Electricians

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

AI Resistance Index 96 of 99

Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 96% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +9.2% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on physical dexterity and ethical judgement.

AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.

Median pay (2025): $63,190
Job growth to 2035: +9.2%
Openings a year: 72,700
People doing it (2025): 821,000
Usual route in: High school diploma, then an apprenticeship

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Where people already use AI for this work

Test performance of equipment or systems
Connect components or supply lines to equipment or tools
Plan work activities

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Install commercial or production equipment
Repair electrical or electronic equipment
Perform general construction or extraction activities

What the work looks like

Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

More of these jobs, as an expected rise in electricity demand mainly from a growing number of data centers and the need to upgrade and expand electrical grid infrastructure, increase demand for electricians to install and connect the electrical systems and electrical generation sources to the electrical grid.
More of these jobs, as an expected rise in demand for electricity, heating, and air-condition needs mainly from a growing number of data centers, increase demand for electricians to install and connect heating and cooling systems and connect them to electrical grid.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Commercial diversHuman edge, growing, Index 97, +4.8%
Manufactured building and mobile home installersHuman edge, growing, Index 98, +5.8%
Aircraft mechanics and service techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 98, +5.4%
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except enginesHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +6.7%

Also known as: Electrician, Industrial Electrician, Inside Wireman, Maintenance Electrician, Control Electrician, Electrical Journey Person, Electrical Troubleshooter, Housing Maintenance Electrician.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.