Employers
Approximately 779,800 electricians are employed in the United States. They work in almost every industry imaginable, from construction to telecommunications to health care to transportation and more. Most work for contractors, but many work for institutional employers that require their own maintenance crews, or for government agencies. About 7 percent of electricians are self-employed.
Starting Out
People seeking to enter this field may either begin working as helpers or they may enter an apprenticeship program. Leads for helper jobs may be located by contacting electrical contractors directly or by checking with the local offices of the state employment service or in newspaper classified advertising sections. Students in trade and vocational programs may be able to find job openings through the placement office of their school.
If you are interested in an apprenticeship, you may start by contacting the union local of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the local chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors Inc., or the local apprenticeship training committee. Information on apprenticeships also can be obtained through the state employment service.
- Architects
- Asbestos Abatement Technicians
- Assessors and Appraisers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Boilermakers and Mechanics
- Bricklayers and Stonemasons
- Building Automation Systems Engineers
- Building Automation Systems Technicians
- Building Performance Diagnosticians
- Carpenters
- Cement Masons
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Chimney Sweeps
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Civil Engineers
- Coal Miners
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- Construction Inspectors
- Construction Laborers
- Construction Managers
- Cost Estimators
- Divers and Diving Technicians
- Drafters
- Drywall Installers and Finishers
- Elevator Installers and Repairers
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
- Energy Transmission and Distribution Workers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Floor Covering Installers
- Fluid Power Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Futurists
- General Maintenance Mechanics
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Glaziers
- Green Builders
- Groundwater Professionals
- Heating and Cooling Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Insulators/Insulation Workers
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Landmen
- Landscape Architects
- Lathers
- Line Installers and Cable Splicers
- Locksmiths
- Marble Setters, Tile Setters, and Terrazzo Workers
- Materials Engineers
- Metallurgical Engineers
- Metallurgical Technicians
- Meter Readers, Utilities
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Millwrights
- Mining Engineers
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Nuclear Engineers
- Nuclear Reactor Operators and Technicians
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Operating Engineers
- Painters and Paperhangers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Petroleum Technicians
- Plasterers
- Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Power Plant Workers
- Radiation Protection Technicians
- Real Estate Developers
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Renewable Energy Site Assessors
- Roofers
- Roustabouts
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Smart Building Systems Designers
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Stationary Engineers
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Swimming Pool Designers
- Telephone and PBX Installers and Repairers
- Traffic Engineers
- Truck Drivers
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Welders and Welding Technicians
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers