HVAC/Mechanical Industry Overview & Job Descriptions
Significant Points
Employment is projected to grow as fast as the average
Job prospects are expected to be excellent
Employers prefer to hire those who have completed technical school training or a formal apprenticeship
Nature of the Work
Heating and air-conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and the total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings. Refrigeration systems make it possible to store and transport food, medicine, and other perishable items. Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—also called technicians—install, maintain, and repair such systems. Because heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems often are referred to as HVACR systems; these workers also may be called HVACR technicians.
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems consist of many mechanical, electrical, and electronic components, such as motors, compressors, pumps, fans, ducts, pipes, thermostats, and switches. In central forced air heating systems, for example, a furnace heats air, which is then distributed via a system of metal or fiberglass ducts. Technicians must be able to maintain, diagnose, and correct problems throughout the entire system. To do this, they adjust system controls to recommended settings and test the performance of the system using special tools and test equipment.
Technicians often specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair, although they are trained to do both. They also may specialize in doing heating work or air-conditioning or refrigeration work. Some specialize in one type of equipment—for example, hydronics (water-based heating systems), solar panels, or commercial refrigeration. Some technicians also sell service contracts to their clients. Service contracts provide for regular maintenance of the heating and cooling systems and they help to reduce the seasonal fluctuations of this type of work.
Technicians follow blueprints or other specifications to install oil, gas, electric, solid-fuel, and multiple-fuel heating systems and air-conditioning systems. After putting the equipment in place, they install fuel and water supply lines, air ducts and vents, pumps, and other components. They may connect electrical wiring and controls and check the unit for proper operation. To ensure the proper functioning of the system, furnace installers often use combustion test equipment, such as carbon dioxide testers, carbon monoxide testers, combustion analyzers, and oxygen testers. These tests ensure that the system will operate safely and at peak efficiency.
After a furnace or air-conditioning unit has been installed, technicians often perform routine maintenance and repair work to keep the systems operating efficiently. They may adjust burners and blowers and check for leaks. If the system is not operating properly, they check the thermostat, burner nozzles, controls or other parts to diagnose and correct the problem.
Technicians also install and maintain heat pumps, which are similar to air conditioners but can be reversed so that they both heat and cool a home. Because of the added complexity and the fact that they run both in summer and winter, these systems often require more maintenance and need to be replaced more frequently than traditional furnaces and air conditioners.
During the summer, when heating systems are not being used, heating equipment technicians do maintenance work, such as replacing filters, ducts, and other parts of the system that may accumulate dust and impurities during the operating season. During the winter, air-conditioning mechanics inspect the systems and do required maintenance, such as overhauling compressors.
Refrigeration mechanics install, service, and repair industrial and commercial refrigerating systems and a variety of refrigeration equipment. They follow blueprints, design specifications, and manufacturers' instructions to install motors, compressors, condensing units, evaporators, piping, and other components. They connect this equipment to the ductwork, refrigerant lines, and electrical power source. After making the connections, they charge the system with refrigerant, check it for proper operation and leaks, and program control systems.
When air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians service equipment, they must use care to conserve, recover, and recycle the refrigerants used in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. The release of these refrigerants can be harmful to the environment. Technicians conserve the refrigerant by making sure that there are no leaks in the system; they recover it by venting the refrigerant into proper cylinders; they recycle it for reuse with special filter-dryers; or they ensure that the refrigerant is properly disposed of.
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are adept at using a variety of tools, including hammers, wrenches, metal snips, electric drills, pipe cutters and benders, measurement gauges, and acetylene torches, to work with refrigerant lines and air ducts. They use voltmeters, thermometers, pressure gauges, manometers, and other testing devices to check airflow, refrigerant pressure, electrical circuits, burners, and other components.
Other craft workers sometimes install or repair cooling and heating systems. For example, on a large air-conditioning installation job, especially where workers are covered by union contracts, ductwork might be done by sheet metal workers and duct installers; electrical work by electricians; and installation of piping, condensers, and other components by pipe layers, plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters. Home appliance repairers usually service room air-conditioners and household refrigerators. (Additional information about each of these occupations appears elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Work Environment
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work in homes, retail establishments, hospitals, office buildings, and factories—anywhere there is climate-control equipment that needs to be installed, repaired, or serviced. They may be assigned to specific job sites at the beginning of each day or may be dispatched to a variety of locations if they are making service calls.
Technicians may work outside in cold or hot weather or in buildings that are uncomfortable because the air-conditioning or heating equipment is broken. In addition, technicians might work in awkward or cramped positions and sometimes are required to work in high places. Hazards include electrical shock, burns, muscle strains, and other injuries from handling heavy equipment. Appropriate safety equipment is necessary when handling refrigerants because contact can cause skin damage, frostbite, or blindness. Inhalation of refrigerants when working in confined spaces also is a possible hazard.
The majority of mechanics and installers work at least a 40-hour week. During peak seasons, they often work overtime or irregular hours. Maintenance workers, including those who provide maintenance services under contract, often work evening or weekend shifts and are on call. Most employers try to provide a full workweek year-round by scheduling both installation and maintenance work, and many manufacturers and contractors now provide or even require year-round service contracts. In most shops that service both heating and air-conditioning equipment, employment is stable throughout the year.
Training, Other Qualifications and Advancement
Because of the increasing sophistication of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems, employers prefer to hire those who have completed technical school training or a formal apprenticeship. Some mechanics and installers, however, still learn the trade informally on the job.
Education and Training
Many secondary and post-secondary technical and trade schools, junior and community colleges, and the U.S. Armed Forces offer 6-month to 2-year programs in heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration. Students study theory of temperature control, equipment design and construction, and electronics. They also learn the basics of installation, maintenance, and repair. Three accrediting agencies have set academic standards for HVACR programs. These accrediting bodies are HVAC Excellence, the National Center for Construction Education and Research, and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation After completing these programs, new technicians generally need between an additional 6 months and 2 years of field experience before they are considered proficient.
Applicants for apprenticeships must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Math and reading skills are essential. After completing an apprenticeship program, technicians are considered skilled trades workers and capable of working alone. These programs are also a pathway to certification and, in some cases, college credits.
Those who acquire their skills on the job usually begin by assisting experienced technicians. They may begin by performing simple tasks such as carrying materials, insulating refrigerant lines, or cleaning furnaces. In time, they move on to more difficult tasks, such as cutting and soldering pipes and sheet metal and checking electrical and electronic circuits.
Several organizations have begun to offer basic self-study, classroom, and Internet courses for individuals with limited experience.
Licensing
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are required to be licensed by some States and localities. Requirements for licensure vary greatly, but all States or localities that require a license have a test that must be passed. The contents of these tests vary by State or locality, with some requiring extensive knowledge of electrical codes and others focusing more on HVACR-specific knowledge. Completion of an apprenticeship program or 2 to 5 years of experience are also common requirements.
In addition, all technicians who purchase or work with refrigerants must be certified in their proper handling. To become certified to purchase and handle refrigerants, technicians must pass a written examination specific to the type of work in which they specialize. The three possible areas of certification are: Type I—servicing small appliances; Type II—high-pressure refrigerants; and Type III—low-pressure refrigerants. Exams are administered by organizations approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, such as trade schools, unions, contractor associations, or building groups.
Other qualifications
High school courses in shop math, mechanical drawing, applied physics and chemistry, electronics, blueprint reading, and computer applications provide a good background for those interested in entering this occupation. Some knowledge of plumbing or electrical work also is helpful. A basic understanding of electronics is becoming more important because of the increasing use of electronics in equipment controls. Because technicians frequently deal directly with the public, they should be courteous and tactful, especially when dealing with an aggravated customer. They also should be in good physical condition because they sometimes have to lift and move heavy equipment.
