Occupation · SOC 47-3013
Helpers--Electricians
Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Median wage
$39,890
$31,200–$56,770
Projected growth
+0.1%
Slower than average
Annual openings
10
per year
Employed (US)
64,440
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
4 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationTroubleshootingQuality Control Analysis
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityDesignCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareData base user interface and query softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter.Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.Maintain tools, vehicles, and equipment and keep parts and supplies in order.Drill holes and pull or push wiring through openings, using hand and power tools.Clean work area and wash parts.Perform semi-skilled and unskilled laboring duties related to the installation, maintenance and repair of a wide variety of electrical systems and equipment.Thread conduit ends, connect couplings, and fabricate and secure conduit support brackets, using hand tools.Disassemble defective electrical equipment, replace defective or worn parts, and reassemble equipment, using hand tools.Construct controllers and panels, using power drills, drill presses, taps, saws, and punches.Transport tools, materials, equipment, and supplies to work site by hand, handtruck, or heavy, motorized truck.String transmission lines or cables through ducts or conduits, under the ground, through equipment, or to towers.Install copper-clad ground rods, using a manual post driver.Dig trenches or holes for installation of conduit or supports.Raise, lower, or position equipment, tools, and materials, using hoist, hand line, or block and tackle.Bolt component parts together to form tower assemblies, using hand tools.Erect electrical system components and barricades, and rig scaffolds, hoists, and shoring.Trim trees and clear undergrowth along right-of-way.Requisition materials, using warehouse requisition or release forms.Solder electrical connections, using soldering iron.Paint a variety of objects related to electrical functions.Break up concrete, using airhammer, to facilitate installation, construction, or repair of equipment.Operate heavy equipment, such as backhoes.Operate cutting torches and welding equipment, while working with conduit and metal components to construct devices associated with electrical functions.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Wire ends and stripping pliers — identify and use under direct supervision to remove insulation and prepare wires for attachment on a residential job site.Basic hand tools and measuring instruments — measure and cut wire to specified lengths following a journeyman electrician's direction on a construction site.Electrical conduit and bending tools — bend conduit to prescribed angles under close supervision in a commercial building installation context.Test meters and short-circuit indicators — recognize and report wiring faults to a supervising electrician during routine site inspections.Loose connections and broken insulation — examine electrical units for visible defects under direct guidance on active job sites.Hand and power drills — drill holes through walls and framing members following marked locations as directed by a lead electrician.Wiring and pull lines — assist in pushing or pulling wire through conduit and wall openings under supervision on new construction sites.Work area tools and supplies — clean work areas, wash parts, and organize materials at the end of each shift on a construction or maintenance site.Personal protective equipment and safety protocols — follow established public safety procedures when working near energized systems under direct oversight.Tool and equipment inventory — maintain and return hand tools and power tools to designated storage at the close of each workday on a job site.
developing
Wire stripping pliers and terminal connectors — strip insulation and secure wire ends to terminals with minimal oversight in preparation for soldering on residential and light commercial projects.Test meters and circuit diagrams — trace short circuits through wiring systems independently, applying learned troubleshooting steps on routine service calls.Measuring instruments and hand tools — measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit to specification without continuous supervision on mid-scale commercial installations.Electrical units and junction boxes — inspect and tighten loose connections and replace damaged insulation using hand tools during scheduled maintenance visits.Tools, vehicles, and parts inventory — maintain assigned equipment and supply stock in proper working order across multiple active job sites.Hand and power tools — drill openings and route wiring through finished wall cavities and structural members during renovation and retrofit projects.Semi-skilled electrical tasks — perform a range of installation and repair duties under reduced oversight, adapting methods to varying site conditions.Active listening and coordination skills — communicate task progress and material needs clearly with journeyman electricians and site supervisors during daily operations.Quality control checks — identify and flag substandard workmanship or non-compliant wiring runs before final inspection on construction projects.Site cleanliness and material handling — dispose of scrap wire and conduit correctly and maintain an orderly workspace throughout multi-day installation jobs.
