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Electricians

(D.O.T.  729.381-018; 806.381-062; 822.361-018, -022; 824.261,
.281-010, -018, .381, .681; 825.381-030, -034; 829.261-018; and
952.364 and .381)

Nature of the Work

Electricity is essential for light, power, air-conditioning, and
refrigeration.  Electricians install and maintain electrical systems
for a variety of purposes, including climate control, security, and
communications.  They also may install and maintain the electronic
controls for machines in business and industry.  Although most
electricians specialize in either construction or maintenance, a
growing number do both.

   Electricians work with blueprints when they install electrical
systems in factories, office buildings, homes, and other structures.
Blueprints indicate the location of circuits, outlets, load centers,
panel boards, and other equipment.  Electricians must follow the
National Electric Code and comply with State and local building
codes when they install these systems.  In factories and offices,
they first place conduit (pipe or tubing) inside designated
partitions, walls, or other concealed areas.  They also fasten to
the wall small metal or plastic boxes that will house electrical
switches and outlets.  They then pull insulated wires or cables
through the conduit to complete circuits between these boxes.  In
lighter construction, such as residential, plastic-covered wire
usually is used rather than conduit.

   Regardless of the type of wire being used, electricians connect it
to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.  Wires are
joined by twisting ends together with pliers and covering the ends
with special plastic connectors.  When stronger connections are
required, electricians may use an electric soldering gun to melt
metal onto the twisted wires, which they then cover with durable
electrical tape.  When the wiring is finished, they test the
circuits for proper connections.

   In addition to wiring a building's electrical system, electricians
may install coaxial or fiber optic cable for computers and other
telecommunications equipment.  A growing number of electricians
install telephone and computer wiring and equipment.  They also may
connect motors to electrical power and install electronic controls
for industrial equipment.

   Maintenance work varies greatly, depending on where the electrician
is employed.  Electricians who specialize in residential work may
rewire a home and replace an old fuse box with a new circuit breaker
to accommodate additional appliances.  Those who work in large
factories may repair motors, transformers, generators, and
electronic controllers on machine tools and industrial robots.
Those in office buildings and small plants may repair all kinds of
electrical equipment.  Maintenance electricians spend much of their
time in preventive maintenance.  They periodically inspect equipment
and locate and correct problems before breakdowns occur.  When
breakdowns occur, they must make the necessary repairs as quickly as
possible in order to minimize inconvenience.  Electricians may
replace items such as circuit breakers, fuses, switches, electrical
and electronic components, or wire.  When working with complex
electronic devices, they may work with engineers, engineering
technicians, or industrial machinery repairers.  (For information
about each of these occupations, see the statements located
elsewhere in the Handbook.) Electricians also may advise management
whether continued operation of equipment could be hazardous.  When
needed, they install new electrical equipment.

   Electricians use handtools such as screwdrivers, pliers, knives, and
hacksaws.  They also use power tools and testing equipment such as
oscilloscopes, ammeters, and test lamps.

   Electricians use handtools such as screwdrivers.

Working Conditions

Electricians' work is sometimes strenuous.  They may stand for long
periods and frequently work on ladders and scaffolds.  They often
work in awkward or cramped positions.  Electricians risk injury from
electrical shock, falls, and cuts; to avoid injuries, they must
follow strict safety procedures.  Most electricians work a standard
40-hour week, although overtime may be required.  Those in
maintenance work may have to work nights, on weekends, and be on
call.

Employment

Electricians held about 518,000 jobs in 1992.  More than half were
employed in the construction industry.  Others worked as maintenance
electricians and were employed in virtually every industry.  In
addition, about 1 out of 10 electricians was self-employed.

   Because of the widespread need for electrical services, jobs for
electricians are found in all parts of the country.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

The best way to learn the electrical trade is by completing a 4- or
5-year apprenticeship program.  Apprenticeship gives trainees a
thorough knowledge of all aspects of the trade and generally
improves their ability to find a job.  Although more electricians
are trained through apprenticeship than workers in other
construction trades, some still learn their skills informally on the
job.

   Large apprenticeship programs are usually sponsored by joint
training committees made up of local unions of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and local chapters of the National
Electrical Contractors Association.  Training may also be provided
by company management committees of individual electrical
contracting companies and by local chapters of the Associated
Builders and Contractors and Independent Electrical Contractors.
Because of the comprehensive training received, those who complete
apprenticeship programs qualify to do both maintenance and
construction work.  The typical large program provides at least 144
hours of classroom instruction each year and 8,000 hours of
on-the-job training over the course of the apprenticeship.  In the
classroom, apprentices learn blueprint reading, electrical theory,
electronics, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety
and first aid practices.  On the job, under the supervision of
experienced electricians, apprentices must demonstrate mastery of
the electrician's work.  At first, they drill holes, set anchors,
and set up conduit.  Later, they measure, fabricate, and install
conduit, as well as install, connect, and test wiring, outlets, and
switches.  They also learn to set up and draw diagrams for entire
electrical systems.

   Those who do not enter a formal apprenticeship program can begin to
learn the trade informally by working as helpers for experienced
electricians.  While learning to install conduit, connect wires, and
test circuits, helpers also are taught safety practices.  Many
helpers supplement this training with trade school or correspondence
courses.

