Where AI can help
AI can help locate manual information and prepare checklists.
Skilled trades · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Electricians
Install, maintain and repair electrical systems in buildings and facilities. The work combines technical reading, safety and on-site execution.
Observed AI exposureNot measured in this editionAnthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection+9.2%2025–2035
Education typically neededHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Read plans and identify circuits and components
- 02
Install wiring, equipment and devices
- 03
Test voltage, continuity and protection
- 04
Diagnose and repair electrical faults
- 05
Document work under applicable codes and standards
An example of an output
A tested, safe and documented installation or repair that follows the plan and applicable rules.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Construction, building maintenance and industrial or residential installations. Travel, physical work and controlled hazards are common.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$71,490
Median annual pay$63,190
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$42,640
90th percentile$108,510
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 2025821,000
Projected openings per year72,700
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
On-site tests, safety, codes and decisions around unexpected conditions require a qualified professional.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Study a teaching diagram and build an inspection checklist without working on energized equipment.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Diagnosticstechnical readingsafetymanual precision
Tools you may encounter
Multimeters · hand tools · diagrams · protective equipment
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$57,900 Mean annual pay
Solar Photovoltaic Installers ↗
Electrical systems knowledge can support photovoltaic installation and equipment checks.
- What you can carry over
- Circuits, safety and diagnostics
- What you would need to learn
- Solar assembly, work at height and photovoltaic design
What to consider
Installation has specific hazards and local requirements; training should not be skipped.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Study a teaching diagram and build an inspection checklist without working on energized equipment.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
ElectriciansSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 47-2111.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