Thomas Edison’s light bulb was the first step in the illumination of our homes and offices with electricity instead of candles and rank-smelling oil. Today, we rely on electricians to maintain electrical lighting and to install power for new homes, office buildings and city streets. To become an electrician, you need to learn this trade first-hand. The knowledge and skills take years to master. You might only need a fuse replacing or you may have a major problem with the switchboard in a large commercial building it always good to have a contact for an urgent electrician Melbourne.
Electricians work with electrical power to install and furnish electricity to homes, businesses, schools and factories and even spaceships. Electricians need to test electrical connections and troubleshoot problems with power supply lines. They must be able to use wiring diagrams and building blueprints as well. They also need to follow state and local building codes when installing or repairing electrical systems and fixtures.
Downed power lines and breaker boxes don’t have any respect for the eight-hour workday. Many electricians work full-time, and most work hours after 5 p.m. and on weekends. During bad weather, electricians are exposed to the elements and the challenge of handling electrical wires and connections safely. Burns and falls are two of the most common injuries that electricians face on their jobs.
Education Requirements
Every electrician needs a high school diploma. If you take courses in vocational school, you’ll get some credit for those courses when you start your apprenticeship. The minimum apprenticeship time is four years, after which you can qualify for an electrician license. Your apprenticeship will include classes and paid on-the-job training. Additional training and work experience will qualify you for specific industry job titles. As you progress through defined experience levels, your pay will increase.
The 2018 median salary for beginning electricians (Electrician I) is $46,793, but salaries can range between $41,140-to-$53,319. The median hourly rate is $22, but electrician hourly rates range from $20-to-$26. Half of all electricians earned less than this amount and half earned more. The lowest 10 percent of entry-level electricians earned $35,992, while the highest 10 percent earned $59,261.
Industry
Electricians keep your appliances, air conditioning and heating running, without arcs and fires. They might work outdoors or indoors, depending on the need. In addition to individuals, major industries such as communications companies, recreation facilities, offices and schools need electricians to install, repair and manage power loads wherever the need arises.
Years of Experience
With additional experience, electricians qualify for promotion to higher job classifications, such as intermediate electrician (Electrician II) and master electrician (Electrician III). These job categories play a big role in salaries for this trade. One projection shows a salary progression from Electrician I: year 1-4, to Electrician II: year 5-9, then Electrician III: year 10-20:
1-2 years: $44,937-$48,254
3-4 years: $45,781-$49,228
5-6 years: $56,147-$60,110
7-9 years: $57,244-$61,278
10-14 years: $58,813-$62,836
15-19 years: $59,484-$63,730
20 or more years: $59,484-$63,730
Job Growth Trend
Projected growth for electrician jobs between 2016 and 2026, is average at about 9 percent. When the economy is strong, many industries need electricians. Construction and alternative energy development are two of the factors expected to influence the job outlook for electricians. The job growth rate should result in a net gain of 59,600 more jobs by 2026.