Certification and advancement
Throughout the learning process, technicians may have to take a number of tests that measure their skills. For those with relevant coursework and less than 1 year of experience, the industry has developed a series of exams to test basic competency in residential heating and cooling, light commercial heating and cooling, and commercial refrigeration. These are referred to as “Entry-level” certification exams and are commonly conducted at both secondary and post-secondary technical and trade schools. HVACR technicians who have at least 1 year of experience performing installations and 2 years of experience performing maintenance and repair can take a number of different tests to certify their competency in working with specific types of equipment, such as oil-burning furnaces. These tests are offered through the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, HVAC Excellence, Carbon Monoxide Safety Association, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Safety Coalition, and North American Technician Excellence, Inc., among others. Employers increasingly recommend taking and passing these tests and obtaining certification; doing so may increase advancement opportunities.
Advancement usually takes the form of higher wages. Some technicians, however, may advance to positions as supervisor or service manager. Others may move into sales and marketing. Still others may become building superintendents, cost estimators, system test and balance specialists, or, with the necessary certification, teachers. Those with sufficient money and managerial skill can open their own contracting business.
Employment
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers held about 292,000 jobs in 2006; about 55 percent worked for plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors. The rest were employed in a variety of industries throughout the country, reflecting a widespread dependence on climate-control systems. Some worked for fuel oil dealers, refrigeration and air-conditioning service and repair shops, schools, and stores that sell heating and air-conditioning systems. Local governments, the Federal Government, hospitals, office buildings, and other organizations that operate large air-conditioning, refrigeration, or heating systems also employed these workers. About 13 percent of these workers were self-employed.
Job Outlook
With average job growth and numerous expected retirements, heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers should have excellent employment opportunities.
Employment Change
Employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to increase 21 percent during the 2012-22 decade, faster than average for all occupations. As the population and stock of buildings grows, so does the demand for residential, commercial, and industrial climate-control systems. Residential HVACR systems generally need replacement after 10 to 15 years; the large number of homes built in recent years will enter this replacement timeframe by 2022. The increased complexity of HVACR systems, which increases the possibility that equipment may malfunction, also will create opportunities for service technicians. A growing focus on improving indoor air quality and the increasing use of refrigerated equipment by a growing number of stores and gasoline stations that sell food should also create more jobs for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians.
Concern for the environment has prompted the development of new energy-saving heating and air-conditioning systems. An emphasis on better energy management should lead to the replacement of older systems and the installation of newer, more efficient systems in existing homes and buildings. Also, demand for maintenance and service work should increase as businesses and homeowners strive to keep increasingly complex systems operating at peak efficiency. Regulations prohibiting the discharge and production of older types of refrigerants that pollute the atmosphere should continue to result in the need to replace many existing air conditioning systems or to modify them to use new environmentally safe refrigerants. The pace of replacement in the commercial and industrial sectors will quicken if Congress or individual States change tax rules designed to encourage companies to buy new HVACR equipment.
Job Prospects
Job prospects for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are, particularly for those who have completed training from an accredited technical school or a formal apprenticeship. Job opportunities should be best in the fastest growing areas of the country. A growing number of retirements of highly skilled technicians are expected to generate many job openings. Many contractors have reported problems finding enough workers to meet the demand for service and installation of HVACR systems.
Technicians who specialize in installation work may experience periods of unemployment when the level of new construction activity declines, but maintenance and repair work usually remains relatively stable. People and businesses depend on their climate-control or refrigeration systems and must keep them in good working order, regardless of economic conditions.
Projections Data
Projection Quick Facts
2012 Median Pay
$43,640/Year, $20.98/Hour
Entry-Level Education
Postsecondary non-degree award
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
None
On-the-Job Training
Long-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2012
267,600
Job Outlook, 2012-2022
21% (faster than average)
Employment Change, 2012-2022
55,900
Earnings
Median hourly wage-and-salary earnings of heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers are $20.98.
Industry
Hourly Mean Wage
Annual Mean Wage
Building Equipment Contractors
$21.87
$45,490
Direct Selling Establishments
$23.02
$47,880
Hardware/Plumbing/Heating Equipment & Supplies
$24.19
$50.320
Repair & Maintenance
$25.13
$52,270
Colleges, Universities & Professional Schools
$24.02
$49,960
Apprentices usually begin at about 50 percent of the wage rate paid to experienced workers. As they gain experience and improve their skills, they receive periodic increases until they reach the wage rate of experienced workers.
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers enjoy a variety of employer-sponsored benefits. In addition to typical benefits such as health insurance and pension plans, some employers pay for work-related training and provide uniforms, company vans, and tools.
About 14 percent of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are members of a union. The unions to which the greatest numbers of mechanics and installers belong are the sheet metal workers International Association and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada
For more information about opportunities for training, certification, and employment in this trade, contact local vocational and technical schools; local heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractors; a local of the unions or organizations previously mentioned; a local joint union-management apprenticeship committee; or the nearest office of the State employment service or apprenticeship agency. You can also find information on the registered apprenticeship system with links to State apprenticeship programs on the U.S. Department of Labor's Web site: http://www.doleta.gov/gsearch.cfm. Apprenticeship information is also available from the U.S. Department of Labor's toll free helpline: (877) 872-5627. For information on career opportunities, training, and technician certification, contact:
Air-Conditioning Contractors of America, 2800 Shirlington Rd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22206. Internet: http://www.acca.org
Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Mechanical Service Contractors of America, 1385 Piccard Dr., Rockville, MD 20850. Internet: http://www.mcaa.org and http://www.mcaa.org/msca
National Center for Construction Education and Research, P.O. Box 141104, Gainesville, FL 32601. Internet:http://www.nccer.org
National Occupational Competency Testing Institute. Internet: http://www.nocti.org
North American Technician Excellence, 4100 North Fairfax Dr., Suite 210, Arlington, VA 22203. Internet: http://www.natex.org
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, 180 S. Washington, St., P.O. Box 6808, Falls Church, VA 22046. Internet:http://www.phccweb.org org
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, 1666 Rand Rd., Des Plaines, IL 60016. Internet: http://www.rses.org
Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors National Association, 4201 Lafayette Center Dr., Chantilly, VA 20151. Internet:http://www.smacna.org
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, 901 Massachusetts Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20001. Internet: http://www.ua.org
HVAC/Mechanical Industry Links
ACCA (Air-Conditioning Contractors of America) 2800 Shirlington Rd. Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22206 http://www.acca.org
RSES (Refrigeration Service Engineers Society) 1666 Rand Rd. Des Plaines, IL 60016 http://www.rses.org
PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors) 180 S. Washington St. PO Box 6808 Falls Church, VA 22026 http://www.phccweb.org
SMACNA (Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association) 4201 Lafayette Center Dr. Chantilly, VA 20151 http://www.smacna.org
Home Builders Institute, National Association of Home Builders 1201 15th St. NW, 6th Floor Washington, DC 20005 http://www.hbi.org
MCAA (Mechanical Contractors Association of America) 1385 Piccard Dr. Rockville, MD 20850 http://mcaa.org
National Center for Construction Education and Research PO Box 141104 Gainesville, FL 32601 http://www.nccer.or g
Electrical Industry Overview & Job Descriptions
Significant Points
Job opportunities should be very good, especially for those with the broadest range of skills
Most electricians acquire their skills by completing an apprenticeship program lasting 4 to 5 years.
About 4 out of 5 electricians work in the construction industry or are self-employed, but there also will be opportunities for electricians in other industries
Nature of the Work
Electricians bring electricity into homes, businesses and factories. They install and maintain the wiring, fuses, and other components through which electricity flows. Many electricians also install and maintain electrical machines in factories.
Electricians usually start their work by reading blueprints. Blueprints are technical diagrams that show the locations of circuits, outlets, load centers, panel boards, and other equipment. To ensure public safety, electricians follow the National Electrical Code, and State and local building codes.
Electricians connect all types of wires to circuit breakers, transformers, outlets, or other components. They join the wires in boxes with various specially designed connectors. When installing wiring, electricians use hand tools such as conduit benders, screwdrivers, pliers, knives, hacksaws, and wire strippers, as well as power tools such as drills and saws. Later, they use ammeters, ohmmeters, voltmeters, oscilloscopes, and other equipment to test connections and ensure the compatibility and safety of components.