   Regardless of how one learns the trade, previous training is very
helpful.  High school courses in mathematics, electricity,
electronics, mechanical drawing, science, and shop provide a good
background.  Special training offered in the Armed Forces and by
postsecondary technical schools also is beneficial.  All applicants
should be in good health and have at least average physical
strength.  Agility and dexterity also are important.  Good color
vision is needed because workers frequently must identify electrical
wires by color.

   Most apprenticeship sponsors require applicants for apprentice
positions to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma
or its equivalent.  For those interested in becoming maintenance
electricians, a background in electronics is increasingly important
because of the growing use of complex electronic controls on
manufacturing equipment.

   Most localities require electricians to be licensed.  Although
licensing requirements vary from area to area, electricians
generally must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of
electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, and local electric
and building codes.

   Electricians periodically take courses offered by their employer or
union to keep abreast of changes in the National Electrical Code,
materials, or methods of installation.

   Experienced electricians can become supervisors and then
superintendents.  Those with sufficient capital and management
skills may start their own contracting business, although this may
require an electrical contractor's license.

Job Outlook

Employment of electricians is expected to increase about as fast as
the average for all occupations through the year 2005.  As the
population and the economy grow, many electricians will be needed to
install and maintain electrical devices and wiring in homes,
factories, offices, and other structures.  New technologies also are
expected to continue to stimulate the demand for these workers.
Increasingly, buildings will be prewired during construction to
accommodate use of computers and telecommunications equipment.  More
and more factories will be using robots and automated manufacturing
systems.  Installation of this equipment, which is expected to
increase, also should stimulate demand for electricians.  Additional
jobs will be created by rehabilitation and retrofitting of existing
structures.

   In addition to jobs created by increased demand for electrical work,
many openings will occur each year as electricians transfer to other
occupations, retire, or leave the labor force for other reasons.
Because of their lengthy training and relatively high earnings, a
smaller proportion of electricians than other craft workers leave
their occupation each year.  The number of retirements is expected
to rise, however, as more electricians reach retirement age.

   Although the employment outlook for electricians is expected to be
very good over the long run, people wishing to become construction
electricians should be prepared to experience periods of
unemployment.  These result from the limited duration of
construction projects and the cyclical nature of the construction
industry.  During economic downturns, job openings for electricians
are reduced as the level of construction declines.  Apprenticeship
opportunities also are less plentiful during these periods.

   Although employment of maintenance electricians is steadier than
that of construction electricians, those working in the automotive
and other manufacturing industries that are sensitive to cyclical
swings in the economy may be laid off during recessions.  Also,
efforts to reduce operating costs and increase productivity through
the increased use of contracting out for electrical services may
limit opportunities for maintenance electricians in many industries.
However, this should be partially offset by increased demand by
electrical contracting firms.

   Job opportunities for electricians also vary by geographic area.
Employment opportunities follow the movement of people and
businesses among States and local areas and reflect differences in
local economic conditions.  The number of job opportunities in a
given year may fluctuate widely from area to area.  Some parts of
the country may experience an oversupply of electricians, for
example, while others may have a shortage.

Earnings

Median weekly earnings for full-time electricians who were not
self-employed were $550 in 1992.  The middle 50 percent earned
between $412 and $717 weekly.  The lowest 10 percent earned less
than $321, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $887.

   According to a survey of workplaces in 160 metropolitan areas,
maintenance electricians had median hourly earnings of $16.68 in
1992.  The middle half earned between $13.10 and $19.65 an hour.
Annual earnings of electricians also tend to be higher than those of
other building trades workers because electricians are less affected
by the seasonal nature of construction.

   Depending on experience, apprentices usually start at 30-50 percent
of the rate paid to experienced electricians.  As they become more
skilled, they receive periodic increases throughout the course of
the apprenticeship program.  Many employers also provide training
opportunities for experienced electricians to improve their skills.

   Many construction electricians are members of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  Among unions organizing
maintenance electricians are the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers; the International Union of Electronic,
Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Workers; the
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the
International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural
Implement Workers of America; and the United Steelworkers of
America.

Related Occupations

To install and maintain electrical systems, electricians combine
manual skill and a knowledge of electrical materials and concepts.
Workers in other occupations involving similar skills include
air-conditioning mechanics, cable installers and repairers,
electronics mechanics, and elevator constructors.

Sources of Additional Information

   For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in
this trade, contact local electrical contractors; local chapters of
the Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc., the National
Electrical Contractors Association, Home Builders Institute, or the
Associated Builders and Contractors; a local union of the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; a local
union-management electrician apprenticeship committee; local firms
that employ maintenance electricians; or the nearest office of the
State employment service or State apprenticeship agency.

   For general information about the work of electricians, contact:

   Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc., P.  O.  Box 10379,
Alexandria, VA 22310.

   National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), 3 Bethesda Metro
Center, #1100, Bethesda, MD 20814.

   International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), 1125 15th
St.  NW., Washington, DC 20005.

   Associated Builders and Contractors, 1300 North 17th St., Rossyln,
VA 22209.

   Homebuilders Institute, 1010 Vermomnt Ave.  NW., Washington, DC
20005.