Do the Sparks Fly? How to Know if Electrical Work Careers are Right for You
Electricians make a good amount of money, but they need a certain skill set and specific interests. Learn if electrical work is right for you, here.
Becoming an electrician isn’t a half-bad idea right now if you’ve lost your job and are on the hunt for something more stable.
Millions of Americans stuck at home right now are counting on their electronics to keep themselves entertained during isolation. Because so many people are using electricity, it’s fully possible that power will start going out, and people will need electrical work.
Does becoming an electrician or an electrician assistant appeal to you? Here’s some information to help decide whether or not electrical work is in your future.
Well, How Much Does an Electrician Make?
When considering a new career, one of the first things many people want to know is how much they’ll make. Here are the details.
Based on 20,000 salaries reported to Indeed.com, the average electrician in the United States makes $55,405 yearly. This is more than the average US income was at the end of 2019, and considering that many are out of work right now, that’s a great deal.
How Much Do Electrician Assistants Make?
If you aren’t sure whether you want to go all the way and be an electrician, you might consider becoming an electrician assistant. So, how much do they make?
On average, based on about 1,000 reports, electrician assistants make $15.74 an hour. Assuming you work 40 hours every week, you would make $32,739 yearly.
That’s under the average income, but remember that that figure is skewed by people who make a lot of money. Plus, because you’ll probably work odd hours, you could well work more than 40 hours a week. Most importantly, it’s a stable job.
Is Electrical Work Right for You?
Now that you know how much money you’ll make, do you want to see whether or not electrical work sounds like a good fit? Here’s some key information.
What’s It Like Being an Electrician?
Rather than working 9-to-5, most electricians work on call. A typical day involves going to clients’ homes or businesses and not just solving the issue, but first identifying it.
Being an electrician is more than just fixing things. To be an electrician, you should be a real problem-solver!
What’s It Like Being an Electrician Assistant?
If you aren’t so sure about the problem-identifying aspect of the electrician job, consider being an electrician assistant.
You’ll work the same hours as the electrician or electricians you work with, but you’ll be there to assist, naturally. This job involves bringing tools and parts to the electrician, and helping with labor as needed.
How To Become an Electrician
If, after reading all this, you’re ready to start a new career in electrical work, here’s how.
You don’t need a college degree to become an electrician, but you have to be at least 18 and typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
On top of that, electricians go through special training to earn certification. This could be at a training school or through an apprenticeship.
Curious About Other New Careers?
Now that you’ve learned all about doing electrical work as an electrician or assistant, are you interested in exploring other options? We have information about all kinds of career paths on our site, so you can read up on anything you have in mind.
If you already have a career and are looking for help on things like doing taxes, we have articles for you, too! We’re here to make sure you stay productive and don’t get bored at home.
