Occupation salary profile

Helpers--Electricians

SOC 47-3013 BLS OEWS May 2025

Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist electricians are classified under “Construction Laborers” (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).

National median · BLS
$42,670
▲ +6.97% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$44,080
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
63,630
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Helpers--Electricians

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$33,020
25th$36,830
Median (50th)$42,670
75th$48,470
90th — top pay$58,340

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Helpers--Electricians

BLS projects employment of helpers--electricians to grow 0.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,100 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
65,000 → 65,400
+400 jobs
Projected change
+0.6%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
6,100
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
1.7% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Helpers--Electricians

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Active Listening3.3
  • Critical Thinking3.1
  • Speaking3.1
  • Coordination3.0
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.0
  • Quality Control Analysis3.0
  • Troubleshooting3.0
  • Active Learning2.9
  • Complex Problem Solving2.9
  • Installation2.9
Top knowledge areas
  • Building and Construction4.0
  • Mechanical3.9
  • Public Safety and Security3.9
  • Design3.8
  • Customer and Personal Service3.8
  • Administration and Management3.7
  • Education and Training3.6
  • English Language3.6
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareComputer-aided drafting or design softwareRecordkeeping softwareReport generation software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What helpers--electricians do

  • Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.
  • Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter.
  • Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
  • Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.
  • Maintain tools, vehicles, and equipment and keep parts and supplies in order.
  • Drill holes and pull or push wiring through openings, using hand and power tools.
  • Clean work area and wash parts.
  • Perform semi-skilled and unskilled laboring duties related to the installation, maintenance and repair of a wide variety of electrical systems and equipment.
Also called
Electrical ApprenticeElectrician ApprenticeElectrician HelperElectrician's HelperApprenticeE and I Apprentice (Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice)E and I Apprentice (Electrician and Instrumentation Apprentice)Electrical HelperInside Wireman ApprenticeWireman Apprentice
More job titles for this occupation (15)
Automotive Electrician Helper (Auto Electrician Helper)Electrical AssistantElectrical Sign Wirer HelperElectrician AssistantElectrician's AssistantHelperHouse Wirer HelperInstallation HelperMarine Electrician HelperMaterial and Supply Yard AssistantProtective Signal Installer HelperProtective Signal Repairer HelperShop HelperStage Electrician HelperTower Erector Helper

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.