We turn on the light to the bathroom in the morning to get ready. Flicking on the television after a long day at work has become second nature. So how does electricity get distributed? Have you ever wanted to engage in a career that delivers electricity to homes and businesses?

If these ideas interest you, then you may be considering a career in electrical utilities. Is electric utilities a good career path? We will see what the industry is, who needs these services, how valuable electrical utilities are, and the money-making potential of being in the electrical industry.

What Is the Electric Utilities Central Industry?

The electrical utilities central industry involves electrical specialists installing and maintaining an electrical power grid to distribute electricity to people and businesses. Distribution began in 1882 when electricity was needed primarily to light American homes. Electricity is distributed via kilowatt-hours to those who need to power their homes to enjoy modern conveniences.

Who Needs Electricity?

Many homes rely on electricity to light their homes at night, operate their fridges, and enjoy television and gaming entertainment. Electrical connections also charge electronic devices, function oxygen machines for those who need them, and so much more in American homes.

Small businesses need electricity to operate their cash registers, light the building, and perform various functions to get their products and services to consumers. For example, a craft business may need electricity to operate a Cricut machine or sewing machine.

How Valuable Is the Electric Utilities Central Industry?

According to IBISWorld, the United States utility industry has a market size of $645 billion in revenue as of 2022. As electrical power increases in demand as of 2021, the industry is expected to increase in value throughout 2022. The market grew 0.8% from 2017 to 2022.

The company with the largest market value in the utility industry is NextEra Energy at $159 billion. This statistic was as of April 2021. If you want to work at an international company, State Grid Corporation of China is valued at $347 billion and is the world’s largest power supply company by its high revenue.

The US Energy Information Administration states that the nation generates 20% of international electrical output because of its 4.06 billion GWh produced each year.

Money-Making Potential of the Electric Utilities Central Industry

All salary information explained below is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics except otherwise noted. They have the most updated salary statistics as of 2021.

• Electrical Engineers make about $101,780 annually or $48.93 per hour.
• Electricians make $80,040 each year or $28.87 every hour.
• According to Indeed, an Electrical Foreman nets about $67,736 annually or $34.97 each hour.
• Line Installers and Repairers net about $75,530 each year or $35.83 each year.

How Can You Find The Best Electrical Utilities Jobs?

The Bureau of Labor Statics is a great resource to find the most updated salary averages for each job in the industry. They update their numbers based on the previous year’s findings. Compare and contrast the salaries for each position in which you are interested in looking through their Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Find your favorite companies throughout the industry and search for similar jobs to see which one pays the most. During your search, you will find various job recruitment websites where you can find the best job postings based on your desired position.

Jobs in the Electrical Utilities Industry

There are many jobs in the electrical utility industry that you can hold. Whether you want to install electricity at homes or businesses or maintain the power lines, there is something for everyone.

Electrical Engineers

Electrical engineers help to create machinery that manufacturers electrical equipment. They also test its success and supervise those who help to manufacture said equipment.

You must obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or an acceptable related field for employers to consider you for an Electrical Engineer position. The number of positions is expected to increase by 7% between 2020 and 2030 with over 313,000 of these jobs available currently. About 22,700 more Electrical Engineer positions will open up each year within those 10 years.

Line Installers and Repairers

You only need a high school diploma to become a Line Installer and Repairer. It is a technical job that involves much on-the-job training so the company knows you are proficient at installing and repairing broken down power lines.

Your job is to work with fiber optics and reassure that electrical power and telecommunications systems are working accordingly. Some of the jobs are on-call as you may have to go out after a natural disaster or thunderstorm to make repairs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrical installers and repairers make a little more on average compared to the telecommunications side of the mix. Telecommunication installers and repairers netted about $60,190 as of May 2021. Electrical repairers and installers netted about $78,310 as of May 2021.

Electrician

Just like a Line Installer and Repairer, you can come fresh out of high school with a high school diploma and become an Electrician. You will just need to undergo some on-the-job training with an Apprenticeship and/or certification classes to get ready to perform your job sufficiently.

As an Electrician, you will install, maintain, and fix electrical and communications systems for individuals, businesses, and throughout your local city. There are currently 729,600 jobs for Electricians available. The need for Electricians is projected to grow about 9% from 2020 to 2030.

Electrical Foreman

Electrical Foremen evaluate and budget an electrical project. They help to supervise electricians that are performing a construction project. The foremen also discuss projects with clients so that they know what is intended to get completed. You will also help to onboard new electricians and train them based on how your company operates.

Just like when becoming an Electrician or a Line Installer and Repairer, you can come out of high school with a high school diploma and undergo an Apprenticeship to enter the field as an Electrical Foreman. Indeed.com states that 84% of employees enter the field with a high school diploma while 16% of electricians enter with an Associate’s degree.

As you gain experience in the electrical industry, you can study for your Electrical Foreman license which involves learning about the National Electric Code and passing an exam for certification.

Benefits of Working in the Electrical Utilities Industry

These are the benefits of working in the electrical utility industry:

• Health benefits.
• College reimbursement.
• Ability to travel.
• Flexible schedule as some electrical jobs are on-call.
• Can work in different niches such as power generation, engineering, and chemical processing.

Skills Needed to Work in the Electrical Utilities Industry

These are the skills you need to work in the electrical utility industry:

• Basic technical skills.
• Communication and interpersonal conversation skills.
• Can stay organized to properly fix and install electrical systems.
• Can troubleshoot issues in electrical systems.
• Think outside of the box innovatively.
• Knowledge of mathematics and basic physics.

Final Thoughts on Electric Utilities Central as a Good Career Path

Working in the electrical industry can be a profitable venture to make a great life for yourself and your family. Just be careful to follow safety guidelines while installing and fixing electricity to protect yourself and your fellow team.