The median pay for Helpers--Electricians is $42,670 a year ($20.51/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 0.6% through 2035, with about 6,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 47-3013
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Helpers--Electrician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $42,670a year, or $20.51/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $33KTop 10% $58K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +0.6%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+0.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +0.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6,10065,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202565K
- Projected 203565.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 65K Projected 2035 65.4K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school10.7%
- High school70.8%
- Certificate13%
- Some college2.8%
- Associate's1.3%
- Bachelor's1.3%
Highest education held by helpers--electricians Segment Value Less than high school 10.7% High school 70.8% Certificate 13% Some college 2.8% Associate's 1.3% Bachelor's 1.3%
Also advertised as: Apprentice, E and I Apprentice (Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice), E and I Apprentice (Electrician and Instrumentation Apprentice), Electrical Apprentice, Electrical Helper, Electrician Apprentice.
Pay
How much do Helpers--Electricians make?
Every helpers--electrician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$42,670
Middle half earn $36,830 to $48,470
- 10th
- $33,020
- 25th
- $36,830
- 75th
- $48,470
- 90th
- $58,340
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $33,020 |
| 25th | $36,830 |
| Median | $42,670 |
| 75th | $48,470 |
| 90th | $58,340 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $42,670
- Median hourly wage
- $20.51/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $44,080
- People employed
- 63,630
Versus all US occupations
At $42,670, Helpers--Electricians earn 16% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $8,310 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
Inside the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020, this is 29% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $58,340 or more while the bottom 10% earn $33,020, a gap of 1.8×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 10% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($61,110), but once local prices are taken into account Missouri leads at $64,239 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Helpers--Electricians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $61,110 | $57,105 | 560 |
| 2Missouri | $58,340 | $64,239 | 380 |
| 3Colorado | $56,420 | $54,749 | N/A |
| 4Connecticut | $56,020 | $54,068 | 390 |
| 5California | $52,080 | $47,038 | 3,120 |
| 6Oregon | $49,800 | $48,181 | 570 |
| 7Massachusetts | $48,340 | $45,709 | 610 |
| 8District of Columbia | $48,300 | $43,949 | 330 |
| 9New Mexico | $48,030 | $52,086 | 510 |
| 10Hawaii | $47,890 | $43,556 | N/A |
Job outlook
Is Helpers--Electrician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +0.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Helpers--Electricians | +0.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Helpers--Electricians to change 0.6% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 6,100 openings are projected each year, 9.4% of the 65,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of construction laborers and helpers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of construction laborers and helpers varies by occupation (see table).
Construction laborers work in all fields of construction, and demand for laborers should mirror the level of overall construction activity. Repairing and replacing the nation’s infrastructure, such as the power grid, roads, and water lines, is expected to result in steady demand for laborers.
Getting in
How to become a Helpers--Electrician
Construction laborers and helpers learn on the job. Formal education is not typically required, but some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as helpers--electricians.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)70.8%
- Post-Secondary Certificate13%
- Less than a High School Diploma10.7%
- Some College Courses2.8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree1.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 70.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 13% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 10.7% |
| Some College Courses | 2.8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 1.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Helpers--Electrician do?
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 and helpers perform tasks, such as using, supplying, or holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment, on construction sites.
Day-to-day tasks
- Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.
- Clean work area and wash parts.
- Drill holes and pull or push wiring through openings, using hand and power tools.
- Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
- Perform semi-skilled and unskilled laboring duties related to the installation, maintenance and repair of a wide variety of electrical systems and equipment.
- Transport tools, materials, equipment, and supplies to work site by hand, handtruck, or heavy, motorized truck.
- Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.
- Disassemble defective electrical equipment, replace defective or worn parts, and reassemble equipment, using hand tools.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most construction laborers and helpers work full time, and work schedules may vary. Laborers and helpers on highway and bridge projects may need to work overnight to avoid causing traffic disruptions. In some parts of the country, construction laborers and helpers may work only during certain seasons. For example, in northern climates, cold weather frequently limits construction activity in the winter.
Some construction laborers are self-employed. In contrast, few helpers are self-employed.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayConflict situations are rare.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.3
- Speaking3.1
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Active Learning2.9
- Monitoring2.8
- Reading Comprehension2.5
- Writing2.4
- Learning Strategies2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.3 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Monitoring | 2.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.5 |
| Writing | 2.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Coordination3.0
- Troubleshooting3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Installation2.9
- Operations Monitoring2.9
- Repairing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Installation | 2.9 |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Repairing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Word processing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Helpers--Electrician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Helpers--Electrician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.9
- Investigative2.2
- Social2.0
- Artistic1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Helpers--Electrician
O*NET related occupations
- Construction and Extraction
Helpers--Pipelayer, Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter
$42,360median a year
Most earn $34K to $58K
+2.4%High school - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Worker
$39,630median a year
Most earn $29K to $56K
+5.3%High school - Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Construction and Extraction
Helpers--Painter, Paperhanger, Plasterer, and Stucco Mason
$40,470median a year
Most earn $31K to $52K
+1.5%No formal credential
More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with helpers--electricians highlighted
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
- Helpers--Electrician$42,670
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
| Helpers--Electrician | $42,670 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Helpers--Electrician appears on
Questions
Helpers--Electrician: frequently asked questions
How much do Helpers--Electricians make?
Helpers--Electricians earn a median of $42,670 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 16% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $20.51/hr. The middle half earn between $36,830 and $48,470. The top 10% earn $58,340 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Helpers--Electrician?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Helpers--Electricians. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 70.8% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Helpers--Electrician a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.6% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 6,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Helpers--Electrician do?
Construction laborers and helpers perform tasks, such as using, supplying, or holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment, on construction sites. A core O*NET task: strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering. Employers most often ask for Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Helpers--Electricians the most?
The highest state medians for Helpers--Electricians are Washington ($61,110), Missouri ($58,340), Colorado ($56,420) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Missouri moves to the top at $64,239.
What personality type suits a Helpers--Electrician?
O*NET scores Helpers--Electricians highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.