what is an electrician?
As an electrician, you work with electrical power. You can be found wherever electricity is generated, transmitted, and distributed. An increasingly important area is electronics. Here, you control electrical current through electronic circuits, which is why this field is also known as semiconductor technology. The term 'electrician' is common in job adverts and everyday language, although there are many specialisations. These include electrical installer, assembly electrician, network electrician, and electronics technician. The scope of an electrician is broad, as you are present wherever electricity flows. For example, electrical installers handle telecommunications and networks. Assembly electricians install electrical systems, lay cables, and fit control panels. Network electricians are responsible for systems that distribute electrical energy to communication networks and public transport. Electronics technicians plan, develop, programme, and manufacture electronic hardware and software. Thanks to the many specialisations, you can find a role that matches your interests. Find out more here about the tasks, skills, and salary of an electrician.
electrician jobsworking as an electrician.
Anything that runs on electricity is your domain as an electrician. You check the flow of electricity and maintain machines and devices. Your task is to keep everything running smoothly and safely. Your tasks depend on your specialization. Learn more here about your role as an electrician.
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your job responsibilities
As an electrician, your daily routines include:
- Preparation: as an electrician, you don't start working immediately. You need to prepare your work carefully. If you are involved in a new construction, you first determine the location of the outlets, switch boxes, and switches to be installed. For this, you study the building plans to identify circuits. You organize the transport of the necessary materials to the construction site so that everything is ready. The better your preparation, the more time you save during work.
- Installations: one of your main tasks as an electrician is the installation of wiring, lighting systems, and their control. You lay, secure, and distribute conduit pipes and cables. In addition, you install sockets and switches either flush-mounted or surface-mounted. You also install electrical appliances, remote controls, and security systems. You connect the switch box to the public grid.
- Maintenance: among your tasks as an electrician is also maintaining electrical installations. You repair or replace faulty devices or cables. Your job also involves improving existing installations and adapting them to new standards. This way, you ensure safety around electrical installations.
- Measurement and testing: before putting electronic systems and devices into operation, you test voltage, current, and power. When connecting satellites, you check the transmission quality. You use the appropriate testing equipment for this. If necessary, you adjust everything correctly.
- Safety procedures: your work with electrical power is dangerous. For you as an electrician, it is vital to comply with all safety regulations. If protective equipment is provided, as in work at heights, you use it. Safety comes first, so you avoid unnecessary risks.
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who are your colleagues?
As an electrician, you mainly deal with circuits, but not only. When dealing with private customers, you are usually on your own. In companies or on large construction sites, you work with colleagues from different areas. On the one hand, you interact with electricians of various specializations, and on the other hand, with engineers and architects. In manufacturing companies, machine operators, IT specialists, and quality managers are also your contacts. Who your colleagues are depends primarily on your place of assignment.
types of electricians.
Electricians have the choice of which specialization to opt for. In each specialization, you will find exciting tasks and be well-prepared for the future. Decide for yourself what appeals to you:
- Electrical installer: your specialization as an electrical installer is networks and telecommunications. You install telephone connections and ensure more safety in the house with alarm systems and lightning conductors. Energy networks for lighting, ventilation, and heating are also part of your area of responsibility, including automatic controls. This includes appliances like stoves, refrigerators, and radiators. Without you as an electrical installer, buildings would be dark and cold.
- Assembly electrician: the focus of your work as an assembly electrician is on wiring and switch boxes. You install and assemble electrical systems, lay wires, mount switch boxes, and connect devices. Additionally, you install safety and warning systems. You take care of the basic electrical work in buildings.
- Network electrician: as a network electrician, you are responsible for the construction and maintenance of systems for energy distribution, whether low or high voltage. You focus on public lighting, facilities for trains, trams, and trolleybuses, as well as data and communication networks. As a network electrician, you have a key role in the construction and maintenance of critical infrastructures. Malfunctions and failures here can have fatal consequences.
- Electronics technician: an important part of electrical engineering is electronics. As an electronics technician, you are responsible for electronic hardware and software in household appliances, medical technology, and entertainment electronics. Control systems are also part of your tasks. During planning and production, you consider ecological and energy-related aspects.
salary as an electrician.
Due to the specialization and the various deployment locations of electricians, you will find different figures for gross wages on the common platforms. Your education, professional experience, and responsibilities play a role. However, you can expect a starting salary of around CHF 59,000, which is approximately CHF 4,900 per month. You can increase your salary through shift allowances and assembly assignments. Learn more here about your gross salary as an electrician.