Electricians generally focus on either construction or maintenance, although many do both. Electricians specializing in construction primarily install wiring systems into factories, businesses, and new homes. Electricians specializing in maintenance work fix and upgrade existing electrical systems and repair electrical equipment.
When electricians install wiring systems in factories and commercial settings, they first place conduit (pipe or tubing) inside partitions, walls, or other concealed areas as designated by the blueprints. They also fasten small metal or plastic boxes to the walls that will house electrical switches and outlets. They pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between these boxes. The diameter and number of wires installed depends on how much power will need to run through it. The greater the diameter of the wire, the more electricity it can handle. In residential construction, electricians usually install insulated wire encased in plastic, which does not need to run through conduit.
Some electricians also install low-voltage wiring systems in addition to electrical systems, although line installers and repairers specialize in this work. Low-voltage wiring accommodates voice, data, and video equipment, such as telephones, computers, intercoms, and fire alarm and security systems. Electricians also may install coaxial or fiber optic cable for telecommunications equipment and electronic controls for industrial uses.
Maintenance electricians repair or replace electric and electronic equipment when it breaks. They make needed repairs as quickly as possible in order to minimize inconvenience. They may replace items such as circuit breakers, fuses, switches, electrical and electronic components, or wire. Electricians also periodically inspect all equipment to ensure it is operating properly and to correct problems before breakdowns occur.
Maintenance work varies greatly, depending on where an electrician works. Electricians who focus on residential work perform a wide variety of electrical work for homeowners. They may rewire a home and replace an old fuse box with a new circuit breaker box to accommodate additional appliances, or they may install new lighting and other electric household items, such as ceiling fans. These electricians might also do some construction and installation work.
Electricians in large factories usually do maintenance work that is more complex. They may repair motors, transformers, generators, and electronic controllers on machine tools and industrial robots. Electricians also advise management whether continued operation of equipment could be hazardous. When working with complex electronic devices, they may consult with engineers, engineering technicians, line installers and repairers, or industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers. (Statements on these occupations appear elsewhere in the handbook.)
Work Environment
Electricians work indoors and out, at construction sites, in homes, and in businesses or factories. Work may be strenuous at times and may include bending conduit, lifting heavy objects, and standing, stooping, and kneeling for long periods. Electricians risk injury from electrical shock, falls, and cuts. They must follow strict safety procedures to avoid injuries. When working outdoors, they may be subject to inclement weather conditions. Some electricians may have to travel long distances to jobsites.
Most electricians work a standard 40-hour week, although overtime may be required. Those who do maintenance work may work nights or weekends and be on call to go to the worksite when needed. Electricians in industrial settings may have periodic extended overtime during scheduled maintenance or retooling periods. Companies that operate 24 hours a day may employ three shifts of electricians.
Training, Other Qualifications and Advancement
Most electricians learn their trade through apprenticeship programs. These programs combine on-the-job training with related classroom instruction.
Education and training
Most electricians learn their trade through apprenticeship programs. These programs combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction. Joint training committees made up of local unions of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and local chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association; individual electrical contracting companies; or local chapters of the Associated Builders and Contractors and the Independent Electrical Contractors Association usually sponsor apprenticeship programs.
Because of the comprehensive training received, those who complete apprenticeship programs qualify to do both maintenance and construction work. Apprenticeship programs usually last 4 years. Each year includes at least 144 hours of classroom instruction and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. In the classroom, apprentices learn electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first aid practices. They also may receive specialized training in soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and cranes and elevators.
On the job, apprentices work under the supervision of experienced electricians. At first, they drill holes, set anchors, and attach conduit. Later, they measure, fabricate, and install conduit and install, connect, and test wiring, outlets, and switches. They also learn to set up and draw diagrams for entire electrical systems. Eventually, they practice and master all of an electrician's main tasks.
Some people start their classroom training before seeking an apprenticeship. A number of public and private vocational-technical schools and training academies offer training to become an electrician. Employers often hire students who complete these programs and usually start them at a more advanced level than those without this training. A few people become electricians by first working as helpers assisting electricians by setting up job sites, gathering materials, and doing other nonelectrical work before entering an apprenticeship program. All apprentices need a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.). Electricians may also need classes in mathematics because they solve mathematical problems on the job.
Education can continue throughout an electrician's career. Electricians often complete regular safety programs, manufacturer-specific training, and management training courses. Classes on installing low-voltage voice, data, and video systems have recently become common as these systems become more prevalent. Other courses teach electricians how to become contractors.
Licensure
Most States and localities require electricians to be licensed. Although licensing requirements vary from State to State, electricians usually must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, and local electric and building codes. Experienced electricians periodically take courses offered by their employer or union to learn about changes in the National Electrical Code.
Electrical contractors who do electrical work for the public, as opposed to electricians who work for electrical contractors, often need a special license. In some States, electrical contractors need certification as master electricians. Most states require master electricians to have at least 7 years of experience as an electrician. Some States require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
Other qualifications
Applicants for apprenticeships usually must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. They also may have to pass a test and meet other requirements.
Other skills needed to become an electrician include manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, physical fitness, and a good sense of balance. They also need good color vision because workers frequently must identify electrical wires by color. In addition, apprenticeship committees and employers view a good work history or military service favorably.
Advancement
Experienced electricians can advance to jobs as supervisors. In construction, they also may become project managers or construction superintendents. Those with sufficient capital and management skills can start their own contracting business, although this often requires a special electrical contractor's license. Supervisors and contractors should be able to identify and estimate costs and prices and the time and materials needed to complete a job. Many electricians also become electrical inspectors.
For those who seek to advance, it is increasingly important to be able to communicate in both English and Spanish in order to relay instructions and safety precautions to workers with limited understanding of English; Spanish-speaking workers make up a large part of the construction workforce in many areas. Spanish-speaking workers who want to advance in this occupation need very good English skills to understand electrician classes and installation instructions, which are usually written in English and are highly technical.
Employment
Electricians held about 567,000 jobs in 2014. About 68 percent of wage-and-salary workers were employed in the construction industry and the remainder worked as maintenance electricians in other industries. In addition, about 11 percent of electricians were self-employed
Job Outlook
Average employment growth is expected. Job prospects should be very good, particularly for workers with the widest range of skills, including voice, data, and video wiring.
Employment change
Employment of electricians should increase 20 percent between 2012 and 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. As the population and economy grow, more electricians will be needed to install and maintain electrical devices and wiring in homes, factories, offices, and other structures. An increase in power plant construction over the next ten years will require many additional electricians. New technologies also are expected to continue to spur demand for these workers. For example, buildings increasingly need wiring to accommodate computers and telecommunications equipment. Robots and other automated manufacturing systems in factories also will require the installation and maintenance of more complex wiring systems. As the economy rehabilitates and retrofits older structures, which usually require electrical improvements to meet modern codes, it will create additional jobs.
Job prospects
In addition to jobs created by the increased demand for electrical work, many openings are expected over the next decade as a large number of electricians retire. This will create very good job opportunities, especially for those with the widest range of skills, including voice, data, and video wiring. Job openings for electricians will vary by location and specialty, however, and will be best in the fastest growing regions of the country, especially those areas where power plants are being constructed.
Employment of electricians, like that of many other construction workers, is sensitive to the fluctuations of the economy. Workers in these trades may experience periods of unemployment when the overall level of construction falls. On the other hand, shortages of these workers may occur in some areas during peak periods of building activity.
Although employment of maintenance electricians is steadier than that of construction electricians, those working in the automotive and other manufacturing industries that are sensitive to cyclical swings in the economy may experience lay-offs during recessions. In addition, opportunities for maintenance electricians may be limited in many industries by the increased contracting out for electrical services in an effort to reduce operating costs. However, increased job opportunities for electricians in electrical contracting firms should partially offset job losses in other industries.
