Helpers--Electricians

What the job really is

Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

At a glance

• Sector: Construction & Extraction
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-3013
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Thread conduit ends, connect couplings, and fabricate and secure conduit support brackets, using hand tools.
• Disassemble defective electrical equipment, replace defective or worn parts, and reassemble equipment, using hand tools.
• Construct controllers and panels, using power drills, drill presses, taps, saws, and punches.
• Transport tools, materials, equipment, and supplies to work site by hand, handtruck, or heavy, motorized truck.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Adjustable widemouth pliers, Adjustable wrenches, Air compressors, Air spades, Airhammers, Ammeters, Automatic wire strippers, Awls, Backhoes, Bear claw wire threaders

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
• Electricians
• Helpers--Carpenters
• Millwrights
• Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
• Boilermakers
• Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Helpers--Electricians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.