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how much do I earn as an electrician in a permanent position?
Your average gross salary as an electrician ranges from CHF 59,000 to CHF 88,000 annually. Monthly, that's between CHF 4,900 and CHF 7,500. You work 40 hours a week. The highest earners are network electricians, with a median salary of CHF 88,000 annually or CHF 7,500 monthly. Just behind them are assembly electricians with a median salary of around CHF 85,000 or CHF 7,000 monthly. As an electrical installer, you still earn an average of CHF 77,000 annually, which is around CHF 6,400 monthly, and as an electronics technician, CHF 72,000 annually or CHF 6,000 per month. For electricians in the low-voltage sector such as electrical installers and assembly electricians, there is a collective labor agreement (CLA) for the electrical industry. The only exceptions are Geneva and Valais. The CLA regulates a 13th-month salary and surcharges for overtime work. The region in which you work as an electrician also affects your salary. For example, companies in Lucerne pay more than in Geneva.
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in which sector do I earn the most as an electrician?
The riskier and more demanding your work as an electrician, the more you earn. Your gross salary is higher in the energy and mechanical engineering sectors compared to other sectors. If you work outdoors on high-voltage lines, your average salary is higher than that of colleagues in the low-voltage sector.
education and further training as an electrician.
In all electrician professions, you go through basic training, which you complete with a Federal Vocational Education Certificate (EFZ). As an electrical installer and electronics technician, you attend an apprenticeship of four years. If you specialize as an assembly electrician and network electrician, you finish after a three-year apprenticeship. After completing your apprenticeship, you gain work experience. But that's far from the end. Through further education, you qualify for higher positions. Vocational schools, professional associations, and technical institutes offer you specializations such as Electrical team leader, Company electrician, Electrical project leader installation and safety. If you aim for a career in management, consider a study as a Certified technician HF electrical engineering or a Bachelor of Science of a University of Applied Sciences in Electrical engineering. As a network electrician, you also have the option of the higher professional examination (HFP) as an energy and efficiency consultant. After completing an apprenticeship as an electronics technician, you can specialize as an ICT system and network technician or multimedia electronics technician. A study as a Certified Technician in Computer science or Bachelor of science at a university of applied sciences in computer science is also an option.
jobs as an electrician.
As an electrician, you can find a job in virtually all industries. If you are looking for a job as an electrical installer, electrical installation companies, electricity utilities, or industrial companies would welcome your application. As an assembly electrician, you mainly work on construction sites on behalf of an electrical installation company. After your apprenticeship as a network electrician, you are mainly in demand in electricity companies, telecommunications companies, and public transportation companies. As an electronics technician, you will find an attractive position in almost all industries. Companies in mechanical engineering, energy and medical technology, and telecommunications are urgently looking for you. Are you interested in an attractive position as an electrician? On this page, you will find our offers.
positions for career changers as an electrician.
For you as an electrician, it is vital to handle electrical power professionally. You learn this in your basic training. As a career changer, you have chances if you acquire the necessary skills through further training. Related professions such as electrical planner or automation technician provide good prerequisites. Professional experience with electrical lines and connections will also help you. The crucial factor is that you want to develop further.
career opportunities and development potential as an electrician.
You have already laid the foundation for a career in the technology sector with your basic training. Electricians are in demand in all industries. You increase your advancement opportunities through further education. Obtain specializations such as Electrical project leader installation and safety, and you will improve your chances of advancement. If you enjoy instructing young electricians, become a trainer. Through additional qualifications, you can advance to a team leader. A management career opens up, for example, with a study as a Certified technician and the corresponding specialization. You have excellent future prospects with your basic training as an electrician. Do you want to develop yourself further? Check out our tests and tips.
competencies as an electrician.
To be successful as an electrician and enjoy your work, you need technical and personal competencies like:
- Technical skills: as an electrician, you are technically adept. You handle tools skillfully. You adeptly assemble circuits or dismantle component groups. Thanks to your technical understanding, you find a solution for every electrical problem.
- Communication skills: in your profession as an electrician, you communicate within the team and with customers. You can give clear instructions and provide understandable instructions for new machines or devices. You are a valued point of contact for both team members and customers.
- Willingness to learn: standards and technologies are constantly evolving. As an electrician, you are always ready to learn new things. You stay up to date and benefit professionally from your expertise.