Projections Data
Projection Quick Facts
2012 Median Pay
$49,840/Year, $23.96/Hour
Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
None
On-the-job Training
Apprenticeship
Number of Jobs, 2012
583,500
Job Outlook, 2012-2022
20% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2012-2022
114,700
Earnings
In May 2012, median hourly earnings of wage and salary electricians were $23.96. The middle 50 percent earned between $21.07 and $29.71. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $15.76, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $37.95. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of electricians were:
Industry
Hourly Mean Wage
Annual Mean Wage
Building Equipment Contractors
$25.82
$53,710
Local Government
$29.12
$60,580
Employment Services
$22.24
$46,260
Nonresidential Construction
$23.59
$49,606
Utility System Construction
$28.85
$60,010
Apprentices usually start at between 45 and 55 percent of the rate paid to fully trained electricians, depending on experience. As apprentices become more skilled, they receive periodic pay increases throughout their training.
Some electricians are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Among unions representing maintenance electricians are the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Workers; the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft and Agricultural Implement Workers of America; and the United Steelworkers of America.
To install and maintain electrical systems, electricians combine manual skill and knowledge of electrical materials and concepts. Workers in other occupations involving similar skills include heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers; line installers and repairers; electrical and electronics installers and repairers; electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers; and elevator installers and repairers.
Sources of Additional Information
For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in this trade, contact the offices of the State employment service, the State apprenticeship agency, local electrical contractors or firms that employ maintenance electricians, or local union-management electrician apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is also available from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics toll free helpline: 1 (877) 872-5627. Information also may be available from local chapters of the Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.; the National Electrical Contractors Association; the Home Builders Institute; the Associated Builders and Contractors; and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. For information about union apprenticeship and training programs, contact:
National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, 301 Prince George Blvd., Upper Marlboro, MD 20774. Internet:http://www.njatc.org
National Electrical Contractors Association, 3 Metro Center, Suite 1100, Bethesda, MD 20814. Internet:http://www.necanet.org
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 1125 15th St. NW., Washington, DC 20005.
For information about independent apprenticeship programs, contact:
Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc., 4401 Ford Ave., Suite 1100, Alexandria, VA 22302. Internet: http://www.ieci.org
National Association of Home Builders, Home Builders Institute, 1201 15th St. NW., Washington, DC 20005. Internet:http://www.hbi.org
National Center for Construction Education and Research, 3600 NW 43rd St., Bldg. G, Gainesville, FL 32606. Internet:http://www.nccer.org
For general information on apprenticeships and how to get them, see the Occupational Outlook Quarterly article "Apprenticeships: Career training, credentials and a paycheck in your pocket," online at http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/summer/art01.pdf and in print at many libraries and career centers
Electrical Industry Links
NJATC (National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee) 301 Prince George’s Blvd. Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 http://www.njatc.org
NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) 3 Metro Center, Suite 1100 Bethesda, MD 20814 http://www.necanet.org
IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) 1125 15th St. NW Washington, DC 20005 http://ibew499.com
IEC (Independent Electrical Contractors Inc.) 4401 Ford Ave., Suite 1100 Alexandria, VA 22302 http://www.ieci.org
Home Builders Institute 1201 15th St. NW Washington, DC 20005 http://www.hbi.org
National Center for Construction Education and Research 3600 NW 43rd St. Bldg G Gainesville, FL 32606 http://www.nccer.or g
Plumbing Industry Overview & Job Description
Nature of the Work
Most people are familiar with plumbers who come to their home to unclog a drain or install an appliance. In addition to these activities, however, pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install, maintain, and repair many different types of pipe systems. For example, some systems move water to a municipal water treatment plant and then to residential, commercial, and public buildings. Other systems dispose of waste, provide gas to stoves and furnaces, or provide for heating and cooling needs. Pipe systems in power plants carry the steam that powers huge turbines. Pipes also are used in manufacturing plants to move material through the production process. Specialized piping systems are very important in both pharmaceutical and computer-chip manufacturing.
Although pipe laying, plumbing, pipefitting, and steam fitting sometimes are considered a single trade, workers generally specialize in one of five areas. Pipe layers lay clay, concrete, plastic, or cast-iron pipe for drains, sewers, water mains, and oil or gas lines. Before laying the pipe, pipe layers prepare and grade the trenches either manually or with machines. After laying the pipe, they weld, glue, cement, or otherwise join the pieces together. Plumbers install and repair the water, waste disposal, drainage, and gas systems in homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Plumbers also install plumbing fixtures, bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets and appliances such as dishwashers and water heaters. Pipefitters install and repair both high-pressure and low-pressure pipe systems used in manufacturing, in the generation of electricity, and in the heating and cooling of buildings. They also install automatic controls that are increasingly being used to regulate these systems. Some pipefitters specialize in only one type of system. Steamfitters install pipe systems that move liquids or gases under high pressure. Sprinkler fitters install automatic fire sprinkler systems in buildings.
Pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters use many different materials and construction techniques, depending on the type of project. Residential water systems, for example, incorporate copper, steel, and plastic pipe that can be handled and installed by one or two plumbers. Municipal sewerage systems, on the other hand, are made of large cast-iron pipes; installation normally requires crews of pipefitters. Despite these differences, all pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters must be able to follow building plans or blueprints and instructions from supervisors, lay out the job, and work efficiently with the materials and tools of their trade. Computers and specialized software are used to create blueprints and plan layouts.
When construction plumbers install piping in a new house, for example, they work from blueprints or drawings that show the planned location of pipes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. Recently, plumbers have become more involved in the design process. Their knowledge of codes and the operation of plumbing systems can cut costs. They first lay out the job to fit the piping into the structure of the house with the least waste of material. Then they measure and mark areas in which pipes will be installed and connected. Construction plumbers also check for obstructions such as electrical wiring and, if necessary, plan the pipe installation around the problem.
Sometimes, plumbers have to cut holes in walls, ceilings, and floors of a house. For some systems, they may hang steel supports from ceiling joists to hold the pipe in place. To assemble a system, plumbers using saws, pipe cutters, and pipe-bending machines cut and bend lengths of pipe. They connect lengths of pipe with fittings, using methods that depend on the type of pipe used. For plastic pipe, plumbers connect the sections and fittings with adhesives. For copper pipe, they slide a fitting over the end of the pipe and solder it in place with a torch.
After the piping is in place in the house, plumbers install the fixtures and appliances and connect the system to the outside water or sewer lines. Finally, using pressure gauges, they check the system to ensure that the plumbing works properly.
Work environment
Pipefitters and steamfitters most often work in industrial and power plants. Plumbers work in commercial and residential settings where water and septic systems need to be installed and maintained. Pipe layers work outdoors, sometime in remote areas, as they build the pipelines that connect sources of oil, gas, and chemicals with the users of these materials. Sprinkler fitters work in all buildings that require the use of fire sprinkler systems.
Because pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters frequently must lift heavy pipes, stand for long periods, and sometimes work in uncomfortable or cramped positions, they need physical strength and stamina. They also may have to work outdoors in inclement weather. In addition, they are subject to possible falls from ladders, cuts from sharp tools, and burns from hot pipes or soldering equipment.
Pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters engaged in construction generally work a standard 40-hour week; those involved in maintaining pipe systems, including those who provide maintenance services under contract, may have to work evening or weekend shifts and work on call. These maintenance workers may spend a lot of time traveling to and from worksites.
Training, Other Qualifications and Advancement
Most pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters train in career or technical schools or community colleges, and on the job through apprenticeships.
Education and training
Pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters enter into the occupation in a variety of ways. Most residential and industrial plumbers get their training in career and technical schools and community colleges and from on-the-job training. Pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters who work for nonresidential enterprises are usually trained through formal apprenticeship programs.
Apprenticeships both union and nonunion consist of 4 or 5 years of paid on-the-job training and at least 144 hours of related classroom instruction per year. Classroom subjects include drafting and blueprint reading, mathematics, applied physics and chemistry, safety, and local plumbing codes and regulations. On the job, apprentices first learn basic skills, such as identifying grades and types of pipe, using the tools of the trade, and safely unloading materials. As apprentices gain experience, they learn how to work with various types of pipe and how to install different piping systems and plumbing fixtures. Apprenticeship gives trainees a thorough knowledge of all aspects of the trade. Although most pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are trained through apprenticeship, some still learn their skills informally on the job.
