Technical electrical trades and electrical power line and telecommunications workers

How to become a power system electrician

Official title: Power system electricians

Also called: Power electrician, Power system electrician, Power station electrician, Electrical powerhouse electrician, Apprentice power system electrician, Electrician - electricity production, Powerhouse electrician - electrical power system, Substation electrician - electrical power system, Power station electrician - electrical power system, Relay tester and repairer - electrical power system, Relay tester and maintainer - electrical power system, Voltage regulator maintainer - electrical power system

Power system electricians install, maintain, test and repair electrical power generation, transmission and distribution system equipment and apparatus. They are employed by electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main tasks

Install and maintain electrical power distribution equipment such as transformers, generators, voltage regulators, switches, circuit breakers, capacitors, inductors, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems
Install and maintain electrical equipment and apparatus in generating stations or powerhouses
Inspect and test installed electrical equipment and apparatus to locate electrical faults and check their operation, using volt meters, ammeters and other electrical test instruments and equipment
Repair or replace faulty electrical equipment and apparatus
Complete test and maintenance reports

How to become one

Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program for power system electricians or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses in electrical technology is usually required. Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Manitoba, Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program for power system electricians or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses in electrical technology is usually required. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.

Pay · Outlook

Median pay: $90,773 a year The middle half earn $74,100 to $107,250.
About 4,600 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 5,400 are projected by 2033. (+17.4%)
Projected labour market to 2033: balance.

Questions people ask

How do I become a power system electrician?

How much does a power system electrician earn in Canada?

Median full-time pay is $90,773 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $74,100 to $107,250.

Is a power system electrician a growing career in Canada?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 17% by 2033, from about 4,600 to about 5,400 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).

Do you need a degree to become a power system electrician?

Usually not. Only 6% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Apprenticeship.

Sources

Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03