Master Electrician vs. Electrical Engineer: What Are the Differences?

Electricians and electrical engineers are both professionals who work with electricity. Though they share some similarities, there are several key differences between the two. In this article, we discuss the differences between a master electrician and an electrical engineer, and we provide additional information about each profession.

What is a Master Electrician?

A Master Electrician is a journeyman electrician who has completed an apprenticeship and has passed a licensing exam. A Master Electrician is responsible for designing, installing, and maintaining electrical systems. They may also be responsible for supervising other electricians and electrical apprentices. Master Electricians typically work in the construction industry, but they may also work in the maintenance or repair departments of factories, power plants, or other businesses.

What is an Electrical Engineer?

Electrical Engineers design, develop and oversee the manufacture of electrical equipment, such as motors, generators and navigation systems. They work in a variety of industries, including the automotive, aerospace, telecommunications and computer hardware industries. Electrical Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. They use their knowledge of physics and mathematics to solve problems. Electrical Engineers typically work in office settings, but they may also travel to worksites to observe equipment or conduct tests.

Master Electrician vs. Electrical Engineer

Here are the main differences between a master electrician and an electrical engineer.

Job Duties

One of the biggest differences between a master electrician and an electrical engineer is the type of job duties they have. Electrical engineers use mathematics, physics and engineering theory to design electrical systems, while master electricians learn how to perform installations, repairs and maintenance on existing systems. This means that an electrical engineer’s job duties are more focused on designing new systems, while a master electrician’s job duties are more focused on implementing those systems once they’re designed.

Another difference is that electrical engineers tend to work mostly in offices, using computers to design systems and using blueprints to create schematics. Master electricians often work outdoors, sometimes climbing ladders or working in tight spaces to complete installation, repair or maintenance tasks.

Job Requirements

Master electricians typically need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, although some jobs may require an associate degree. They also need to complete an apprenticeship program that lasts four to five years. During their apprenticeship, they learn the basics of electrical work and safety procedures. After completing their apprenticeship, they must pass a state-licensed journeyman electrician exam.

Electrical engineers need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, although many jobs require a master’s degree or higher. They also need to be licensed as a professional engineer (PE) by the state in which they plan to practice. To become licensed, they must pass two exams: the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.

Work Environment

Electrical engineers typically work in an office environment, where they can use computers to design electrical systems. They may also travel to construction sites or other locations to oversee the installation of electrical systems. Electrical engineers often work long hours and weekends to meet deadlines for projects.

Master electricians usually work in a variety of environments, including residential homes, commercial buildings and industrial facilities. They may spend most of their time on construction sites installing wiring and fixtures. Master electricians may also work as independent contractors, which means they may have irregular schedules that include nights and weekends.

Skills

Both master electricians and electrical engineers need to have excellent problem-solving skills. For master electricians, this skill is used primarily to diagnose and repair issues with electrical systems. For electrical engineers, problem-solving skills are used to develop products that solve a problem or address a need facing individuals, families and business owners.

Both master electricians and electrical engineers need to have strong technical skills. Master electricians need to know basic electrical information about how systems work in order to troubleshoot and repair them. Electrical engineers use circuit design, advanced mathematics, linear systems and analysis and electrical schematics in their job.

While an electrical engineer uses communication skills when they are creating reports of their research, corresponding with other engineers and colleagues and developing blueprints for their products, they are not necessarily going to be interacting with customers directly. An electrician is going to need interpersonal skills because they will most likely be interacting with people on a daily basis while they assist customers with solving electrical issues.

Salary

The average salary for a master electrician is $73,560 per year, while the average salary for an electrical engineer is $94,718 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the type of work you’re doing, your location and your experience level.