How much does a helpers--electricians make?

The median helpers--electricians salary in the United States is $42,670 per year ($20.51/hour). Salaries range from $33,020 (10th percentile) to $58,340 (90th percentile). There are 63,630 helpers--electricians jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays helpers--electricianss the most?

The highest paying state for helpers--electricianss is Washington at $61,110 median salary.

Is helpers--electricians a good career?

Helpers--Electricians employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034 (slower than average). There are approximately 6,800 job openings per year. Typical education required: High school diploma or equivalent.

What interview questions are asked for helpers--electricians roles?

Common helpers--electricians interview questions include: "Walk me through your last day on the job.", "Explain the difference between hot, neutral, and ground.", "You're pulling wire and the journeyman is yelling to go faster. The pull is binding. What do you do?". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example IBEW/NECA signatory contractors typically uses 3-4 phases over 3-9 months (batch intake).

What is the career ladder for helpers--electricianss?

The typical helpers--electricians career ladder: Electrician Helper / Laborer (0-2 yrs, $34-46k ($16-22/hr)) → Apprentice Electrician (Year 1-4) (1-4 yrs, $38-72k stepping up every 6-12 months) → Journeyman Electrician (4-10 yrs, $58-108k depending on region, union, and specialty) → Foreman / Master Electrician / Contractor (10+ yrs, $85-165k+ with truck and per diem; owner-operators $120-300k+).

What certifications should helpers--electricianss get?

Top-ROI certifications for helpers--electricianss: OSHA 10-Hour Construction ($60-120); OSHA 30-Hour Construction ($150-250); NCCER Electrical Level 1-4 ($0-1,000 depending on employer sponsorship).

How do you negotiate a helpers--electricians salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $42,670, p75 $48,470), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. One year on commercial rough-in with OSHA 10, first aid/CPR, and my IBEW Local [#] aptitude test scheduled — market for a helper with my paperwork in this metro is $19-23/hr. I'd like to start at $21/hr with a formal re...

Helpers--Electricians Salary

The median helpers--electricians salary in the United States is $42,670 per year ($20.51/hour). Salaries range from $33,020 at the entry level to $58,340+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 63,630 helpers--electricians jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 0.2% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Salary

$42,670

per year

Hourly Rate

$20.51

per hour

Employment

63,630

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$33,020

25th percentile

$36,830

Median

$42,670

75th percentile

$48,470

90th percentile

$58,340

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+0.2%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

6,800

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Short-term on-the-job training

Helpers--Electricians Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for helpers--electricianss.

Electrician helpers work alongside journeyman electricians on residential rewires, commercial buildouts, industrial installations, and service work. The role is the paid on-ramp into the trade — most helpers move into an IBEW or IEC apprenticeship within 6-18 months. Entry $34-46k (~$16-22/hr); after OSHA 10 and one year of experience, $40-56k; union pre-apprentice or CE (Construction Electrician) apprentice pay steps up every six months. Journeyman wages run $58-108k depending on region and union status.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Jobsite safety and NEC awareness

OSHA 10; lockout/tagout; PPE for arc-flash exposure; understanding NFPA 70E boundaries. Basic knowledge of the National Electrical Code even if you don't cite it.

Material handling and prep

Pulling conduit and wire from the truck, cutting and reaming EMT and rigid, bending 90s and offsets, assembling boxes and mud rings, staging fixtures.

Hand and power tools

Klein linesman's pliers, dikes, strippers, side cutters, screwdriver set, tape measure. Power: hammer drill for anchors, hole saw, band saw, PVC bender.

Conduit bending basics

1/2 and 3/4 EMT stub-ups, 90-degree bends, offsets and saddles under supervision. Learning the shrink and multipliers so you're not off by an inch every time.

Wire pulling and terminations

Fish tape and pull rope handling, lubing wire, pulling multi-conductor into pipe, stripping and landing on devices, splicing with wire nuts and Wago-style connectors.

Blueprint and one-line reading

Reading a single-line diagram at a basic level, tracing branch circuits, and understanding lighting and receptacle symbols on architectural plans.

Tool and material inventory

Keeping the truck stocked, restocking after each site, tracking small parts. The apprenticeship intake process weights reliability heavily; helpers who lose fittings lose spots.

How to Become a Helpers--Electricians

1
Finish high school with algebra II and a driver's license
IBEW aptitude test and most state apprenticeships require algebra II. A clean driving record is required for company trucks and van keys.
2
Complete OSHA 10 and a first-aid course
OSHA 10 for construction is required on almost every commercial site. First aid/CPR is a common apprenticeship prerequisite.
3
Take a helper role at $34-46k on a residential or commercial crew
Non-union shops, IEC contractors, and open-shop electrical subs hire helpers directly. Union locals often route through the pre-apprentice or 'CE' classification.
4
Apply to IBEW or IEC apprenticeship
IBEW/NECA JATC apprenticeships are 4-5 years, paid, with structured wage steps and pension. IEC apprenticeships are 4 years, non-union, with similar structure. Aptitude test + interview + physical.
5
Advance through apprenticeship to journeyman electrician at 4-5 years
Journeyman card unlocks $58-108k in wages depending on region and specialty. Master electrician license (8-12 years) is the ownership ladder.

Career Progression

Electrician Helper / Laborer

0-2 yrs$34-46k ($16-22/hr)

•Fetch material and tools
•Cut and ream conduit, assemble boxes
•Pull wire under supervision
•Complete OSHA 10, first aid, and apprentice paperwork

Next: Apprenticeship at 6-18 months once you've proven attendance and effort.