- Physical resilience: you have chosen a craft profession that requires physical fitness. Some of your activities are physically demanding. You work partly in a crouched position, on ladders, and scaffolding. Most of the day, you are on the move.
advantages as an electrician at randstad.
There are many good reasons to work as an electrician at Randstad:
✓ exciting jobs with well-known companies
✓ a reliable contact person whenever you need them, personal advice counts
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ further training courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
Do you have a temporary position?
There is often the chance of a permanent follow-up contract. Many popular companies also recruit their employees directly via Randstad
your training budget as an electrician at randstad.
If you work as an electrician for Randstad, you have access to further training courses. You can attend training courses as part of swissstaffing's TempTraining program. If you pass the course exam, you will be reimbursed the course fee. Your Randstad consultant will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. For example, you can acquire additional language or job-specific knowledge. And all this during your working hours as an electrician.
application tips for electricians at randstad.
Have you found your dream job as an electrician? It's not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your application. Careful, error-free and personal documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to optimize your chances:
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1. electrician - find a job
Search the Randstad job listings. If you don't find a job that suits you, you can still contact us personally without obligation or create a Randstad profile.
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2. applying as an electrician
The job advertisement is the next step: apply online, call us or send us an e-mail.
Make sure your documents are complete:
✓ CV with photo
✓ Job references & diplomas
Don't have a CV yet or just an outdated version? Create a new layout with a free online template.
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3. prepare for a job interview as an electrician
Good preparation will help you to stay calm during your interview as an electrician.
Here you will find tips for the job interview.
frequently asked questions.
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the job as an electrician.
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what does an electrician do?
As an electrician, you can be found wherever electricity flows. Your job is to distribute electricity, be it through wiring or electronic circuits. Your specialization determines what exactly you do. As an electrical installer, you are responsible for telecommunications and networks. As an assembly electrician, you install systems, lay cables, assemble switchgear, and connect devices. Your focus as a network electrician is to let electrical energy flow into communication networks and public transportation. Finally, as an electronics technician, you plan, develop, and program hardware and software. Learn more about your duties as an electrician here.
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how much do I earn as an electrician?
Your annual gross salary as an electrician ranges from CHF 59,000 to CHF 88,000, depending on specialization. Monthly, that's between CHF 4,900 and CHF 7,500. Your education and professional experience have a significant impact on your gross salary. Additional benefits such as a 13th-month salary and surcharges for overtime work have a positive effect. Learn more about your gross salary as an electrician here.
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is being an electrician a good profession?
As an electrician, you can choose between different focuses and choose the area that fascinates you the most. The advantage of your craft profession is that you see what you have accomplished. It won't be boring for you because machines, systems, and distributors constantly present you with tricky tasks. Moreover, the profession of an electrician is crisis-proof and offers you future prospects. Do you want to know what to expect as an electrician? Then read on here.
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is being an electrician difficult?
Being an electrician is a demanding profession. You deal with electricity and are required to comply with all safety regulations. A wrong move can cost you your life. In your training and in further training courses, you learn to handle this responsibility. Due to the ongoing technological development, you must always keep your knowledge up to date in this profession. Learn more about the profession of an electrician here.
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do you need experience to become an electrician?
As an electrician, you have the choice between various basic training programs with different focuses. You gain practical experience in your training company. Manual dexterity and technical understanding will make it easier for you to start your career. After your apprenticeship, you gain work experience. The more experience you can demonstrate as an electrician, the higher your salary. Through Randstad, you can find positions for career changers and experienced professionals. Read here what skills you need as an electrician.
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what requirements do I need to fulfill to become an electrician?
To work as an electrician, you need basic training. Depending on which focus interests you, you complete an apprenticeship as an electrical installer EFZ, assembly electrician EFZ, network electrician EFZ, or electronics technician EFZ. Through further training, you specialize or recommend yourself for a management career. If you also bring communication skills, willingness to learn, and physical resilience, there is nothing standing in the way of your success as an electrician. Are you looking for an attractive position with future prospects? Discover our offer for electricians here.
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how do I apply for a job as an electrician?
Your application as an electrician is simple. Create a Randstad profile and search our job board for open positions near you. Have you found an interesting offer? Then send us your application with a cover letter, CV, and certificates right away. Do you need help with your application? With the help of our application tips, you can easily create a meaningful application.
