Electrical Installer
Electrician
Apply technical knowledge and skills to install indoor and outdoor residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems, and associated power transmission lines.
What Electrical Installers Do
Apply technical knowledge and skills to install indoor and outdoor residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems, and associated power transmission lines.
Common Tasks
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- 1Inspect, test, and measure completed work, using devices such as hand tools or gauges to verify conformance to standards or repair requirements.
- 2Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules.
- 3Interpret specifications, blueprints, or job orders to construct templates and lay out reference points for workers.
- 4Monitor employees' work levels and review work performance.
- 5Perform skilled repair or maintenance operations, using equipment such as hand or power tools, hydraulic presses or shears, or welding equipment.
What You'll Learn
Types of Electrical Installers
Work Environment
Locations
- • Construction sites
- • Residential and commercial buildings
- • Utility substations and generating stations
- • Outdoor power line corridors and streets
- • Industrial facilities and plants
Schedule
Schedules often vary with project deadlines and outages, and may include early starts, overtime, on-call shifts, and weather-dependent work.
Physical Demands
Work can be physically demanding, with frequent standing, handling heavy tools/materials, and bending or twisting. Some roles require climbing and working at heights or in outdoor conditions with high time pressure.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 768,300 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Grid upgrades, renewable energy projects, and storm hardening are increasing the need for line and substation work. Ongoing maintenance and replacement of aging electrical infrastructure also supports steady demand.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Strong wages in many electrical specialties
- • Work that is hands-on and problem-solving focused
- • Skills transfer across construction, industrial, and utility jobs
- • Clear advancement paths to lead or supervisor roles
- • High demand for safety-trained workers
Cons
- • Risk of injury from electricity, heights, and heavy equipment
- • Outdoor work in heat, cold, and storms for line roles
- • Irregular hours, overtime, and emergency call-outs
- • Physically tiring work over long shifts
- • Strict code compliance and high responsibility for safety
Common Questions About the Electrical Installer Trade
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