Union and non-union electricians both have similar qualifications, and they work on the same kinds of jobs. However, their educational background is different because union members often get trained within their organization. Later, they get hired by firms affiliated with the union. Non-union electricians have to find their own apprenticeship programs and jobs, so they don't benefit from the same kind of stability. Many of them also have a lower salary and fewer benefits; however, that's not always true, and they also don't have to pay union fees or take part in actions they don't believe in.
Both union and non-union electricians have to complete their high school degree or GED and then go through an apprenticeship program before they become qualified and licensed. When you join a union, your apprenticeship position is provided by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractor's Association (NECA). These apprenticeship programs are often very hard to get into because there are high standards. However, they are considered excellent educational opportunities, and they thoroughly prepare you for your job. Aspiring electricians who don't join a union might find an apprenticeship position through trade groups. Sometimes, these opportunities are only open to people who have attended electrician school.
The average electrician can expect to earn over $55,000 per year, and they can increase their income by another $8,000 by doing overtime. Your earnings depend on the area you work in, the kind of qualification you have, and the type of business you're employed by. Non-union electricians tend to earn around 16% less than union members.
This means that the average earnings of a union member are $1,144 per week, while a non-union worker with the same qualifications might make $958 per week. Union dues average around $130-250 per year, depending on the union and type of membership an electrician has. Union members generally earn a similar amount to their peers, but non-union electricians might earn much less or a lot more, depending on market conditions and competition between shops.
It's also important to note that there can be a lot of limitations on what you do if you belong to a union. For example, there have been cases where electricians could not donate their time to a cause or charity they believe in because union rules required them to charge for it.
Electricians are in high demand at the moment. The industry is growing because electrical systems are becoming more and more integrated into our everyday lives, and there aren't enough people to fill all the electrician vacancies. For this reason, both union and non-union electricians will have little trouble finding a good job in most areas of the country.
Despite the positive job outlook, some electricians might not always have enough work, especially during slow seasons. Unions are often able to relocate workers to a different area if there is a shortage of jobs. On the other hand, people who don't work for a union are more likely to experience stretches of unemployment.
As you can see, there are several distinct advantages to joining a union. You'll likely benefit from a higher salary, more stable job prospects, and better protection against unacceptable working conditions. However, becoming a union electrician isn't the right path for everyone. You might not want to join an electrician union if you'd like a lot of autonomy over your career, if you don't agree with the politics of the union in your area, if the dues are more expensive than you think they're worth, if you want to be free to donate your time (check union rules to be sure), and if you want to be free to accept work out-of-hours. (Unions require overtime pay for certain working conditions, meaning you may simply not be able to take or finish a project you'd otherwise enjoy at times if the employer isn't willing to pay overtime for it).
While self-employed people and business owners can be part of a union, they are subject to stricter regulations. It's also important to consider that these organizations charge dues, which are meant to pay workers during strikes.
While this is generally a good thing, some unions have used these funds for other purposes, like paying leaders high salaries or making shady donations to political candidates, in the past. Before you join an organization, make sure they are ethical and that current members are happy.
If you've decided not to join a union, you might wonder how you can make sure your income exceeds the average. There are several factors that influence how much you earn, and being part of a union is only one of them. The best way to advance in your job is to always serve your customers well. Become the best electrician you can, and learn soft skills like communication, negotiation, and problem-solving.
Once you've worked as an electrician for some years, consider specializing in a particular field or taking extra exams and becoming a master electrician. Either of these could increase your income and help you to become a more important employee in your organization.
Another great option is to set up your own business. When you work for yourself, you can control your time more easily, and you'll get to keep your profits instead of handing them to your boss.
Starting your own electrician company is a great idea for people who are organized and have good business skills, but it's harder to get started than you might think. To make sure you stay organized, set up a good system from the start. Home service software helps you to keep track of your customers' information, schedule appointments, and create quotes and invoices.
It also helps you to organize your digital marketing efforts. ServiceBox audits your website, so you'll know whether it's effective and search engine optimized. Our software displays information about all your social media channels, Google Analytics, and Google My Business in one convenient dashboard.
That way, it's easy for you to remain organized and pick up new customers more easily. Both union and non-union electricians can find good jobs in virtually every area of the country. Whatever you decide about unions, consider opening your own business to increase your income. Contact us at ServiceBox to find out more about our software and how it can help you to keep track of your team. We'll be happy to offer you a demo free of charge
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