Licensure
Although there are no uniform national licensing requirements, most States and communities require plumbers to be licensed. Licensing requirements vary, but most localities require workers to have 2 to 5 years of experience and to pass an examination that tests their knowledge of the trade and of local plumbing codes before working independently. Several States require a special license to work on gas lines. A few States require pipe fitters to be licensed. These licenses usually require a test, experience, or both.
Other qualifications
Applicants for union or nonunion apprentice jobs must be at least 18 years old and in good physical condition. A drug test may be required. Apprenticeship committees may require applicants to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Armed Forces training in pipe laying, plumbing, and pipe-fitting are considered very good preparation. In fact, people with this background may be given credit for previous experience when entering a civilian apprenticeship program. High school or post-secondary courses in shop, plumbing, basic math, drafting, blueprint reading, computers, and physics also are good preparation.
Advancement
With additional training, some pipe layers, plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters become supervisors for mechanical and plumbing contractors. Others, especially plumbers, go into business for themselves, often starting as a self-employed plumber working from home. Some eventually become owners of businesses employing many workers and may spend most of their time as managers rather than as plumbers. Others move into closely related areas such as construction management or building inspection.
For those who would like to advance, it is increasingly important to be able to communicate in both English and Spanish in order to relay instructions and safety precautions to workers with limited understanding of English; Spanish-speaking workers make up a large part of the construction workforce in many areas. Supervisors and contractors need good communication skills to deal with clients and subcontractors.
Employment
Pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters constitute one of the largest construction occupations, holding about 386,900 jobs in 2012. About 60 percent worked for plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors engaged in new construction, repair, modernization, or maintenance work. Others did maintenance work for a variety of industrial, commercial, and government employers. For example, pipefitters were employed as maintenance personnel in the petroleum and chemical industries, both of which move liquids and gases through pipes. About 10 percent of pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters were self-employed.
Job Outlook
Average employment growth is projected. Job opportunities are expected to be very good, especially for workers with welding experience.
Employment Change
Employment of pipe layers, plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters is expected to grow 21 percent between 2012 and 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for plumbers will stem from new construction and building renovation. Bath remodeling, in particular, is expected to continue to grow and create more jobs for plumbers. In addition, repair and maintenance of existing residential systems will keep plumbers employed. Demand for pipe-fitters and steamfitters will be driven by maintenance and construction of places such as power plants, water and waste-water treatment plants, office buildings, and factories, with extensive pipe systems. Growth of pipe layer jobs will stem from the building of new water and sewer lines and pipelines to new oil and gas fields. Demand for sprinkler fitters will increase because of changes to State and local rules for fire protection in homes and businesses.
Job prospects
Job opportunities are expected to be very good, as demand for skilled pipe layers, plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters is expected to outpace the supply of workers well trained in this craft in some areas. Some employers report difficulty finding workers with the right qualifications. In addition, many people currently working in these trades are expected to retire over the next 10 years, which will create additional job openings. Workers with welding experience should have especially good opportunities.
Traditionally, many organizations with extensive pipe systems have employed their own plumbers or pipe-fitters to maintain equipment and keep systems running smoothly. But, to reduce labor costs, many of these firms no longer employ full-time, in-house plumbers or pipe-fitters. Instead, when they need a plumber, they rely on workers provided under service contracts by plumbing and pipefitting contractors.
Construction projects generally provide only temporary employment. When a project ends, some pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters may be unemployed until they can begin work on a new project, although most companies are trying to limit these periods of unemployment to retain workers. In addition, the jobs of pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are generally less sensitive to changes in economic conditions than jobs in other construction trades. Even when construction activity declines, maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement of existing piping systems, as well as the increasing installation of fire sprinkler systems, provide many jobs for pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Projections
Projection Quick Facts
2012 Median Pay
$49,140/Year, $23.62/Hour
Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
None
On-the-job Training
Apprenticeship
Number of Jobs, 2012
386,900
Job Outlook, 2012-2022
21% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2012-2022
82,300
Earnings
Pipe layers, plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters are among the highest paid construction occupations. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters were $23.62. The middle 50 percent earned between $17.62 and $29.54. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13.30, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $36.79. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters were:
Industry
Hourly Mean Wage
Annual Mean Wage
Building Equipment Contractors
$26.71
$55,560
Utility System Construction
$25.24
$52,500
Nonresidential Construction
$25.33
$52,690
Local Government
$24.42
$50,790
Ship and Boat Building
$22.55
$46,900
Apprentices usually begin at about 50 percent of the wage rate paid to experienced workers. Wages increase periodically as skills improve. After an initial waiting period, apprentices receive the same benefits as experienced pipe layers, plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters.
About 30 percent of pipe layers, plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters belonged to a union. Many of these workers are members of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and pipe-fitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
For information about apprenticeships or work opportunities in pipe-laying, plumbing, pipe-fitting, and steam-fitting, contact local plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors; a local or State chapter of the National Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors; a local chapter of the Mechanical Contractors Association; a local chapter of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe-fitting Industry of the United States and Canada; or the nearest office of your State employment service or apprenticeship agency. Apprenticeship information is also available from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics toll free helpline: 1 (877) 872-5627. For information about apprenticeship opportunities for pipe-layers, plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters, contact:
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe-fitting Industry, 901 Massachusetts Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20001. Internet: http://www.ua.org
For more information about training programs for pipe-layers, plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steamfitters, contact:
Home Builders Institute, National Association of Home Builders, 1201 15th St. NW., Washington, DC 20005. Internet: http://www.hbi.org
For general information about the work of pipe-layers, plumbers, and pipefitters, contact:
Mechanical Contractors Association of America, 1385 Piccard Dr., Rockville, MD 20850. Internet: http://www.mcaa.org
National Center for Construction Education and Research, 3600 NW 43rd St., Bldg. G, Gainesville, FL 32606. Internet: http://www.nccer.org
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association, 180 S. Washington St, Falls Church, VA 22040. Internet: http://www.phccweb.org
For general information about the work of sprinkler fitters, contact:
American Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc., 12750 Merit Dr., Suite 350 Dallas, TX 75251. Internet: http://www.firesprinkler.org
National Fire Sprinkler Association, 40 Jon Barrett Rd., Patterson, NY 12563. Internet: http://www.nfsa.org
For general information on apprenticeships and how to get them, see the Occupational Outlook Quarterly article "Apprenticeships: Career training, credentials and a paycheck in your pocket," online at http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/summer/art01.pdf and in print at many libraries and career centers.
Plumbing Industry Links
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry 901 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001 http://www.ua.org
Home Builders Institute, National Association of Home Builders 1201 15th St. NW, 6th Floor Washington, DC 20005 http://www.hbi.org
National Center for Construction Education and Research 3600 NW 43rd St. Bldg G Gainesville, FL 32606 http://www.nccer.org
PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors) 180 S. Washington St. PO Box 6808 Falls Church, VA 22026 http://www.phccweb.org
American Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc. 12750 Merit Dr. Suite 350 Dallas, TX 75251 http://www.firesprinkler.org
National Fire Sprinkler Association 40 Jon Barrett Rd. Patterson, NY 12563 http://www.nfsa.org
Related Industries – Utilities
Significant Points
Almost half of the utilities workforce will be nearing retirement age within the next 10 years, resulting in excellent opportunities
Persons with college training or advanced technical education will have the best opportunities
Skills developed in one segment of the industry may not be transferable to other segments because the utilities industry consists of many different companies and products
Earnings for production workers are significantly higher than in most other industries
Nature of the Industry
Goods and services
The simple act of walking into a restroom, turning on the light, and washing your hands, uses the products of perhaps four different utilities. Electricity powers the light, water supply systems provide water for washing, waste water treatment plants treat the sewage, and natural gas or electricity heats the water. Some government establishments also provide electric, gas, water, and waste water treatment services and employ a significant number of workers in similar jobs, but they are part of government and not included in this industry. Information concerning government employment in utilities is included in the Career Guide to Industries statements on Federal Government and State and local government, except education and health.
