59
	Yearly	$28,700	$36,000	$47,200	$63,100	$80,300
South Carolina	Hourly	$12.98	$14.88	$17.66	$21.12	$25.42
	Yearly	$27,000	$31,000	$36,700	$43,900	$52,900

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
Compare Wages by Occupation and Local Area
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: South Carolina Wage Information

State and National Trends

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
Compare Employment Trends by Occupation
Employment Trends by Industry and Occupation

National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: South Carolina Employment Security Commission

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Electricians.

Knowledge:

• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Skills:

• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Abilities:

• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Source: Occupational Information Network: Electricians.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Electricians.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Advise management on whether continued operation of equipment could be hazardous.
• Assemble, install, test, and maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools.
• Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
• Construct and fabricate parts, using hand tools and specifications.
• Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, and components, using test equipment and hand tools, to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem.
• Direct and train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
• Fasten small metal or plastic boxes to walls to house electrical switches or outlets.
• Inspect electrical systems, equipment, and components to identify hazards, defects, and the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.
• Install ground leads and connect power cables to equipment, such as motors.
• Maintain current electrician's license or identification card to meet governmental regulations.
• Perform business management duties such as maintaining records and files, preparing reports and ordering supplies and equipment.
• Perform physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches to lay conduit and moving and lifting heavy objects.
• Place conduit, pipes or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
• Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment and fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.
• Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring and equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
• Provide assistance during emergencies by operating floodlights and generators, placing flares, and driving needed vehicles.
• Provide preliminary sketches and cost estimates for materials and services.
• Repair or replace wiring, equipment, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools.
• Test electrical systems and continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures, using testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, and oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.
• Use a variety of tools and equipment such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment including oscilloscopes, ammeters, and test lamps.
• Work from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs to install, maintain or repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Detailed Work Activities:

• adhere to safety procedures
• analyze operation of malfunctioning electrical or electronic equipment
• bend tubing or conduit
• climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
• conduct training for personnel
• confer with management or users
• construct or fabricate electrical parts or fixtures
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• distinguish colors
• drive automobile, van, or light truck
• estimate cost for repair services
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• inspect electrical installation for code conformance
• install electrical conduit or tubing
• install electrical fixtures or components
• install electronic power, communication, control, or security equipment or systems
• install lead-in wires to control boxes and other components
• install or replace meters, regulators, or related measuring or control devices
• install/connect electrical equipment to power circuit
• install/string electrical or electronic cable or wiring
• lay out electrical wiring for buildings, etc.
• maintain electrician's tools or equipment
• maintain records, reports, or files
• move or fit heavy objects
• order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
• perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
• perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
• plan layout of electrical/electronic equipment installation
• plan or organize work
• prepare reports
• read blueprints
• read tape measure
• read technical drawings
• repair electronic components, equipment, or systems
• repair or adjust measuring or control devices
• repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
• replace electronic components
• solder electrical or electronic connections or components
• splice electric cable
• splice electric or communications trunk lines
• test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
• test electronic or electrical circuit connections
• understand service or repair manuals
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use high voltage apparatus
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• use oscilloscopes in electronics repair
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter

Source: Occupational Information Network: Electricians.

Tools and Technology

Electricians  View Detailed Report

Tools:

• Cable reels - Single reel cable trailers, Wheeled wire dispensers, Wire dispensers, Wire dollies, Wire hand caddies
• Screwdrivers - Cabinet tip screwdrivers, Conduit fitting and reaming screwdrivers, Insulated screwdrivers, Phillips head screwdrivers, Round shank screwdrivers
• Stripping tools - Automatic insulation strippers, Cable jacket strippers, Cable sheath strippers, Channel lock crimping tools, End wire strippers
• Voltage or current meters - Milliameters, Non-contact voltage detectors, Test lamps, Volt tick meters, Voltmeters
• Wire or cable cutters - Cable butt trimmers, Cable cutters, Coaxial cable cutters, High-leverage cable cutters, Insulated cable cutters

Technology:

• Analytical or scientific software - Electrosoft FlashWorks, Elite ECOORD, Elite Software Inpoint, Elite Software Outpoint, Elite Software Short
• Computer aided design CAD software - Computer aided design CAD software, One Mile Up Panel Planner, SmartDraw software
• Data base user interface and query software - Database software, Insight Direct ServiceCEO, Resolve service management software, Sage Timberline Office software, Shafer Service Systems software
• Project management software - Construction Master Pro software, Craftsman CD Estimator
• Word processing software - Socrates Contractor's Library, Word processing software

Source: Occupational Information Network: Electricians.

Education and Training

Occupation: Electricians
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Long-term on-the-job training
Related Instructional Programs: Electrician

WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://www.workforcesouthcarolina.com/provider/

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

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