Electrician

At a Glance
Electricians install, repair, and maintain electrical systems wherever they are needed.

BC Focus Areas
Trades & Technology

Earnings
Earnings Range: 17 - 36/hr

Level of Education

Community College or Technical Training

Core Tasks

Read blueprints and understand building codes

Install electrical wiring in buildings

Connect wiring to control panels and electricity sources

Install electrical control devices such as switches and outlets

Maintenance electricians maintain the electrical systems of industrial machines

Attributes & Abilities

Mechanically inclined with an aptitude for math

Analytical approach to problem-solving

Physical strength

Hand-eye coordination

Good eyesight and colour vision

Workplace

Work for electrical contracting companies, industrial plants, and construction companies,
or are self-employed

Work in homes, on construction sites, in factories, and in electrical utility stations

There is some danger of electrical shocks

Most work a 5-day, 40-hour week, but overtime is sometimes necessary

Maintenance electricians may often work evenings and weekends

Job Description
Almost every aspect of our daily lives is dependent on the supply of electricity. Without it there would be no
computers, no television, no radio, and no telecommunications. It is not surprising, then, that the ability to create,
maintain, and repair electrical systems can lead to a satisfying and rewarding career as an electrician.
Electricians are responsible for installing electrical systems wherever they are needed. They may also be involved in
the design and layout of electrical systems for new structures. Most work in the construction field, where they install
and repair electrical systems in new homes and buildings, or the industrial sector, where they maintain machines and
electrical systems in factories.
In the construction field, electricians are generally responsible for wiring buildings for electricity. Following blueprints
and building codes, they run wires from control panels to the areas of the building that need electricity. This may also
include the installation of electrical control devices such as switches and outlets for homes, or the installation of cable
for office computers.
Maintenance electricians work mostly in factories, where they connect and maintain the electrical systems of industrial
machines. These electricians spend much of their time doing preventative maintenance, as a breakdown can cost a
company thousands of dollars an hour. They are often on-call, which means they are expected to come into work at a
moments notice if the factory experiences electrical problems.
Regardless of the type of equipment they are working with, once it is assembled electricians must thoroughly test it to
prevent fires and electrical shocks. They use equipment such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, and oscilloscopes to ensure
that the equipment adheres to local safety standards.
Electricians work for contractors, construction firms, or companies that require an in-house electrician. Many work as
independent contractors, serving clients in their homes and offices.

Working Conditions

Electricians work in people's homes, on construction sites, in factories, and in electrical utility stations. They may be
required to bend or squat for long periods, in order to work on hard-to-reach wiring. There is always the threat of
electrical shocks, but as long as proper safety procedures are followed, the number of accidents will remain low.
Electricians typically work 8-hour days, 5 days a week. This may vary for independent electrical contractors,
depending on the work available. Some contractors work 12 to 14-hour days. Maintenance electricians may have to
work evenings and weekends on a regular basis, and may be on-call when not at work.
The amount of work an electrician gets often depends on how well the construction industry is doing. If the economy
has slowed down and there is little construction going on, there is a decreased demand for electricians.

Earnings
Electricians mostly work on a full-time basis. Many work for electrical, industrial, or construction companies. Some are
self-employed and run their own companies. Self-employed electricians may work by themselves or with several
employees.
Apprentices earn a percentage of a fully trained, or journeyperson, electrician's salary as they train. Usually this
means they begin by making about 50% of what a journeyperson makes. They then receive increases in pay as they
complete each year of their apprenticeship.
Apprentices can earn anywhere from $9 to $27 an hour. If they work 40 hours a week, this translates to about
$19,000 to $56,000 a year.
Fully-qualified journeyperson electricians who work on a full-time basis often earn somewhere between $35,000 and
$75,000 a year. Contractors who operate their own businesses can earn well over $75,000 a year. Industrial
electricians tend to earn more than electricians in other specialities.
Depending on their employer, full-time electricians may receive benefits such as paid sick days, and dental coverage.
Self-employed electricians must provide their own benefits.
Some electricians belong to unions, which means their wages and benefits are negotiated by union representatives.

Education
Most electricians complete their training through a 4 or 5-year apprenticeship, which includes a combination of inschool course work and on-the-job training. The in-class component of an apprenticeship program normally takes
place at a college or vocational school.
To be accepted into an apprenticeship program you usually need a high school diploma, with courses in math,
chemistry, physics, and English. Contact you local apprenticeship training office or electricians union for more
information on becoming an apprentice.
Once you have completed apprenticeship training you can certify as a journeyperson electrician by passing an exam
set by your province. Certification is required in most provinces, and highly recommended in those areas where it is
voluntary.