Utilities organization
The utilities sector is comprised of three distinctly different industries.
Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution
This segment includes firms engaged in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power. Electric plants harness highly pressurized steam, flowing water, or some force of nature to spin the blades of a turbine, which is attached to an electric generator. Coal is the dominant fuel used to generate steam in electric power plants, followed by nuclear power, natural gas, petroleum, and other energy sources. Hydroelectric generators are powered by the release of the tremendous pressure of water existing at the bottom of a dam or near a waterfall. Renewable sources of electric power—including geothermal, wind, and solar energy—are expanding rapidly, but only make up a small percentage of total generation.
Legislative changes and industry competition have created new classes of firms that generate and sell electricity. Some industrial plants have their own electricity-generating facilities, capable of producing more power than they require. Those that sell their excess power to utilities or to other industrial plants are called non-utility generators (NUG). Independent power producers are a type of NUG that are electricity-generating plants designed to take advantage of both industry deregulation and the latest generating technology to compete directly with utilities for industrial and other wholesale customers.
Transmission lines supported by huge towers connect generating plants with industrial customers and substations. At substations, the electricity’s voltage is reduced and made available for household and small business use via distribution lines, which usually are carried by telephone poles.
Natural Gas Distribution
Natural gas, a clear odorless gas, is found underground, often near or associated with crude oil reserves. Exploration and extraction of natural gas is part of the oil and gas extraction industry, covered elsewhere in the Career Guide to Industries. Once found and brought to the surface, it is transported throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico by gas transmission companies using pressurized pipelines. Local distribution companies take natural gas from the pipeline, depressurize it, add its odor, and operate the system that delivers the gas from transmission pipelines to industrial, residential, and commercial customers. Industrial customers, such as chemical and paper manufacturing firms, account for almost a third of natural gas consumption. Electric power plants, residential customers who use gas for heating and cooking, and commercial businesses—such as hospitals and restaurants—account for most of the remaining consumption.
Water, Sewage and Other Systems
Water utilities treat and distribute nearly 34 billion gallons per day to customers nationwide. Water is collected from various sources such as rivers, lakes, and wells. After collection, water is treated, and sold for residential, industrial, agricultural, commercial, and public use. Depending on the population served by the water system, the utility may be a small plant in a rural area that requires the occasional monitoring of a single operator or a huge system of reservoirs, dams, pipelines, and treatment plants requiring the coordinated efforts of hundreds of people. Sewage treatment facilities operate sewer systems or plants that collect, treat, and dispose of waste from homes and industries. Other utilities include steam and air-conditioning supply utilities, which produce and sell steam, heated air, and cooled air.
Recent Developments
Utilities and the services they provide are so vital to everyday life that they are considered public goods and are typically heavily regulated. Most utility companies that distribute to consumers operate as regulated monopolies because utility distribution tends to require a large investment in plant and equipment and it is generally not desirable to have several competing systems of pipes or power lines in most areas. Since these companies do not face competition, they are regulated by public utility commissions that ensure that companies act in the public interest and set the rates that are charged. However, legislative changes in recent years have established and promoted competition in some parts of the utilities industry. Wholesale providers of electricity now face competition from a number of non-utility generators.
Many utility companies are municipally owned. In the natural gas industry, for example, a majority of the distribution companies in the United States are municipally owned. However, they serve just a fraction of the nationwide customers. Historically, utilities serving large cities had sufficient numbers of customers to justify the large investment in infrastructure needed to run a utility, and so private, investor-owned companies established utility service. In rural areas, where the small number of customers in need of services did not provide an adequate return for private investors, the State or local government, or rural cooperative associations, established utility service.
The various segments of the utilities industry vary in the degree to which their workers are involved in production activities, administration and management, or research and development. Industries such as water supply, that employ relatively few workers, employ more production workers and plant operators. On the other hand, electric utilities generally operate larger plants using very expensive, high technology equipment, and thus employ more professional and technical personnel.
The utilities industry is unique in that urban areas with many inhabitants generally have relatively few utility companies. For example, there were about 52,349 community water systems in the United States in 2014 serving more than 281 million people. The 48,275 smallest water systems served only 52 million people while the 4,074 largest systems served more than 229 million. This shows that economies of scale in the utilities industry allow a few large companies to serve large numbers of customers in metropolitan areas more efficiently than many smaller companies. In fact, some utility companies, predominately serving large metropolitan areas, offer more than one type of utility service to their customers.
Unlike most industries, the utilities industry imports and exports only a small portion of its product. To some degree, this is because of the great difficulty in transporting electricity, freshwater, and natural gas. It is also the result of a national policy that utilities should be self-sufficient, without dependence on imports for the basic services our country requires. However, easing trade restrictions, increased pipeline capacity, and shipping natural gas in liquefied form have made international trade in utilities more feasible, especially with Canada and Mexico.
Working Conditions
Hours
Electricity, gas, and water are used continuously throughout each day. As a result, split, weekend, and night shifts are common for utility workers. The average workweek for production workers in utilities was 41.4 hours in 2014, compared with 33.4 hours for all trade, transportation, and utilities industries, and 33.9 hours for all private industries. Employees often must work overtime to accommodate peaks in demand and to repair damage caused by storms, cold weather, accidents, and other occurrences. The industry employs relatively few part-time workers.
Work environment
The hazards of working with electricity, natural gas, treatment chemicals, and wastes can be substantial, but generally are avoided by following rigorous safety procedures. Protective gear such as rubber gloves and rubber sleeves, nonsparking maintenance equipment, and body suits with breathing devices designed to filter out any harmful fumes are mandatory for work in dangerous environs. Employees also undergo extensive training on working with hazardous materials and utility company safety measures.
In 2014, the utilities industry reported 4.1 cases of work-related injury or illness per 100 full-time workers, compared with an average of 4.4 cases for all private industries.
Employment
Utilities had 547,980 wage and salary jobs in 2014. Electric power generation, transmission and distribution provided about 7 in 10 jobs as shown in the table below.
Industry
Employment
Percent
Utilities, total
547,980
100
Electric, Transmission, Distribution
389,750
71
Natural gas distribution
109,880
20
Water, sewage & other systems
48,350
9
Occupations in the Industry
About 226,000 jobs—approximately 41 percent of all wage and salary jobs in the utilities industry—were in production or installation, maintenance, and repair occupations in 2014. About 21 percent of jobs were in office and administrative support occupations; 14 percent were in professional and related occupations; and 12 percent were in management, business, and financial occupations. The remaining jobs were in construction, transportation, sales, and service occupations.
Production, installation, maintenance and repair occupations
Workers in these occupations install and maintain pipelines and power-lines, operate and fix plant machinery, and monitor treatment processes. For example, electrical power-line installers and repairers install and repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. They install insulators, wooden poles, transformers, and light- or heavy-duty transmission towers. First-line supervisors and managers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and repair workers. These supervisors coordinate workload and work assignments and help to ensure a safe and productive work environment.
Production occupations include power plant operators, power distributors and dispatchers, and water and liquid waste treatment plant operators. Power plant operators control or operate machinery, such as stream-driven turbine generators, to generate electric power, often using control boards or semi-automatic equipment. Power distributors and dispatchers coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam in generating stations, over transmission lines to substations, and over electric power lines. Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators control the process of treating water or waste water, take samples of water for testing, and may perform maintenance of treatment plants.
Industrial machinery mechanics install, repair, and maintain machinery in power generating stations, gas plants, and water treatment plants. They repair and maintain the mechanical components of generators, waterwheels, water-inlet controls, and piping in generating stations; steam boilers, condensers, pumps, compressors, and similar equipment in gas manufacturing plants; and equipment used to process and distribute water for public and industrial uses.
