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 ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingTroubleshootingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationRepairingOperations MonitoringInstallationComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningTime ManagementMonitoringEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceOperation and ControlSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionWritingService OrientationLearning StrategiesInstructingPersuasionMathematicsSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesScienceOperations AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignProgramming
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityDesignCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyPhysicsTransportationTelecommunicationsComputers and ElectronicsProduction and ProcessingCommunications and MediaAdministrativePersonnel and Human ResourcesEconomics and AccountingLaw and GovernmentSales and MarketingGeographyChemistryPsychologySociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingForeign LanguageMedicine and DentistryBiologyFine ArtsFood ProductionHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and Theology
Technology & tools
Computer-aided drafting or design softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareRecordkeeping softwareReport generation software
Representative tasks
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesProcessing InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsGetting InformationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsControlling Machines and ProcessesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsAnalyzing Data or InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleThinking CreativelyTraining and Teaching OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesSelling or Influencing OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsCoaching and Developing OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesWorking with Computers
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
25 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
ApprenticeAutomotive Electrician Helper (Auto Electrician Helper)E and I Apprentice (Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice)E and I Apprentice (Electrician and Instrumentation Apprentice)Electrical ApprenticeElectrical AssistantElectrical HelperElectrical Sign Wirer HelperElectrician ApprenticeElectrician AssistantElectrician HelperElectrician's AssistantElectrician's HelperHelperHouse Wirer HelperInside Wireman ApprenticeInstallation HelperMarine Electrician HelperMaterial and Supply Yard AssistantProtective Signal Installer HelperProtective Signal Repairer HelperShop HelperStage Electrician HelperTower Erector HelperWireman Apprentice