Electricians: A Future-Proof Career in the Age of Automation

Electricians: A Future-Proof Career in the Age of Automation

Last Updated: 2026-05-28T19:29:53.177-04:00

In-person training, where students can get hands-on experience with equipment and technology, is an important part of the process for aspiring electricians. The Chariho Career and Technical Center’s Electrical Technology class, for example, recently visited ProSystems Integration, an automation company in Westerly, R.I., to give students a look at career opportunities in the industrial side of the field.

Once in the field, electricians have a low (14%) automation risk and strong demand growth, according to a recent report from construction scheduling platform Planera. In fact, the report notes that the current electrician shortage is projected to worsen through 2026, with over 80,000 new positions expected nationally, driven by aging infrastructure, EV charging networks, and the transition to renewable energy sources. The report also pointed out the irony that AI data centers, the very technology driving automation fears, need electricians to get built and kept running. That, the report concludes, is “about as future-proof as a job can get.”

Pay for electricians varies by specialty and location, but the median annual salary is about $118,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some recent job postings for electricians in the automation field include:

Some of the top companies hiring electrical engineers now include:

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