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Electricians

Construction and Extraction (47-2111)
Bright Outlook

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

At a Glance

Electricians earns a median of $62,350/yr with +9.5% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Performing General Physical Activities, Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates, Microsoft Windows.

Median Annual Wage

$62,350/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+9.5%

Annual Openings

81

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (9)

Troubleshooting

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

4.0
Repairing

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

3.5
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.4
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.4
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.4
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.3
Quality Control Analysis

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

3.3
Installation

Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

3.3
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.3

Knowledge (5)

Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

3.7
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.6
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.4
Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

3.4
Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

3.3

Abilities (18)

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

4.0
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

4.0
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.9
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.9
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.8
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.8
Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

3.8
Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

3.6
Visual Color Discrimination

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

3.6
Extent Flexibility

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

3.5
Visualization

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

3.4
Trunk Strength

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

3.4
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.4
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.4
Far Vision

The ability to see details at a distance.

3.3
Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

3.3
Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

3.3
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.3

Technology (8)

Microsoft Windows

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Autodesk AutoCAD

Category: Computer aided design CAD software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Acrobat

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
SAP software

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (33)

Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

4.7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.6
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.5
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.5
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.4
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.4
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.3
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

4.3
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.2
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

4.2
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

4.2
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.2
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

4.0
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

4.0
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

3.9
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.9
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.8
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.7
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.7
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.7
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

3.7
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

3.6
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

3.6
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.6
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment

Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

3.5
Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

3.5
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment

Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

3.5
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.5
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.5
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.4
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

3.4
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.3
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

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