Electrician - The 100 Best Jobs and Careers for 2013

Circuits, fuses, volts, and watts—terms that we vaguely recall from our grade school science class—are all part of an electrician’s jargon. The more than 577,000 workers in this profession know the ins and outs of designing lighting systems, installing wiring, inspecting electrical systems, diagnosing problems, and repairing faulty wiring and fixtures. To qualify for such work, electricians have to undergo at least four years of training as an apprentice, followed by whatever licensing their state might require. Most in the profession specialize in either designing, installing, maintaining, and repairing the motors, equipment, and electrical systems of businesses and factories, or in installing, maintaining, and repairing the electrical systems of residences. “I like to work on projects that have complex systems, such as water and waste water treatment facilities,” says Ryan Lee, an apprentice with the Ohio-based company Claypool Electric. “I am kind of a perfectionist and these types of facilities require a great deal of accuracy to ensure that tasks are done accurately.”
 There are other subsets, like electricians who specialize in wiring ships and airplanes, or electricians who coordinate the lighting for a motion picture or television program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the most stable employment is for electricians who work for businesses and factories. And at present, this is a profession where employment is expected to blossom. Learning to use alternative energy sources in homes and businesses requires coordination with electricians, and maintenance still needs to be performed on older electrical systems. The BLS predicts this occupation will grow by 23 percent from 2010 to 2020, which translates to 133,700 new positions.
Salary
 This can be a lucrative career. In 2011, the median wage for an electrician was $49,320. The highest-paid earned north of $80,000, while the lowest-paid electricians earned around $30,000 that year. The best-paying industries include motion pictures (where electricians are known as gaffers), and natural gas distribution. The best-paying cities include Vallejo, Calif., New York City, and Fairbanks, Alaska. An apprentice usually makes between 30 percent and 50 percent less than someone who is fully trained.Salary Range
75th Percentile $65,260
Median $49,320
25th Percentile $49,320