Career comparison
Electrician vs. Transportation Equipment Electrician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Transportation equipment electricians earn more at the median ($84,890 vs. $63,190), while transportation equipment electricians usually get to work faster (Training program plus months on the job of training). Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code. Transportation equipment electricians install and repair electrical systems on trains, ships, buses and other vehicles.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Electrician | Transportation Equipment Electrician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,190 ($30.38/hr) | $84,890 ($40.81/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,640 – $108,510 | $50,750 – $116,810 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.2% (much faster than average) | +5.4% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 72,700 | 500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) | Training program plus months on the job |
| Key credential | Journeyman electrician license | Electrical certificate |
| Work setting | Electricians work indoors and outdoors at construction sites, homes, businesses and factories. | Electricians work in rail yards, transit shops, shipyards and maintenance facilities.. |
What each job does
Electrician
- Read blueprints, schematics and electrical plans
- Install conduit, wiring, panels, breakers, receptacles and fixtures
- Inspect and test electrical systems with meters and testers
- Troubleshoot and repair faults in circuits, motors and controls
- Follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes
Transportation Equipment Electrician
- Install wiring and electrical systems
- Troubleshoot faults
- Repair motors and controls
- Read schematics
- Test systems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, teamwork, and in-demand. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as problem-solving and problem-solving.
Which should you choose?
Choose electrician if…
- I like working with my hands and solving technical problems
- I’m comfortable with math and following detailed diagrams
- I respect safety rules, and follow them every time
Choose transportation equipment electrician if…
- I like electrical work
- I like trains, ships or buses
- I read schematics well
Still torn? Take the Electrician fit quiz and the Transportation Equipment Electrician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrician or transportation equipment electrician?
Transportation Equipment Electricians earn more at the median: $84,890 versus $63,190 for electricians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Transportation Equipment Electricians typically train faster (Training program plus months on the job) than electricians (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects electricians to grow +9.2% from 2025–35, compared with +5.4% for transportation equipment electricians.