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General information

Electrician profession – salaries and required qualifications

Electrician profession - salaries and required qualifications
Man, an electrical technician working in a switchboard with fuses. Installation and connection of electrical equipment. Professional with tools in hand.

Employers abroad are continuously looking for qualified workers. Among the job offers for professionals, there is a constant demand for electricians. What are the duties associated with this profession? What are the salaries and required qualifications? If you are thinking about changing careers or dreaming of working as an electrician, this article is just for you!

Job offers for electricians

Electrician – what does the job involve and where do they work?

An electrician is a specialist primarily responsible for installing and repairing electrical networks. Their main duties include:

  • Conducting technical inspections
  • Installing and commissioning electrical devices and machinery
  • Maintaining and repairing electrical installations and equipment
  • Designing electrical systems and networks
  • Laying cables
  • Repairing automation systems
  • Assessing the technical condition
  • Performing measurements and tests

The scope of an electrician’s duties may vary depending on their education and professional experience.

Electricians can find employment wherever electrical installations, electricity, or machinery are present. This offers specialists a wide range of career opportunities. They can work, among other places, in:

  • Car workshops (as electromechanics)
  • Manufacturing companies
  • Electrical emergency services
  • Electrical equipment service centers
  • Construction sites

How to become an electrician? 

Can anyone become an electrician? Yes, as long as they start learning in this field at the right time. Qualifications for working as an electrician can be obtained in various ways, such as:

  • in a vocational school
  • in a technical high school
  • in a post-secondary school (electrician technician)
  • after completing a vocational course
  • after completing engineering studies (Electrical Engineering)

If you have completed a vocational technical school, it’s worth considering further education through engineering studies. Higher education opens doors to higher salaries and better career opportunities. Engineers often manage teams or create innovative solutions. This is a great example of how the profession of an electrician offers opportunities for further career development.

Individuals who have not completed the mentioned types of schools can take a qualification exam at one of the examination centers for electricians. This is an excellent opportunity for those who want to change their career path!

What qualities should the ideal candidate for the electrician position have? Here are the most commonly expected requirements from employers:

  • Possession of appropriate professional qualifications
  • Experience and skills in the industry
  • Ability to interpret technical documentation
  • Analytical approach to problems
  • Patience and creativity
  • Good physical condition and overall health
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Good vision and hearing
  • Ability to concentrate and divide attention
  • Category B driving license (for fieldwork)

Very often, you can find job offers for electricians without the need for foreign language skills.

The work of an electrician carries significant responsibility. The safety of people who use the devices installed and controlled by the electrician, as well as those near electrical networks, depends on them.

Are you an electrician? Find a job at europa.jobs!

Electrician Salary in Europe

The table below presents data on the average salaries of electricians in various European countries.

CountryElectricianElectromechanicIndustrial ElectricianConstruction Electrician
Germany2383 EUR net / month2380 EUR net / month24.52 – 28.68 EUR gross / h2617 EUR net / month
Ireland4000 EUR gross / month
Netherlands540 – 560 EUR net / week648 – 800 EUR net / week19 EUR net / h
Austria2300 EUR net / month2600 – 3000 EUR net / month
France12 – 16 EUR net / h2500-2600 EUR net / month
Switzerland5600 – 5800 CHF gross / month35 CHF gross / h
Denmark210 DKK gross / h
Norway234 – 294 NOK gross / h

The salaries presented above come from job offers posted on europa.jobs. We present monthly, hourly, net, and gross rates – depending on what was specified by employers in the job advertisements. Often, accommodation and other employee benefits are included as part of the mentioned rates.

Always keep in mind that the salary will vary depending on the position, experience, qualifications, country, and region.

Check current job offers for electricians on europa.jobs

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