General maintenance and repair workers perform work involving a variety of maintenance skills to keep machines, mechanical equipment, and the structure of an establishment in repair. Generally found in small establishments, these workers have duties that may involve pipe-fitting, boiler-making, electrical work, carpentry, welding, and installing new equipment.
Office and administrative support occupations
These occupations account for about a quarter of jobs in the utilities industry. Customer service representatives interview applicants for water, gas, and electric service. They talk with customers by phone or in person and receive orders for installation, activation, discontinuance, or change in service. General office clerks may do bookkeeping, typing, office machine operation, and filing. Utilities meter readers read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters visually or remotely using radio transmitters and record the volume used by residential and industrial customers. Financial clerks, such as bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks, compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. They perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records.
Professional and managerial occupations
Professional and related occupations in this industry include engineers and computer specialists. Engineers develop technologies that allow, for example, utilities to produce and transmit gas and electricity more efficiently and water more cleanly. They also may develop improved methods of landfill or wastewater treatment operations in order to maintain compliance with government regulations. Computer specialists develop computer systems to automate utility processes; provide plant simulators for operator training; and improve operator decision making. Engineering technicians assist engineers in research activities and may conduct some research independently.
Managers and administrators in the utilities industry plan, organize, direct, and coordinate management activities. They often are responsible for maintaining an adequate supply of electricity, gas, water, steam, or sanitation service.
Training & Advancement
Utilities provide career opportunities for persons with varying levels of experience and education. However, because the utilities industry consists of many different companies and products, skills developed in one segment of the industry may not be transferable to other segments.
High school graduates qualify for many entry-level production jobs. In some cases, however, safety and security regulations require higher standards for employment, such as documented proof of the skills and abilities necessary to complete the work. As a result, a degree from a college, university, or technical school may be required. Production workers may start as laborers or in other unskilled jobs and, by going through an apprenticeship program and gaining on-the-job experience, advance into better-paying positions that require greater skills or have greater responsibility.
Substantial advancement is possible even within a single occupation. For example, power plant operators may move up through several levels of responsibility until they reach the highest paying operator jobs. Advancement in production occupations generally requires mastery of advanced skills on the job, usually with some formal training provided by the employer or through additional vocational training at a 2-year technical college or trade school.
Most computer, engineering, and technician jobs require technical education after high school, although opportunities exist for persons with degrees ranging from an associate degree to a doctorate. These workers are usually familiar with company objectives and production methods which, combined with college education, equip them with many of the tools necessary for advancement to management positions. Graduates of 2-year technical institutes usually fill technician positions. Sometimes, graduates of engineering programs will start as technicians until an opportunity to advance into an engineering position arises.
Managerial jobs generally require a 4-year college degree, although a 2-year technical degree may be sufficient in smaller plants. Managers usually can advance into higher level management jobs without additional formal training outside the workplace.
Outlook
Employment in utilities is expected to decline, but many job openings will arise because large numbers of many workers in the industry are approaching retirement age and will need to be replaced.
Employment change
Wage and salary employment in utilities is expected to decline 7 percent between 2012 and 2022, compared with an increase of about 11 percent for all industries combined. Although electric power, natural gas and water continue to be essential to everyday life, employment declines will result from the retirement of much of the industry’s workforce. While utilities are doing what they can to replace these workers, the wide variety of careers open to people with technical skills will make it difficult for companies to find enough applicants to fill these openings. Utilities will be forced to further automate their systems, negotiate part-time status with retirees and contract with employment services to make up for the difference between the desired number of employees and the number of workers actually available.
What does a facility manager do?
Facility managers wear many hats on the job. Here are some of the most common functions of facility mangers:
Plan interior spaces and coordinate architectural design projects.
Organize work spaces for comfort and productivity.
Build out space and arrange employee moves.
Negotiate contracts and coordinate with vendors.
Spearhead security functions, disaster planning and recovery.
Oversee renovation projects to expand facilities or improve efficiency.
Keep up with government, environmental, health and safety requirements.
Continually monitor the facility so it is safe, secure and well maintained.
Manage diverse real estate assets, sometimes in multiple locations.
Prepare budgets, manage accounts and forecast expenses.
Coordinate with Human Resources to address organizational changes.
Facility managers work with many types of buildings, including:
Airports
Government buildings
High-rise office buildings
High-tech research centers
Historic buildings
Hospitals/healthcare facilities
Manufacturing plants
Museums
Religious institutions
Shopping centers
Stadiums/athletic facilities
Universities
Compensation largely depends on the scope of one's job; the size, nature and location of facilities managed; and the number and level of employees supervised.
Starting salaries: Mid-$40's - entry-level professional, relevant college degree Annual salaries: Average $81,080 - based on 2012 BLS salary report Top executives: Potential $200,000-plus - in as few as 10 years, for FM graduates in key positions Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov)
MEP Resources
Conducting a Successful Job Search
Managing your career is similar to managing a business. The effort and time put into presenting and marketing a product directly reflects sales, and ultimately, determines success. The same principles apply to finding a new position. It takes hard work, organization, dedication, and a hands-on approach to selling yourself, your talents, and experience. Here are ten great tips to help promote your talents and generate a successful job search.
1.Positive Perspective - Your Philosophy, Your Attitude
When searching for a new position, whether it’s with your current company or elsewhere, having a positive perspective is the key to success. We all need to turn loose of our old scripts. In the old days if you worked hard and kept your nose clean, the “company” would take care of you. No longer is that the case. Today you need to take control and manage your own career. It is your number one priority in today’s market place. Make sure your glass is half full, not half empty - everyday. Replace your fears with faith and trust, knowing you’re in charge of your career. As you conduct your job search keep in mind that selling yourself is really just sharing information about yourself. You’ll need to find out what potentials employers are looking for, then over deliver and under promise.
2.Project Planning
Searching for a new job is similar to creating and managing a work project. First, you must determine the parameters of the project and then do the necessary research. Prioritize your activities and plan them in a logical method. Breaking the project into easy manageable steps keeps you on task and helps minimize the feelings of being overwhelmed. To create a successful plan:
• Define your accomplishments, the impacts they made, and add them to your resume.
• Write a general cover letter outlining your accomplishments - individualize letters to each firm.
• Develop a list of target companies you would want to work for and research those companies.
• Follow up with a phone call to determine the target company’s interest level.
• Ace the interview with great questions and by dressing correctly.
3.Product For Sale
You are the product. To sell yourself, study the job description. Understanding and defining your product is critical to your success. What do you bring to a firm? In marketing terms, what are your features, examples, and benefits? You must demonstrate confidence in your product...yourself. Use impact words that demonstrate your abilities (see examples below).
What are your features?
What are examples of successes?
What were benefits to the firm?
I led the sales team in sales with a 26% increase year to year.
Awarded the top sales person award for three years in a row.
Increased overall sales for the firm by 4%.
4.Demonstrate Passion
In your cover letters, resume, and interview, you must demonstrate passion and high energy for your work. Show that you are excited to go to work. Just as important, demonstrate you are not afraid of failure and understand that failure is just a state of mind. You cannot fail as long as you are still trying. With this kind of an attitude you must make sure the job offered is something you really want. It is far easier to get into something than to get out of something.
5.Professional Presentation
Make a winning first impression. Be prompt, make eye contact, and have a firm handshake. An interview should be treated similar to a sales call. You have a defined product (you), which includes a great collateral piece - your resume. You have the confidence you need in your product, you have done your homework on the company and you believe they need your skills to grow as a firm.
Resume-On the Fast Track
“I’ll start looking for a new job as soon as I get my resume together.” Sound familiar? And then, days and weeks pass with no progress on either - resume or job hunting. Don’t put off looking for a new job just because you don’t have the “perfect” resume. It doesn’t have to be painful or time consuming.
Make it simple. Don’t get intimidated or overwhelmed by the process of putting a resume together. Your resume is essentially a one-page summary of your employment history, nothing fancy needed. By breaking it down into sections, you can take each piece one step at a time and you’ll be prepared to search for, find and apply to the “perfect job”.
