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AmpScouts

Career Path Explorer

There Isn't Just One Kind of Electrician.

Compare specializations, environments, credentials, and where demand is strongest across the country.

Mission CriticalVery High demand

Data Center Electrician

Builds and maintains the power backbone of AI and cloud infrastructure — switchgear, UPS systems, distribution, and backup generation.

$30–$55 / hr

SwitchgearUPS systemsCommissioning
IndustrialVery High demand

Industrial Electrician

Keeps plants running: motor controls, drives, PLC-connected systems, and heavy power distribution inside manufacturing facilities.

$27–$50 / hr

Motor controlsVFDsTroubleshooting
ConstructionHigh demand

Commercial Electrician

Installs and services electrical systems in offices, hospitals, schools, retail, and mixed-use construction.

$24–$45 / hr

Blueprint readingConduit bendingPanel work
Power & GridVery High demand

High Voltage Electrician

Works on medium- and high-voltage systems, terminations, and equipment where specialized safety practice is mandatory.

$32–$58 / hr

MV terminationsCable testingSwitching
SystemsHigh demand

Low Voltage Technician

Installs structured cabling, access control, security, AV, and network infrastructure across commercial buildings.

$20–$38 / hr

Structured cablingFiber terminationTesting
AutomationVery High demand

Controls Electrician

Bridges power and automation: control panels, instrumentation wiring, and integration with plant control systems.

$30–$52 / hr

Control panelsLadder logic basicsInstrumentation
AutomationHigh demand

PLC Technician

Programs, troubleshoots, and maintains programmable logic controllers driving automated production.

$32–$55 / hr

PLC programmingHMINetworking
AutomationHigh demand

Instrumentation Technician

Calibrates and maintains process instrumentation and measurement loops in industrial environments.

$32–$56 / hr

CalibrationLoop tuningProcess measurement
EnergyHigh demand

Solar Electrician

Builds utility-scale and commercial PV systems, inverters, combiners, and interconnections.

$24–$44 / hr

DC systemsInvertersInterconnection
EnergyHigh demand

EV Charging Technician

Installs and commissions Level 2 and DC fast charging infrastructure for fleets, retail, and highway corridors.

$25–$46 / hr

DC fast chargingService upgradesNetwork commissioning
Power & GridVery High demand

Substation Electrician

Constructs, tests, and maintains substation equipment, relays, and protection systems for utilities and industry.

$34–$60 / hr

Relay wiringProtection testingTransformers
Power & GridHigh demand

Utility Electrician

Supports generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure for power providers.

$30–$55 / hr

Grid systemsSwitchingPreventive maintenance
IndustrialHigh demand

Maintenance Electrician

In-house electrical support keeping facilities and production equipment operational.

$26–$46 / hr

TroubleshootingPreventive maintenanceDocumentation
SpecializedModerate demand

Marine Electrician

Installs and repairs electrical systems on vessels, shipyards, and offshore structures.

$26–$48 / hr

Marine cablingShipboard systemsCorrosion practices
LeadershipHigh demand

Electrical Foreman

Runs the crew and the work in the field: manpower, sequencing, material, and safety.

$34–$58 / hr

Crew leadershipSchedulingMaterial planning
LeadershipHigh demand

Electrical Superintendent

Owns field execution across an entire project — multiple crews, schedule, and coordination.

$110k–$185k / yr

Project sequencingCoordinationCost awareness
PreconstructionHigh demand

Electrical Estimator

Turns drawings and specs into accurate pricing that wins profitable electrical work.

$95k–$160k / yr

Takeoff softwareBid strategySpecification review
LeadershipHigh demand

Electrical Project Manager

Owns budget, schedule, procurement, and client relationships on electrical scopes.

$105k–$180k / yr

Budget controlProcurementChange management