Skilled Trades & Construction career

Electrician Helper

Also called: Electrical Helper · Electrician’s Assistant · Electrical Apprentice Helper · Wire Puller

What electrician helpers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does an electrician helper do?

Helpers, electricians, help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas. The median pay is $42,670 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow +0.6% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $42,670
    $20.51/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +0.6%
    2025–35, little or no change
  • Openings per year
    6,100
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    A few weeks on the job
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    65,000
    Employment, 2025

What electrician helpers do

Electrician helpers support electrical work. They carry materials, bend and install conduit, pull wire, mount boxes, drill holes, and keep job sites clean under an electrician’s supervision.

A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects little change; it is a common start toward an electrical apprenticeship.

Typical duties

  • Pull wire
  • Install conduit
  • Mount boxes
  • Drill holes
  • Carry materials
  • Clean up
  • Assist electricians

Work environment and schedule

Helpers work on residential, commercial and industrial sites.

Schedule: Full time.

A day in the life

  1. Load materials.
  2. Mount boxes.
  3. Bend conduit.
  4. Pull wire.

See a full day in the life of an electrician helper →

Electrician Helper salary

Half of electrician helpers earned more than $42,670 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $33,020 for the lowest 10% to $58,340 for the top 10%.

Full electrician helper pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an electrician helper

  1. Finish high school
  2. Register as a trainee if required
  3. Get hired
  4. Apply to an apprenticeship
  5. Become an electrician

A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an electrician helper →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Conduit bending
  • Wire pulling
  • Box mounting
  • Tool use
  • Material handling

People skills

  • Willingness to learn
  • Attention to detail
  • Reliability
  • Teamwork

All electrician helper skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Path to a high-paying trade
  • Short training
  • Learn on the job
  • Steady demand

Cons

  • Low starting pay
  • Physical work
  • Electrical hazards
  • Tight spaces

Certifications and licenses

  • OSHA 10: Safety.
  • Electrical trainee registration: Required in some states.
  • NFPA 70E awareness: Helpful.
  • Pre-apprenticeship: Helpful.

Career path

  1. Helper: Entry.
  2. Apprentice: Training.
  3. Journeyman Electrician: Licensed.
  4. Master Electrician: Top license.

Learn the job before day one

Our Electrician Helper training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as bend a 90-degree conduit stub and pull wire through conduit, safety and how to land your first job.

View Electrician Helper trainingIs this career right for me?

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Compare: Electrician Helper vs. Electrician · Electrician Helper vs. Solar Panel Installer · Electrician Helper vs. Construction Laborer · Electrician Helper vs. Lineworker

Electrician Helper FAQ

Do I need a license?

Some states require trainee registration.

Is it a path to electrician?

Yes.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects little change.

How much does an electrician helper make?

The median annual wage for electrician helpers was $42,670 ($20.51 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,020 and the highest 10% earned more than $58,340.

How long does it take to become an electrician helper?

Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be an electrician helper?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More electrician helper questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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