Apprentice Electrician (Year 1-4)

1-4 yrs$38-72k stepping up every 6-12 months

•Work under a journeyman on installations and service
•Complete 144-192 classroom hours + 2,000 OJT hours per year
•Bend conduit, pull wire, terminate devices, troubleshoot with meters
•Study NEC and pass each period's test

Next: Journeyman card at completion.

Journeyman Electrician

4-10 yrs$58-108k depending on region, union, and specialty

•Own daily production on residential, commercial, or industrial work
•Read prints and lay out independently
•Troubleshoot low-voltage and 480V systems
•Mentor apprentices and helpers

Next: Foreman / Master Electrician at 8-14 years.

Foreman / Master Electrician / Contractor

10+ yrs$85-165k+ with truck and per diem; owner-operators $120-300k+

•Run a crew of 3-15
•Coordinate with GC, MEP subs, and inspectors
•Own permits, inspections, and code compliance
•Bid, estimate, and manage owner-side jobs

Next: Electrical contractor owner, service manager, or estimator.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through your last day on the job.technical

Structure it as tailgate meeting, PPE check, primary task (rough-in on a wall, pulling feeder, service change), specific tools you ran, one thing you flagged to the journeyman, cleanup and truck restock. Foremen screen helpers by whether they can describe the day at that level of detail.

Q2. Explain the difference between hot, neutral, and ground.technical

Hot carries current from the source; neutral is the return path back to the source; ground is a safety path to earth so faults trip a breaker instead of energizing metal. On a standard 120V branch circuit, hot is black, neutral is white, ground is bare or green. Being able to explain this in plain language matters more than reciting the NEC — foremen care that you understand the safety story.

Q3. You're pulling wire and the journeyman is yelling to go faster. The pull is binding. What do you do?situational

Stop the pull. Faster on a binding pull damages insulation and can shear conductors. Say plainly 'it's binding, I need to check for a snag.' Every real electrician has been on a bad pull; the good ones don't push through it and hope. Foremen respect helpers who prioritize the wire over the schedule.

Q4. Which apprenticeship are you targeting and why?closer

Name the specific local (IBEW Local [#]) or IEC chapter and explain what drew you — the training school, the mix of commercial and industrial, the pension, or the reputation of the local. Interviewers screen for helpers who understand the specific pathway they're on rather than 'any apprenticeship.'

Q5. What tools do you show up with?technical

Klein 9-inch linesman, 8-inch dikes, strippers, adjustable, insulated screwdrivers, 25-ft tape, wire nuts, headlamp, hardhat and safety glasses. Multimeter if you have one. Foremen respect helpers who bring the kit — losing a day because someone borrowed pliers is a fast way to get replaced.

Resume Template — Electrician Helper (0-2 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Electrician Helper (0-2 yrs)

▸One year on commercial rough-in and rewire crews; comfortable with 1/2-3/4 EMT bending, box assembly, and 12/14 AWG pulls.
▸OSHA 10 Construction; first aid/CPR; applying to IBEW Local [#] JATC apprenticeship this quarter (aptitude test scheduled).
▸Own tools: Klein 9-inch linesman, dikes, strippers, adjustable, insulated screwdriver set, Klein NCV tester, 25-ft tape.
▸Clean driving record; 100% attendance for the last 12 months.

What Gets You Rejected

✗Chronic lateness or attendance issues — apprenticeship committees weight this heavily.
✗Fear of heights or ladders — commercial and industrial work runs vertical every day.
✗No basic math (algebra II) — the IBEW aptitude test is a hard gate.
✗Poor tool discipline: losing fittings, borrowing tools, no headlamp.
✗Can't safely work near energized equipment — helpers need to know when to back away.
✗Doesn't respect PPE — safety glasses down, no arc-rated gear near panels.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓IBEW/NECA apprenticeship rates are typically 25-40% higher than non-union pre-apprentice; the biggest single lever.
✓Davis-Bacon prevailing-wage federal work pays $12-25/hr above local non-union rates.
✓Industrial and utility work (data center rough-in, substation work) pays $3-8/hr more than commercial.
✓OSHA 30, CPR/first aid, forklift, and boom lift certs each add $1-2/hr and open more sites.
✓Bilingual Spanish/English is worth $2-4/hr on many crews in the Southwest and Southeast.
✓Aptitude test score — a top-decile IBEW score can bump you up the ranked eligibility list and get you placed 6-12 months sooner.
✓Metro cost-of-living matters — SF, NYC, Boston, Seattle, Chicago union locals pay 35-55% above national helper averages.

Helpers--Electricians Resume Review — $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired helpers--electricianss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

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✓ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Helpers--Electricians Career Kit — $19

✓ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
✓ 6 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
✓ Interview format intel for 6 top employers
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✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
✓ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
✓ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
✓ Detailed salary negotiation script
✓ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
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Helpers--Electricians Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$34K

$61K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
Washington	$61,110	+43.2%	560
Missouri	$58,340	+36.7%	380
Colorado	$56,420	+32.2%	0
Connecticut	$56,020	+31.3%	390
California	$52,080	+22.1%	3,120
Oregon	$49,800	+16.7%	570
Massachusetts	$48,340	+13.3%	610
District of Columbia	$48,300	+13.2%	330
New Mexico	$48,030	+12.6%	510
Hawaii	$47,890	+12.2%	0

Showing 1–10 of 47

Helpers--Electricians Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$76,100	+78.3%
St. Louis, MO-IL	$64,560	+51.3%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$61,260	+43.6%
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$52,690	+23.5%
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$51,030	+19.6%
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$50,880	+19.2%
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$50,160	+17.6%
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$50,160	+17.6%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$49,960	+17.1%
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$49,620	+16.3%

Showing 1–10 of 178

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A helpers--electricians earning $42,670/year would need 1397 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1500 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

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📈 See how helpers--electricians salaries have changed over the past decade.

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