Description

Electrician helpers assist master electricians by performing supportive tasks in the installation, maintenance, and repair of systems that use and transmit electricity, including indoor wiring and power and control systems that are part of HVAC/R operations.

Electricians and electrician helpers work on specific parts of HVAC/R systems rather than installing, maintaining, and repairing them in their entirety. The role of specialized tradespeople is more common in union jobs than in non-union jobs. As property owners strive to increase energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint, electricians and electrician helpers need to be increasingly knowledgeable about the wiring materials and configurations used in electricity-based HVAC/R systems (e.g., heat pumps, heat recovery systems), building automation systems, and smart home devices.

Electrician helpers generally work under the supervision of an experienced electrician and provide assistance by cleaning and preparing the workspace, tools, and electrical equipment needed for the job. Helpers’ responsibilities include measuring and cutting wires and examining wires for loose connections, so it is necessary to be detail-oriented. Knowledge of electrical symbols and being able to read diagrams is important, as helpers may assist in testing electrical systems, troubleshooting problems, and repairing or replacing components such as bulbs, fuses, switches, and sockets.

Electrician helpers need the strength to move materials weighing up to 50 pounds, flexibility to work in cramped areas, and the ability to climb ladders and work at elevated heights. It is critical that electrician helpers have good color vision to easily differentiate wires, and they should possess excellent manual dexterity to safely work with their hands and use tools.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary to work as an electrician helper. Helpers need to document the materials and time that they use to complete tasks, and they must be able to follow instructions that they read in equipment manuals or are spoken by their supervisor. Since electrician helpers receive on-the-job training and work alongside skilled electricians, listening and teamwork skills are needed to build an effective work relationship.

Electrician helpers are typically employed at worksites on a full-time basis, and they may often be on call for emergencies. Overtime shifts and work schedules can include evenings and weekends.

Job Outlook

According to the New York State Department of Labor, there are approximately 5,200 electrician helpers in New York State. They project this occupation to grow by 240 jobs between 2018 and 2028; employment prospects are described as unfavorable because the projected growth rate is small, and there is not expected to be a large number of job openings compared to other occupations.

Entering the Field

Workers typically need to have a high school diploma or GED to work as an electrician helper. It is not necessary to have prior experience in the field, and on-the-job training teaches electrician helpers the skills needed to perform the job within a few weeks. Helpers who decide to advance their careers by becoming a journey-level electrician may eventually choose to apply to an apprenticeship program, in which they receive classroom instruction and additional hands-on training. 

Employers may require electrician helpers to have a driver’s license, so they can travel from one worksite to another. Helpers do not usually need other licenses or certifications, but workers who do choose to advance and become a journeyperson may eventually need to be licensed by local government authorities to work as a master tradesperson.

Check local government requirements for more information regarding working in the electrical trades.

Wages

In New York State, the median wage for electrician helpers is approximately $41,300. Entry-level workers earn about $34,500 and experienced workers earn about $49,000.

Annual Wage (Q1 2021 dollars, rounded to 100s) – Statewide and by Labor Market Region

Source: New York State Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Survey, SOC Code 47-3013 (Helpers-Electricians); N/A denotes wage data that is not available.