Episode Overview

In this episode of How Much Can I Make?, host Mirav Ozeri revisits a fan-favorite interview with Eli the Electrician, a seasoned professional with deep experience in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical work. The conversation sheds light on what it takes to become an electrician, the risks and rewards, essential skills, the financial prospects of the trade, and why it's considered an “AI-proof” job. Eli’s candid storytelling reveals both the practical realities and personal satisfactions of life as an electrician.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pathway to Becoming an Electrician

• Early Education & Vocational Training

  • Eli started in high school through a BOCES vocational program, dedicating half his school day to learning electrical theory and practical skills ([01:08]).
  • Continued to Hudson Valley Community College for a two-year degree in Electrical Construction and Maintenance—first year focused on residential, the second on advanced commercial and industrial applications ([01:58]).

• Transition into the Workforce

  • After his associate's, Eli initially worked in industrial settings, moving heavy machinery and rewiring factories ([02:51]).
  • Transitioned back to residential and commercial work, gaining specialization in generator installations ("At this point, I think I'm like 400 generators deep." – Eli, [05:04]).

2. The Nature of Electrical Work

• Industrial vs. Residential

  • Industrial work is more physically and mentally demanding, with longer shifts and higher-pressure tasks compared to residential jobs ([05:19]).
  • Residential offers less intensity and more predictability but still requires significant physical labor.

• Physical and Mental Demands

  • The job requires lifting heavy equipment (tool bag alone weighs ~80 lbs), working at heights, and maintaining fitness ([27:12]).
  • "You have to stay fit... my tool bag alone is around 80 pounds." – Eli, [27:12]

3. Skills and Training Required

• Foundational Knowledge

  • Strong recommendation to pursue formal education—not just family apprenticeship: "I always advocate for school. I would never think that just one person's opinion was enough for me to learn off of." – Eli, [07:22]
  • Understanding electrical theory, code, and safety is critical: "You're literally dealing with an invisible entity that can kill you." – Eli, [05:43]

• The Apprenticeship & Licensing Ladder

  • Typical path: School (2 years) → Apprenticeship (4 years) → Journeyman (4 years) → Master Electrician ([12:28]).
  • Licensure is essential; unlicensed time doesn’t count toward required experience ([06:45]).

• Continuing Education & Code Updates

  • Required to stay updated with evolving codes through periodic courses and online programs, such as Jade Education ([10:11]).

4. Dangers and Safety in the Field

• Risks of the Job

  • Encounters with deadly voltage are real and persistent. "I've had good teachers ... but ultimately I would say it's the grouping of all that knowledge that has made me a better electrician." – Eli, [07:22]
  • Stories of fatalities, like a worker electrocuted from using an aluminum ladder ([08:44]).
  • Safety mantras: “Not grounded, not dead.” Use of fiberglass ladders, turning off breakers ([09:04], [30:39]).

• Common Hazards

  • Live-panel work, high-line repairs (sometimes cannot turn power off), and dealing with fires typically caused by loose connections or rodents ([15:52], [22:57], [24:49]).
  • Fire risks from old wiring systems like knob and tube still found in historic homes ([24:49]).

• Personal Experiences

  • Every electrician gets shocked: "I've been shocked probably a few hundred times." – Eli, [30:14]
  • Distinction: "Technically electrocution is death. Right. So. But shocked, yeah." ([30:04])

5. Financial Prospects and Advancement

• Wages and Earning Potential

  • Starting pay for beginners is now ~$20/hr; Eli started at $14/hr without experience ([10:32]).
  • Experienced, licensed electricians can earn $125–$250/hr; high-level specialists in industrial settings can reach $300,000+ annually ([10:57], [11:14]).
  • "Most jobs I make about $125 an hour." – Eli, [11:14]

• Advancement Timeline

  • Path to six-figure income typically takes 5–7 years, depending on licensing and specialization ([11:48]).

• Most Lucrative Paths

  • Traveling industrial electricians specializing in multi-million dollar machinery are top earners, sometimes traveling globally for repairs ([12:51]).
  • Reputation and referrals become the main driver of business, reducing the need for advertising ([14:25]).

6. The Breadth of Work & Day-to-Day Life

• Varied, Never Boring

  • Work spans giving estimates, residential and commercial projects, land development, troubleshooting, and crisis response ([17:32]).
  • "You get to a new location every day. It's not the same day as yesterday." – Eli, [29:03]

• Favorite & Least Favorite Jobs

  • Loves lighting design and generator installation for their visible, meaningful impact ([20:42], [21:11]).
  • Least favorite: Septic system pumps due to the mess and smell ([21:37]).