First, you must understand what your resume is going to do for you. It is an introduction, a way to present your skills and how they relate to the position. Your resume creates interest and, hopefully, gains you an interview where you can further discuss your abilities.
The most basic resume, and quickest to produce, is one that is in chronological order - list of employment in reverse order of most recent to least recent. After each record of employment, include two or three bullet points of responsibilities and accomplishments in the position.
Begin with your contact information, followed by career summary or objective, work history and then your education/training - in that order. If you find it necessary, you may include any volunteer history, awards and recognitions you find relevant. This is also a good place to list your willingness to relocate if appropriate but remember to keep it short.
Section 1: Contact information. Your name, mailing address, phone numbers and email address are all very important. Make sure there are no errors as this is the only way the employer has to contact you. The email address listed should be professional and not a reference to your religious, political or any other personal belief or extra-curricular activity. Another option is to set up a new account specifically for your job hunt - Yahoo, Google and MSN all offer free email accounts.
Section 2: Career summary/objective. Simple one or two sentence statement about what you are looking to obtain in your career.
Section 3: Work history and education/training. List company name, location and dates of employment followed by two to three statements about the skills, experiences and responsibilities for each position.
Section 4: Education and training. Document the name of the school, location and date of completion or attendance. List any other types of training, certifications or relevant classes you may have taken.
Now that you have the information down, you can continue to add and enhance your resume. You know the purpose of your resume is to showcase your abilities and to make you stand out in a crowd. Developed in a chronological order, developing your resume will be simple and take no time. Just remember to consider your past experiences, specific duties, what you are good at and the things others count on you to do.
Done! Now you can move to the next step of finding a new job.
Tips for Psosting Your Resume Online
Are you looking to make your job search not only easier, but also more successful? Then here’s a tip: Stop using the newspaper and start using the Internet! Put your job search into high gear by searching for open positions and posting your resume online. With the ease of technology and by following the few guidelines listed below, you will be well on your way to finding a new position in no time.
Make your resume electronic-friendly
A professional and well laid out resume is important when looking for a new job. Formatting your resume with bullet points, italics, etc. is time well spent if you are faxing or mailing it to an employer. But too often, when you copy and paste your resume into a window online and it becomes unorganized and impossible to read. Here are some tips for making the transition from your computer to the Internet easy.
It is important to create a resume in a plain text format. Plain text basically means no formatting - there should be no bullets, underlines, bold or italics in your copy. Acceptable characters are dashes, asterisks and arrows. When submitting your resume online, the plain text resume is your best option.
Using keywords in your resume can be helpful
When you post your resume online, you want employers to find you among the other resumes in the database. Your resume will need to stand out in the crowd and keywords are important for doing this. Keywords need to be those from your industry and placed throughout your resume. If you are a HVAC technician, then your resume needs to include keywords that are specific to the industry: installation, light commercial, EPA Universal Certification, and other keywords that pertain to your experiences and continuing education you’ve received in your field.
Maintaining your privacy
It’s important to remember not to reveal too much personal information in your resume when posting it online. For example, don’t include your social security number, ever, and there is no need to provide a list of references until you are asked. Then you can provide them privately to the employer.
Using the Internet in your search for employment, you will open up a new world of opportunity by casting a wide net. Take some time when preparing your resume and post it on sites where the kind of jobs you are looking for are posted - niche job boards will be the best place to post your resume. You’ll be sure to be contacted only by those looking for employees with your experience.
By posting your resume, you’ve just opened your career to a world of career opportunities!
Writing a Successful Resume
Your resume is your ticket into an interview. For your ticket to be valid you need to put extra effort into writing your resume. There are key points that all employers look for in a resume so make sure you are one of the job seekers who knows what they are! Read through the following tips to learn more about perfecting your resume.
The basic format for your resume should be clean, clear and organized.
Make sure your resume is no longer than one to two pages. In most cases if it is longer than that then you are not being specific enough. Organize your information and credentials and be consistent with how the data is presented. Format the text with a font like Arial, Times New Roman or Verdana.
Make your resume readable by leaving plenty of white space.
Do not write your resume in paragraph form. With the fast pace of today’s world you want to get your point across as quickly and clearly as possible. Run on sentences and text overload will make it that much easier for the reader to send your resume to the trashcan. Use a bulleted format and condense the text for added proficiency.
When writing your resume remember to be specific about what transferable skills, experience, and accomplishments apply directly to the position you are applying for. Only include relevant information worth mentioning.
Be sure to include accomplishments and successes from previous work as opposed to simply listing your duties.
Accomplishments include things like facilitating company growth, promotions, certifications and licenses or completing special projects.
List your previous work experience and education background in reverse chronological format. This means your most recent job will come first, and so on. Use the present tense for current positions and past tense for past positions. The employer will be looking for some sort of order.
Make sure you have two or three people proofread your resume before submitting it.
Typos are easy to overlook after working on a document for a long time and can give the wrong impression to the company. They may assume the person who sent the resume is lazy or does not pay attention to detail. These two attributes are not something you want tied to your resume.
Do your best to communicate to the organization that you are the best candidate for the position.
Sell them on the idea of hiring you. Always keep in mind what you have that others do not that will benefit the employer’s company. They want to know what you can do for them. If you make this clear when you send in your resume then you can expect a phone call to set up that first interview.
Because it can sometimes be difficult to write a brilliant resume on your own, take advantage of online resources where you can find more tips and information on how to write a resume. Also, posting your resume on a niche job board will get you and your credentials into the hands of multiple employers who are serious about hiring a qualified and available candidate
You've been offered the job...
You’ve made it past the interview and now you’ve been offered the job. You may think accepting the job is the easy part. But, when it comes to accepting a new position, you need to ask yourself what you are looking for besides salary. There are other factors you need to be aware of before accepting a new position. The truth is, there are a lot of things that go into a great job opportunity, and these are not always the same for everyone. Considering what you value in a job will help you make a successful decision.
Salary
Research the salary range for the position you are being offered. Determine how much you will need for bills, extra-curricular activities and saving for the future. Once you have this amount start thinking about how much more you would need to be satisfied. Salary.com is an excellent resource for getting this information. This range will be helpful when job searching and ultimately, accepting a job offer.
Benefits
While salary is important, the benefits offered should play a part in your final decision. What benefits are the most important to you? Do you have a family or plan on starting one? Are you the primary benefit provider? Ask about the company’s healthcare plan - co-pays, affordable access to specialists, flexible-spending accounts, maternity benefits. Other benefits often overlooked are the availability of continued education and tuition reimbursement.
Family-Related Items
If you have a family, you may want to ask about flexible scheduling, work/life balance and any other family emphasis benefits offered by the company. Make sure you know what is important for you and your family and it is a good match with the company’s culture.
Retirement
Retirement is an important area to consider, sometimes even more important than being in a higher salary range. Because your future is important, you need to look closely at the company’s retirement plan - matching 401(k) program, profit sharing, pension or stock options. Most companies offer plans for helping employees plan for retirement.
Vacation / Time Off / Sick Leave
If you need vacation to recharge your batteries, make sure you know how much vacation or time off you’ll receive. Is there a waiting or probation period before you can begin using your time? A recent trend in time off is setting a fixed amount of paid time off (PTO) so employees can use their time off for any reason they may need. Ask how time off is handled and whether it is specifically designated for sick leave, vacation or a mental health day. This is one area you can use in negotiations when getting a higher salary is out of the question. ve
Other Factors
You may have other priorities to consider. Are training and educational opportunities available? What is the actual amount of work hours expected from you in a week? Some companies expect 50 to 55 hours per week while others want employees to work exactly 40 hours per week. Do you want overtime? What about company environment? How many employees do they have? Are you looking for a large company or a small locally owned business?
So, before accepting the offer, know your priorities and what you will need in order to be happy. If you have these things in mind prior to your job search, you will be prepared for the perfect opportunity when it is presented to you.
