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Electricians

THE JOB

ELECTRICIANS plan, lay out, install, repair, and maintain electrical 
equipment that provides light, heat, communications, and power.  
Electricians perform electrical work required in the building and 
remodeling of structures.  They assemble, install and connect lighting 
and power systems, thermostats, intercoms, signaling systems and 
ventilators.  Electricians follow blueprints and specifications to install 
electrical wires, cables and conduit systems.  Electricians must have good 
mechanical ability, a thorough knowledge of the principles of electricity, 
circuitry, and power distribution within a building and familiarity with 
the materials and techniques of construction.  For safety, Electricians 
follow local electrical building and safety codes.  On small jobs they may 
work alone with minimal supervision, and they may supervise an apprentice.
On large jobs they may work under the direction of the Electrician 
Supervisor or Superintendent.

Maintenance Electricians typically work in large industrial buildings, 
commercial establishments and production or processing plants.  
Maintenance Electricians perform most of their work in preventive 
maintenance and repairing electrical systems rather than installing new 
systems.  When a breakdown occurs, they must diagnose and locate the 
cause, correct the problem and restore service quickly.  In some 
organizations they may keep records, write reports, plan and estimate 
jobs, and order supplies and equipment.  In hospitals, hotels and public 
buildings, Electricians must operate and maintain emergency generators in 
the event of power failure.

Other Electricians specialize in electrical work for ship and boat 
building, water transportation, aircraft manufacturing, theaters and 
motion pictures, elevator maintenance, neon signs, and power generating 
plants.  All Electricians must be familiar with hand tools and test 
equipment such as ohmmeters, ammeters, voltmeters, and continuity testers.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Electricians on new building construction often work outside in noisy 
surroundings.  In old buildings, they may work in cramped, dirty, poorly 
ventilated spaces.  They should have their own transportation. Construction
electrical work is not as affected by seasonal conditions as other building
activities.  Maintenance Electricians usually work in completed structures,
which may vary from clean, air-conditioned offices to noisy, dirty factory 
areas.  Their work may require working night shifts.

Electricians may work from ladders, scaffolds and roofs.  They risk 
electrical shock, potentially lethal, and injuries from falling objects.  
They may be required to dig trenches to lay conduit.

Electricians usually work with little or no supervision.  Employers furnish
heavy tools such as pipe threaders and conduit benders and most test meters
and power tools.  Electricians must have their own hand tools, which 
usually cost a minimum of $500.  Some municipalities require electricians 
to be licensed.  Most Electricians are members of the International 
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections and Planning
Information report published by the Labor Market Information Division.

Estimated number of workers in 1993             38,220
Estimated number of workers in 2005             45,160
Projected Growth Percentage 1993-2005              18%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005   11,250

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

General economic conditions affect the construction industry and, in turn, 
the demand for construction Electricians.  The demand for building 
maintenance Electricians is generally more stable.

There are limited openings for apprentice Electricians.  Control of the 
supply of Electricians is maintained by correlating the number of 
apprentices accepted in training programs with the economic conditions in 
the construction industry and the number of anticipated retirements and 
separations.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Wages paid Electricians vary depending upon union membership, the industry 
involved, and the area in which the job is located.  Union construction 
Electricians generally average around $27 per hour.  Entry level wages for 
non-union members range from $4.75 to $12.50 per hour.  Experienced 
non-union Electricians may receive from $6.00 to $32.00 per hour.  In all 
cases fringe benefits are extra and vary considerably.  The wage rate for
apprentices starts at 35 to 50 percent of journey-level median wages in 
the construction field and 35 to 60 percent in maintenance.  These wages 
increase every six months during the required four-year training period. 

Wages are the highest in urban areas such as Los Angeles and San 
Francisco, and lowest in the central valley and rural areas.

The standard workweek is generally 32 to 40 hours as determined by contract
or company policy.  Overtime, weekend, and holiday pay is also set by 
contract or company policy.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

The usual entrance into the trade is through apprenticeship or on-the-job 
training (for non-union members).  Candidates must be at least 18 years 
old and have a high school diploma, although GED may be acceptable.  
Completion of two semesters of algebra with a passing grade is highly 
desirable but one semester is usually required.  Candidates are carefully
screened and must achieve a passing score on the qualifying examination.  
The program consists of from 7,200 to 8,000 hours of combined on-the-job 
and classroom training.  A joint apprenticeship program is set up by the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National 
Electrical Contractors Association.  Upon completion of the program, they
receive a "Certificate of Completion" from the California Division of 
Apprenticeship Standards.

Another method of entry into this occupation is completion of an 
electrical construction and maintenance program at a vocational or 
trade college.  Graduates work as trainees, gaining journey-level status 
after from six months to two years.  High school students wishing to enter 
by either route should take courses in physics, blueprint reading and shop.
Applicants must be in good physical condition.  They must have normal 
vision, and good color perception to distinguish between various colored 
wires.  Finger and manual dexterity is needed for using hand and power 
tools.  Many employers require applicants to pass a physical examination as
a condition of employment.


ADVANCEMENT

Experienced Electricians may advance to Leadperson, Supervisor, Chief 
Electrician, or Superintendent.  Many Electricians enter business as 
independent electrical contractors.  Others work as trade or vocational 
school instructors, building supply sales representatives, electrical 
inspectors or estimators.


FINDING THE JOB

Apprenticeship candidates should inquire at the union, the California 
Division of Apprenticeship Standards or the California Employment 
Development Department.  Non-union entrants who graduated from vocational 
or trade schools may apply directly to employers for an on-the-job 
training program or work with trade school recruiters.  Experienced 
Electricians apply to the union or directly to private employers and civil 
service agencies.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
302 8th Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94402
(415) 579-3683
http://www.ibew.org/IBEWhome.htm

Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Apprenticeship Standards
455 Golden Gate Avenue, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 703-4920
http://www.dir.ca.gov/das/das.html


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Appliance Service Technician            No. 161


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Electrician                         824.261-010

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Electricians                             872020


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department,
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.