proficient
Wire preparation and terminal connections — perform full insulation stripping, wire attachment, and pre-solder preparation autonomously across residential, commercial, and light industrial projects.Short-circuit diagnostics and test meters — trace and isolate faults in complex wiring systems independently, interpreting meter readings and circuit layouts without assistance.Conduit layout and bending calculations — plan, measure, cut, and bend conduit runs to meet design specifications on large-scale commercial construction sites.Electrical unit inspections — conduct thorough evaluations of connections, insulation integrity, and panel conditions, making corrective repairs without supervisory direction.Fleet and equipment maintenance — manage the upkeep of tools, vehicles, and specialty equipment, scheduling service intervals to minimize job-site downtime.Wiring installation through complex structures — drill and route wiring through finished ceilings, fire-rated assemblies, and conditioned spaces while meeting code requirements.Full-scope electrical support duties — execute semi-skilled and unskilled installation, maintenance, and repair tasks across diverse system types with full accountability for outcomes.Troubleshooting judgment — apply critical thinking to prioritize and resolve non-routine electrical problems encountered during maintenance and repair assignments.Code and safety compliance — verify that all completed work meets applicable building and electrical codes before sign-off, protecting site safety and regulatory standing.Mentoring and on-site guidance — demonstrate correct techniques and safety practices to newer helpers, supporting skill development during shared field assignments.
advanced
Wire and conduit installation standards — establish site-wide best practices for wire preparation and conduit layout, ensuring consistent quality across all helper and apprentice teams.Fault-finding methodology — develop and communicate systematic troubleshooting procedures for short circuits and wiring defects used by all crew members on large commercial projects.Material and tool procurement strategy — lead the planning, ordering, and management of parts, supplies, and equipment inventories to support multi-crew electrical projects on schedule.Safety and compliance program — set and enforce public safety and electrical code standards across job sites, conducting audits and corrective action for the entire helper workforce.Workforce coordination — direct the daily assignments and workflow of multiple helper teams across simultaneous construction or maintenance projects, optimizing crew productivity.Quality assurance oversight — design and implement inspection checkpoints for electrical installations, reviewing completed work against design specifications before contractor sign-off.Training curriculum development — create structured on-the-job learning plans and task progressions for incoming helpers, aligned with apprenticeship milestones and Job Zone 2 expectations.Cross-trade collaboration — represent the electrical helper team in coordination meetings with general contractors, engineers, and other trades to integrate work sequences on complex builds.Performance evaluation and feedback — assess individual helper competency levels, document progress, and recommend advancement or additional training based on observed field performance.Operational process improvement — analyze recurring inefficiencies in tool use, material flow, and task sequencing, implementing changes that reduce rework and improve site safety outcomes.
Also known as
51 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
House Wirer HelperElectrician's AssistantElectrical Power Production Craftsman (Air Force 3E072)Electrical Power Production Apprentice (Air Force 3E032)Electrical ApprenticeElectrical Systems Apprentice (Air Force 3E031)Material and Supply Yard AssistantHelper, ElectricalElectrician (Marine Corps 1141)Cyberspace Warfare Operator (Marine Corps 1721)Tower Erector HelperElectrician AssistantApprenticeProtective-Signal-Repairer HelperE and I Apprentice (Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice)Interior Electrician (Army 12R)Damage Controlman (Coast Guard DC)Electrician's Mate (Coast Guard EM)Support Equipment Electrician/Refrigeration and Engine/Gas Turbine Technician (Marine Corps 6073)Construction Electrician (Navy CE)Protective Signal Repairer HelperMarine Electrician HelperElectrical Power Production Journeyman (Air Force 3E052)Wireman ApprenticeElectrical HelperUtilities Systems Technician (Marine Corps 1164)Marine Safety Specialist Engineer (Coast Guard MSSE)Electrical Sign Wirer HelperElectrical Power Production Helper (Air Force 3E012)Electrical Systems (Air Force 3E0X1)Automotive Electrician Helper (Auto Electrician Helper)Electrical Power Production (Air Force 3E0X2)Fire Controlman (Navy FC)Electrical Systems Journeyman (Air Force 3E051)Electrical Systems Helper (Air Force 3E011)Electrician ApprenticeInstallation HelperNetwork Administrator (Marine Corps 0631)Material Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)Electrician Helper