Are electricians happy? (2024)

FAQs

Are electricians happy with their job? ›

According to a CareerExplorer survey, electricians rate their career happiness as 3.0 out of 5 stars. This rates them in the bottom 29% of career happiness.

Some perform their duties at night or may have to work on weekends and they often work on holidays to help meet the needs of their customers. Electricians don't have the best work-life balance, especially since overtime work is common for these professionals.

The high-stakes nature of electrical work, where mistakes can have serious safety implications, can be a significant source of stress for electricians. This stress can carry over into personal life, affecting an electrician's ability to unwind and enjoy downtime away from the job.

Electricians tend to be bright. The average IQ is 110, just above normal.

What is the hardest trade to learn? Electrical and HVAC trades require intensive technical training, which can be difficult to learn. Electrician schools teach students how to install, maintain, and repair electrical systems.

In reality, the average life expectancy for NEBF participants — and likely for IBEW members in general — is 82.3 years. Since roughly 53 percent of IBEW members choose early retirement at 62, that means the average retiree receives benefits for more than 20 years before passing away.

It's a Well-Respected Profession

Many people consider electricians to be at the top of the construction and trade field. It's widely understood how much skill and expert knowledge an electrician needs to do their job correctly.

The physical demands can be considerable; electricians often work in cramped or hard-to-reach spaces, and may occasionally have to lift heavy equipment. Long and irregular working hours can also make an appearance - especially if you wind up running your own business.

Electricians are consistently exposed to the dangers of electricity throughout their workday. From power lines to hazardous equipment, there are a number of ways an electrician may get injured.

Why did I quit being an electrician? ›

It is also common for electricians to blame their working conditions on their reason for leaving the industry, with the most common reason being a bad boss. One of the recurring themes amongst electricians is that they feel they are being blamed for things going wrong more often than not.

Contrary to public opinion, the integration of AI isn't about replacing the skilled electrician; it's about augmenting their capabilities with precision and efficiency. AI is working to revolutionize maintenance work by shifting the focus from reactive to predictive.

For example, men make up roughly 90 percent of all workers in the construction industry. When it comes to electricians, the gender gap is even more pronounced: In 2022, only 2. 2 percent of electricians in the U.S. were women.

In the future, the need for these workers can grow more than 50 percent, including jobs such as installing solar panels, developing and inventing new energy solutions, and working on new automated tracking systems.

Electricians are in the top five highest paid non-degree professions. For years, society has funneled high school students towards college. With fewer people entering the skilled trades, it has become increasing difficult for businesses to hire qualified workers. Lack of skilled labor has led to high wages.