Electricians

AUTOMATION RISK
CALCULATED
5%
risk level
POLLING
20%
Based on 822 votes
LABOR DEMAND
GROWTH
7.1%
by 2031
WAGES
$60,240
or $28.96 hourly
VOLUME
690,050
as of 2022
SUMMARY
JOB SCORE
7.7/10

Automation risk

5% (Minimal Risk)

Minimal Risk (0-20%): Occupations in this category have a low probability of being automated, as they typically demand complex problem-solving, creativity, strong interpersonal skills, and a high degree of manual dexterity. These jobs often involve intricate hand movements and precise coordination, making it difficult for machines to replicate the required tasks.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Some very important qualities of the job are difficult to automate:

  • Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

Some quite important qualities of the job are difficult to automate:

  • Finger Dexterity

  • Manual Dexterity

  • Persuasion

User poll

20% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted that there is a small chance this occupation will be replaced. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 5% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that this occupation will be replaced by robots or AI in the next 20 years?






Growth

Fast growth relative to other professions

The number of 'Electricians' job openings is expected to rise 7.1% by 2031

Total employment, and estimated job openings

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2021 and 2031.
Updated projections are due Sep 2023.

Wages

Moderately paid relative to other professions

In 2022, the median annual wage for 'Electricians' was $60,240, or $28.96 per hour

'Electricians' were paid 30.1% higher than the national median wage, which stood at $46,310

Wages over time

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Volume

Significantly greater range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2022 there were 690,050 people employed as Electricians within the United States.

This represents around 0.47% of the employed workforce across the country.

Put another way, around 1 in 214 people are employed as Electricians.

Job description

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

SOC Code: 47-2111.00

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Comments

Leave a comment

andy (Likely) says
As an electrician's apprentice, I can see how pre-fabrication AI could easily steal away the standard rough-in methods during construction. Residential housing can be streamlined easily since big developers are making the same design for 200,000 homes they build. If a standard was set that pre-fab components were to be used and shipped to the location, you wouldn't need people to wire it up.
Mar 21, 2022 at 01:51 AM
Dave (No chance) says
Maybe to assist with pulling wire and conduit bending perhaps. Don't think AI will replace electricians
Oct 05, 2021 at 02:14 AM
Thomas Bach (No chance) says
Not a chance. I’m an industrial electrician working in the automotive industry. I’m taking care of about 100 robots ( I’m responsible for my 3 manufacturing lines ) and there’s no way any robot today can do what we do. Line operators are being replaced by robots but at the same time, there’s a need for more trades. Let’s be honest, somebody has to fix them. I think I’ll be able to retire safely. It will be a major jump in technology before robots can fix other robots in industrial applications.
Sep 19, 2021 at 02:35 PM
yo lads (No chance) says
too hard to put a robot on a roof and not fall thru it, not happening anytime soon
Sep 19, 2021 at 05:50 AM
Jake D (No chance) says
Understanding electrical theory and the intricacies associated with it when you’re working in physical environments is way beyond what machines can do. Static electricity accumulates, grounds are needed, and a whole lot of work is put into just insulating and making electricity safe to interact with. As a lineman apprentice, I can’t imagine there’ll be a machine that can process all of that, let alone be physically capable of performing all the tasks associated with electrical work. It’s a pretty interdisciplinary field that requires a lot of critical thinking, a lot of consideration of your environment, and is incredibly dangerous.

Personally, I don’t think you can really assess the ability of this field to be automated unless you understand the actions we take to avoid getting shocked, to avoid breaking things, and the volume of equipment we use. It takes two years in trade school and four years in an apprenticeship to create a qualified electrician and even then, they are always learning. Expecting machines to pick up this work within even forty years, assuming technology keeps progressing linearly, is pretty unlikely.

I hope I’m not jinxing myself here but this does seem pretty stupid. I’m a smart guy and I routinely feel like an idiot on the job because there’s just so much to grasp and handle. Expecting a machine to be able to understand, let alone contextualize, and further implement this information is completely fantastical.
Sep 06, 2021 at 03:57 AM
Kade (No chance) says
When electricians, plumbers, and HVAC mechanics are automated, no one will have a job.
Aug 16, 2021 at 04:47 PM
Anthony Hallam (Small chance) says
theirs no way a robot has the dexterity to wire, and it doesn't even have the brain to spot a problem
Jun 04, 2021 at 04:53 PM
1 (Small chance) says
In my opinion, the electrician is too complicated a job for robots, and in addition, the tasks of an electrician sometimes involve repairing robots, motors, or other types of machines. :)
Jan 09, 2021 at 03:09 PM
Sam (No chance) says
Highly dextrous job involving customer interaction, this will not be fully automated for some time.
Jan 02, 2021 at 02:31 PM
frank (No chance) says
nope, no chance its a trade
Aug 09, 2020 at 09:41 PM
anonymous (No chance) says
Electricians make complex decisions unique to individual situations and perform complex motor tasks which would be impossible to practically replicate with a robot. Truly no need to worry about this occupation becoming obsolete.
Jun 08, 2020 at 02:44 AM
Joe (No chance) says
If they can manufacture robots to do complex work and have the mobility to do an electricians work then no one will have a job.
May 14, 2020 at 04:32 AM
Nate (No chance) says
This job and other trade/construction jobs would require significant AI, and by the time we reach that the singularity will have passed, making the concept of "jobs" as we understand them obsolete.
Feb 23, 2020 at 02:44 AM
Kevin (Could go either way) says
Very honest take! Producing humanoids that can do an electrician's job is no issue in my opinion. However, using an AI that can accomplish tasks autonomously will be a far greater challenge.
Mar 29, 2022 at 01:31 AM
Jesse ready (No chance) says
I make anywhere from 300 to 1000 decisions per day based on extremely particular job circumstance. I would understand if the number were based on production electrician or one who is employed to troubleshoot the same piece of equipment everyday.
Dec 25, 2019 at 03:16 AM
Anonymous (Small chance) says
In my mind electrician is too complicated work to be taken by robots , moreover electrician duties are sometimes involved with repairing robots ,engines or other kinds of machines. :)
Dec 23, 2019 at 04:11 PM
Jesse the electrician says
I agree. Even IF there was a way to replace every aspect of what an electrician does they would still be needed to maintain the machines. The only thing I can see robots replacing is wire pulling. Other than that I’d say I picked a safe industry.
Dec 08, 2019 at 05:20 PM
anon (No chance) says
Will be one of the last professions to be automate especially in service. Definitely not an accountant.
Dec 08, 2019 at 05:15 PM
Tom (No chance) says
Electricians will be needed to fix robots
Sep 07, 2019 at 05:17 AM
john says
make it lowers
Jul 31, 2019 at 07:32 PM

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