Industrial Electrician
SOC 47-2111.00 · ESCO 7411 · OSCA 381233
Role snapshot
Overview
Industrial Electricians are highly skilled tradespeople responsible for the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of complex electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment in industrial settings. They ensure the safe and efficient operation of high-voltage systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), motor controls, and automated production lines to minimize downtime and optimize plant productivity.
Crucial for maintaining continuous operation in manufacturing and processing plants, preventing costly downtime, ensuring safety, and optimizing the performance of automated industrial machinery.
On the job
- Diagnose electrical malfunctions using schematics, blueprints, and testing equipment such as multimeters and oscilloscopes.
- Install, maintain, and repair electrical control systems, wiring, motors, and other electrical components in industrial machinery.
- Program, troubleshoot, and repair Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs).
- Perform preventative maintenance on electrical systems to identify and address potential issues before they cause breakdowns.
- Adhere strictly to electrical codes, safety regulations, and plant-specific operational procedures.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
GrowingJob growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Education & training
Typically requires completion of an apprenticeship program, vocational training, or an associate's degree in electrical technology, often leading to journeyman certification.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
moderate
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
AI is highly capable of generating and verifying PLC/HMI code, performing complex diagnostics, and enhancing predictive maintenance, which are significant parts of this role's duties.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
While AI can generate code and diagnose issues, the physical installation, repair, testing of high-voltage systems, and on-site safety adherence in complex industrial environments require human presence and judgment.
Adoption pressure
high
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
Industrial settings prioritize efficiency, uptime, and safety, making AI-driven tools for diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and control system programming highly attractive for employers.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Complex troubleshooting in critical industrial systems, ensuring strict safety compliance, validating AI-generated code, and making final decisions on system repairs all depend on significant human judgment and accountability.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
strong
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The skills in complex systems thinking, diagnostics, and control logic are highly transferable to automation engineering, robotics, and other advanced technical roles.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Generating and optimizing PLC/HMI code for routine tasks
- Diagnosing complex electrical malfunctions from vast datasets
- Predictive maintenance scheduling and fault identification
- Analyzing schematics and recommending optimal wiring configurations
- Automated testing and verification of control system logic
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Physically installing and wiring electrical control systems and components
- Troubleshooting unique or unexpected physical faults in machinery
- Performing Lockout/Tagout procedures and ensuring site safety
- Calibrating and testing high-voltage systems on-site
- Interpreting AI diagnostics in the context of physical plant conditions
- Accountability for system integrity and regulatory compliance
- Training and supervising junior electricians
How the role may evolve
Shifting from reactive repair to proactive system optimization and verification.
Industrial electricians will spend less time on manual diagnostics and routine code generation, focusing instead on validating AI outputs, implementing physical solutions, and optimizing complex automated systems for performance and safety.
Strengthen your future fit
- Mastery of AI-powered diagnostic and programming tools
- Advanced understanding of cyber-physical system security
- Expertise in complex system integration and optimization
- Strong critical thinking for validating AI recommendations
- Leadership in safety protocols and regulatory compliance
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Industrial Electrician
Skilled Trades
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
realistic · RCI
Individuals who enjoy hands-on practical work with machines and tools, systematic problem-solving, and understanding complex technical systems tend to thrive in this role.
Personality characteristics
Conscientious
Meticulously follows safety protocols, electrical codes, and maintenance procedures to ensure reliable and safe operations.
Analytical
Enjoys diagnosing complex electrical malfunctions and systematically identifying root causes in intricate systems.
Calm under pressure
Maintains composure and effectiveness when responding to urgent equipment breakdowns or critical situations.
Practical
Prefers hands-on work, using tools and technical skills to install, repair, and maintain industrial electrical systems.
Independent
Comfortable working autonomously on tasks, relying on technical expertise and problem-solving skills.
Best for
- Individuals who enjoy tangible, hands-on problem-solving with electrical and mechanical systems.
- Those who thrive on precision, following technical specifications, and ensuring operational safety.
- People who are calm under pressure and can systematically diagnose and repair complex machinery.
Watch out for
- The role often involves working in physically demanding environments and adhering to strict safety protocols.
- Occasional emergency call-outs or weekend work may be required to minimize production downtime.
A week in the life
A representative working week for an Industrial Electrician — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Industrial Electrician roles
What does an Industrial Electrician do?
An Industrial Electrician industrial Electricians are highly skilled tradespeople responsible for the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of complex electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment in industrial settings. They ensure the safe and efficient operation of high-voltage systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), motor controls, and automated production lines to minimize downtime and optimize plant productivity. Crucial for maintaining continuous operation in manufacturing and processing plants, preventing costly downtime, ensuring safety, and optimizing the performance of automated industrial machinery.
How much does an Industrial Electrician earn?
An Industrial Electrician earns a median of $78,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $55,000 to $105,000.
What qualifications do you need to become an Industrial Electrician?
To become an Industrial Electrician, typically requires completion of an apprenticeship program, vocational training, or an associate's degree in electrical technology, often leading to journeyman certification. Journeyman Electrician License (state-specific).
What personality suits an Industrial Electrician?
Industrial Electrician roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 84/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 72/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Conscientious, Analytical, Calm under pressure and Practical. Meticulously follows safety protocols, electrical codes, and maintenance procedures to ensure reliable and safe operations. On interests, Industrial Electrician maps to a RCI Holland Code profile — individuals who enjoy hands-on practical work with machines and tools, systematic problem-solving, and understanding complex technical systems tend to thrive in this role.
Who does an Industrial Electrician role suit?
An Industrial Electrician role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Realistic (R) and Conventional (C) alignment: the role is highly hands-on, procedural, and demands precision. Requires Investigative (I) skills for complex electrical troubleshooting and diagnostics. High conscientiousness is rewarded, ensuring safety and reliability in critical industrial environments.
What are the downsides of being an Industrial Electrician?
Industrial Electrician roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. The role often involves working in physically demanding environments and adhering to strict safety protocols. Occasional emergency call-outs or weekend work may be required to minimize production downtime.
What is the work environment like for an Industrial Electrician?
Work as an Industrial Electrician is mostly mixed-based with onsite arrangements common, semi-structured — a mix of set processes and self-directed work, a moderate pace and medium exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 72% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be an Industrial Electrician?
Core skills for an Industrial Electrician include Electrical troubleshooting, PLC programming, Motor control systems, Industrial safety protocols and Blueprint and schematic reading.
How do you become an Industrial Electrician?
Common entry routes into Industrial Electrician roles include Electrical Apprentice, Electrician Helper and Electrical Technician.
What career progression is there for an Industrial Electrician?
From an Industrial Electrician role, common next steps include Master Electrician and Electrical Supervisor; lateral moves include Maintenance Planner and Automation Technician.
What is the job outlook for Industrial Electrician roles?
The outlook for Industrial Electrician roles is currently rated growing. Job growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Will AI replace Industrial Electrician roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Industrial Electrician roles at 45 out of 100, which is moderate. AI significantly transforms PLC programming and system diagnostics, yet human judgment for physical implementation, complex troubleshooting, and safety compliance is critical. AI is most likely to take on generating and optimizing plc/hmi code for routine tasks, diagnosing complex electrical malfunctions from vast datasets and predictive maintenance scheduling and fault identification. Physically installing and wiring electrical control systems and components, troubleshooting unique or unexpected physical faults in machinery and performing lockout/tagout procedures and ensuring site safety stay with people. Shifting from reactive repair to proactive system optimization and verification. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.