To clarify, electricians are classified as tradesmen. Wikipedia defines tradesmen as “a skilled manual worker in a particular trade or craft not in the liberal arts, “learned professions” or agriculture. Economically and socially, a tradesman’s status is considered between a laborer and a professional with a high degree of both practical and theoretical knowledge of his or her trade.” Thus, electricians, carpenters, boilermakers, plumbers and others are all considered tradesmen.

So what distinguishes an electrician from all other tradesmen?

Knowledge of Electricity

This is probably the most distinguishing characteristics of electricians that separate them from other tradesmen. Electricians are trained and educated in the art and science of electrical systems, from installation to assembly, drafting and interpreting blueprints and more. An electrician spends years studying, training and keeping updated with the latest trends in electricity.

Licenses

Electricians are required to prepare for and to pass a licensing examination in order for them to obtain their license and be able to practice their trade. Other tradesmen, like carpenters for instance, may opt to acquire a contractor’s license or not, yet they would still be able to practice carpentry in some states. Some other tradesmen like landscapers, house painters, and laborers are not required to have licenses in most states.

Diversity

Electricians are also one of the most diverse groups of tradesmen available. Electricians can be classified into different categories, from outdoor linesmen, to residential electricians and even voice, video and data installers and others. Although all these require the basic electrical skills and knowledge to complete, electricians are still required to undergo special training or apprenticeship before they can be entrusted the job.

All tradesmen, often referred to as blue-collar workers, are all different when it comes to the type of work they perform. However, they are all highly-trained and skilled in what they do. Electricians differ from other tradesmen in terms of their knowledge in electrical systems, they may also undergo longer education and training period before they are able to practice their trade, but they are equally as important as other tradesmen out there.