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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Electricians

Person holding a stripped electrical wire Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

For terms and definitions in this profile, see definitions of major terms.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2025, work was controlled by people for 95.3 percent of electricians. Work was self-paced for 0.7 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of electricians with cognitive and mental requirements, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Work schedule varies	65.1	34.9
Ability to pause work (and take brief unscheduled breaks)	62.6	37.4
Working around crowds	<0.5	>99.5
Telework routinely allowed	<0.5	>99.5
Supervising others	13.4	86.6
Supervisor present in immediate work area	58.4	41.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs. The time associated with these requirements is combined to calculate the specific vocational preparation level needed for the job.

In 2025, prior work experience was required for 24.9 percent of electricians and on-the-job training was required for 40.5 percent.

A high school diploma was required for 82.0 percent of electricians.

Environmental conditions

The various hazards or difficulties that are in the area where workers perform their critical tasks.

In 2025, a quiet noise exposure was present for 3.9 percent of electricians. Another 75.7 percent were exposed to moderate noise, 20.3 percent were exposed to loud noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by 46.6 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure and was not used by 53.4 percent.

Physical demands

The physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2025, speaking was required for greater than 99.5 percent of electricians and was not required for less than 0.5 percent. For 4.3 percent of workers, speaking was seldom required, for 75.1 percent speaking was occasionally required, for 20.6 percent speaking was frequently required, and for less than 0.5 percent speaking was required constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for greater than 99.5 percent of electricians and was not required for less than 0.5 percent.

On average, electricians spent 11.3 percent of the workday sitting and 88.7 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of electricians with physical demands, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Ability to choose to sit or stand for tasks	<5	>95
Driving	58.0	42.0
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	71.3	28.7
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey