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United States · Licensing exam

The electrician trade: what electricians do

Electricians install, maintain and repair the wiring, lighting and control systems in buildings and equipment. On the job you read blueprints, find faults with test equipment and follow the electrical code your state and city adopt. BLS counted about 821,000 jobs in the electrician trade in 2025.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Duties of an electrician

BLS lists these as the main tasks:

  • Read blueprints and technical diagrams
  • Install and maintain wiring, control and lighting systems
  • Inspect parts such as transformers and circuit breakers
  • Find electrical problems with testing devices
  • Repair or replace wiring, equipment and fixtures
  • Follow state and local building rules based on the National Electrical Code
  • Direct and train workers who install or maintain wiring or equipment

BLS also says journey workers may advance to master electrician, supervisor or project management roles.

Where electricians work

Almost all electricians work full time. Evenings and weekends can be part of the schedule, and overtime is common.

EmployerShare of electricians
Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors66%
Self-employed7%
Manufacturing6%
Government (not state and local education or hospitals)3%
Employment services2%

Residential, commercial and other types of electrician

The union apprenticeship system splits the trade into inside wiremen (commercial and industrial), residential wiremen, outside linemen and VDV installer technicians; BLS covers line installers in a separate profile.

California's certification uses its own categories: General Electrician, Residential Electrician, Fire/Life Safety Technician, Voice Data Video Technician and Non-Residential Lighting Technician.

Union electrician apprenticeship →

Risks and safety

BLS is direct about it: working with electricity is dangerous. Accidents can be fatal, and the common injuries are electrical shocks, falls, burns and other minor injuries. Electricians wear protective clothing and safety glasses, and hearing protection in loud places.

Is the electrician trade growing?

Yes. BLS projects 9% growth in electrician jobs from 2025 to 2035, which it calls much faster than the average for all occupations, and about 72,700 openings a year. BLS expects many of those openings to come from replacing workers who change jobs or retire.

Electrician salary →How to become an electrician →
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics · electrical training ALLIANCE · California DIR. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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