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Electrician

Occupation Information table
Overview: Electricians plan the layout for wiring and installation of electrical equipment, appliances, illumination fixtures and controls in residences, buildings and other structures. They install electrical systems, repair electrical problems and prepare cost estimates and job proposals.
Duties: They follow blueprints and supervisor's instructions to install electrical systems and wiring in homes, factories and commercial buildings. They meet with customers to idenfity special needs.

They prepare cost estimates of labor and materials for new jobs or repairs by studying blueprints and customers' requests for installing electrical wiring and equipment.

They work together with other construction workers such as carpenters, masons, plumbers, etc. in order to schedule and coordinate the sequence of the jobs to be done.

They study the town or city electrical code requirements for safe and efficient electrical installations. They learn how to use and properly work with new tools, circuit breakers, fuses, etc.
Degree(s): A.A.S. Electronic Engineering Technology 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 14% or higher from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Starting Salary: The top 10% and those who own their own business often earn higher than average salaries. Economic downturns, weather and seasonal lulls can reduce your total annual earnings.
Salary Range (National Average): $26,000 to $30,000
Growth: Growth
Green: Green Career
Education Level: Training for this occupation generally requires a High School Degree, plus additional coursework in a vocational or technical school. In some cases, employers may require an Associate Degree.
Additional Training/Education: Certificate programs are offered by technical institutes that range from one to two years and consist of courses and workshops in electrical theory, electronics, blueprint reading, electrical installation code and mathematics. Apprenticeship programs administered by labor unions and licensed electricians provide on-the-job skills and experience.
Recommended Skills:
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Identifying the most appropriate equipment and tools needed to get a job done.
  • Installing equipment, machines, wiring, etc. according to a set of specifications.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Performing routine maintenance and/or repairs on equipment using the appropriate tools.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • Using mathematics and/or statistics to solve problems.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Analyzing the symptoms of a problem and deciding what actions should be taken to resolve the problem.
Recommended Values:
  • Having the ability to work with equipment or material things.
  • Doing something where you can physically see the results of your work.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.