7. Industry Challenges and Trends

• Shortage of Licensed Electricians

  • Licensing requirements have reduced the pool ("One for 10,000" – Mirav, [20:34]), making it difficult to find available electricians.

• Infrastructure and Modern Demands

  • Modern demands (like EV charging stations) outpace old home wiring capacities, often requiring expensive upgrades ([25:27]).
  • Older homes with outdated wiring (e.g., knob and tube) remain a fire risk and need modernization ([24:49]).

8. The “AI-proof” Nature of the Job

• Why Electricians Can't Be Automated (Yet)

  • Hands-on, situational work requires human judgment: “There’s no system AI that could do what we do at all aside from full on robots that are physically taking our jobs.” – Eli, [28:07]

• Electricians Will Fix the AI, Not Be Replaced by It

  • “If anything, we’re the ones that would be repairing and fixing all the AI coming forward.” – Eli, [28:07]

9. Rewards and Job Satisfaction

• Job Security and Independence
  • Financial security, constant demand, control over one's schedule, and absence of monotony are major rewards ([29:03]).
  • “You can really just control your future. And that's what I think most people want in a career.” – Eli, [29:03]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Safety:

  • "You're literally dealing with an invisible entity that can kill you." — Eli ([05:43])
  • “Not grounded, not dead. That's the rule of thumb.” — Eli ([30:39])

• On Earning Power:

  • “Most jobs I make about $125 an hour.” — Eli ([11:14])
  • “I have friends of mine that make $250 an hour.” — Eli ([10:57])
  • "The way that I grew up here, you know, I started at about $14 an hour, but that was with no experience at all at that time." — Eli ([10:32])

• On Training:

  • “I always advocate for school. I would never think that just one person's opinion was enough for me to learn off of.” — Eli ([07:22])

• On the Breadth of the Job:

  • "If I could do [lighting] all the time, I would... making it a brand new, beautiful, glowing thing.” — Eli ([20:42])

• On Challenges:

  • “[The biggest challenge is] the physicality, without a doubt... There's a lot to it, as far as pulling wire, you know, running wire overhead. You have to be good with heights.” — Eli ([26:29])

• On AI:

  • “There’s no system AI that could do what we do at all aside from full on robots that are physically taking our jobs.” — Eli ([28:07])
  • "If anything, we're the ones that would be repairing and fixing all the AI coming forward." — Eli ([28:07])

• On Job Satisfaction:

  • “The reward is knowing that you will not have to suffer during your life financially... You get to a new location every day. It's not the same day as yesterday.” — Eli ([29:03])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:08] – Eli’s start in the trades and vocational school experience
• [02:51] – Transition from education to industrial fieldwork
• [05:04] – Specializing in generators, moving into residential/commercial jobs
• [05:43] – Essential skills and safety in the trade
• [07:22] – Value of diverse learning, not just relying on mentors/family
• [08:44] – Dangers of the job: working with high-voltage, fatal mistakes
• [10:32] – Starting pay and current wage laws for entry-level electricians
• [10:57] – High earning potential at mastery/specialist levels
• [12:28] – Timeline and stages of advancement in the electrician’s career
• [12:51] – Most lucrative specialization: industrial/traveling electrician
• [15:52] – High-risk work scenarios, “can’t turn off the power” situations
• [17:32] – A typical day: estimates, diverse project management
• [20:42] – Favorite project types: lighting and generator installation
• [21:37] – Least favorite jobs: septic system pumps
• [24:49] – Fire risks in old wiring systems; infrastructure concerns
• [25:27] – The impact of electric vehicles on the trade
• [26:29] – Physical demands and long-term health considerations
• [28:07] – AI-proof career: why automation won’t replace electricians
• [29:03] – Rewards: financial security, autonomy, and day-to-day variety
• [30:14] – Every electrician gets shocked

Final Takeaways

• Becoming an electrician is a path of education, apprenticeship, and continual learning.
• The trade is physically and mentally demanding but provides job security and financial independence.
• Mistakes can be deadly; strict adherence to safety practices and constant upskilling are crucial.
• Opportunities for specialization and advancement are vast, with the potential for high earnings, especially for those who master industrial systems or own their business.
• Eli predicts the job is “AI-proof,” highly satisfying, and recommended for anyone willing to put in the work and training.

For those considering a career as an electrician, Eli’s story outlines a practical roadmap: get educated, train with reputable professionals, stay updated, and expect to work hard—but also to be rewarded for your expertise and commitment.