You may also be eligible to write the certification exam if you have worked in the trade for more than 5 years and have
completed related high school, college, or industry courses. In this case the completion of an apprenticeship program
is not required.
Certified electricians can write the Interprovincial Exam. Those who pass this exam are awarded the Red Seal, which
means they can work as an electrician in the other provinces or territories without having to re-certify.

Related College & University Programs

Electrical Work

Utility Lineworker

Construction Engineering Technology

Industrial Electronics Technology

Related Apprenticeship Programs

Alberta - Electrician

Alberta - Power System Electrician

British Columbia - Electrician, Construction

British Columbia - Electrician, Industrial

Manitoba - Construction Electrician

Manitoba - Industrial Electrician

Manitoba - Power Electrician

New Brunswick - Construction Electrician

New Brunswick - Industrial Electrician

Newfoundland and Labrador - Construction Electrician

Newfoundland and Labrador - Industrial Electrician

Newfoundland and Labrador - Residential Electrician

Nova Scotia - Construction Electrician

Nova Scotia - Industrial Electrician

Northwest Territories - Electrician (Construction)

Northwest Territories - Power Systems Electrician

Ontario - Entertainment Industry Power Technician

Ontario - Industrial Electrician

Ontario - Electrician Construction and Maintenance

Ontario - Electrician Domestic and Rural

Prince Edward Island - Construction Electrician

Prince Edward Island - Industrial Electrician

Quebec - Electrician

Quebec - Film Set Lighting Techncian Class C

Saskatchewan - Electrician

Saskatchewan - Construction Electrician

Yukon Territory - Communication Electrician

Yukon Territory - Construction Electrician

Yukon Territory - Power System Electrician

Yukon Territory - Industrial Electrician

Other Suggested Qualifications

High school courses in math, electronics, mechanical drawing, science, and shop provide a good background. Also,
any post-secondary education in technical or electrical courses beyond the apprenticeship training would be helpful. A
broad scope of knowledge makes you more employable. Electricians should have mathematical and mechanical
aptitudes, and an analytical approach to problem-solving. They should also understand computerized machinery and
be efficient with hand tools. Those who work in homes or businesses must be neat and able to deal with customers
courteously. Electricians must also be able to read and interpret drawings and electrical code specifications. Other
important characteristics include physical strength, manual dexterity, good hand-eye coordination, and the ability to
work at heights. Since electrical wires are colour-coded, good eyesight and colour vision are vital. To remain
competitive in this field, electricians should be willing to upgrade their skills continually.

Suggested High School Subjects

Grade 9

Grade 10

English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Creative Arts / Business
French
Health & Physical Education
Technology

English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Personal & Career Development
Creative Arts
Construction Technology
Electronics & Communications Technology
Business / Computers

Grade 11

Grade 12

English
Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Social Studies
Business / Computers
Construction Technology
Electronics & Communications Technology
Drafting & Design

English
Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Business / Computers
Entrepreneurship
Construction Technology
Electronics & Communications Technology
Drafting & Design

Important

Check with your advisor to make sure that your course selections satisfy your graduation requirements.

Courses available may vary from school to school.

Sample Career Path

People take different pathways through their careers, but no one starts at the top. This is an example of how the
earnings, education and experience requirements, and responsibilities might progress for someone in this occupation.

Level 1

Sample Title

First-Year Apprentice

Earnings

$9 to $17 an hour

Requirements

High school diploma

Some commonly used tools

Responsibilities

Working under a journeyperson; doing odd jobs while learning the trade (for
example, loading and unloading materials, and cleaning up); taking courses.

Level 2

Sample Title

Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth-Year Apprentice

Earnings

$11 to $27 an hour

Requirements

Be in the process of completing the required hours of on-the-job and classroom

training

Responsibilities

Responsibilities increase with each year. Duties include installing cables, conduits,
panels, motors, outlets, and lighting fixtures; testing electrical equipment under a
journeyperson.

Level 3

Sample Title

Journey-level Electrician

Earnings

$18 to $34 an hour

Requirements

Successful completion of the apprenticeship program

Passing the certification exam
Provision of your own tools

Responsibilities

Installing electrical materials and apparatus; connecting electrical equipment;

testing, certifying, and troubleshooting electrical systems; maintaining and servicing
electrical equipment.

Level 4

Sample Title

Independent Electrical Contractor

Earnings

$50,000 to $100,000 a year

Requirements

Training and many years of experience as an established electrician

Business management skills and knowledge
Computer skills

Responsibilities

Managing a group of electricians; job estimating; getting materials; designing

electrical systems; overseeing installation and maintenance of electrical equipment
and systems; invoicing and serving customers.

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Focus Areas
Focus Areas are groups or families of occupations that share common characteristics such as knowledge
requirements, skill sets, and/or goals.
Trades & Technology