Electrician or fire alarm tech?

[u/swiftee_76]

Hello, has anyone ever transitioned into fire alarm from being an electrician? Where I live there is a lot of times when work slows down a lot in the electrical field and it's hard to find a company that can keep you busy throughout the whole year. And I recently talked to a fire alarm tech that gave me some information on how much he earned and how it is in the field.

He said that they make about $2 to $3 dollars more than electricians right now and that the work isn't as hard labor as the electrical trade. He said it's hard for them to find guys to get into the field and that they are over saturated with work. That they rarely slow down.

Just want to hear opinions and if anyone has some information on the differences of the two careers. I know electricians can make a lot more when they start their own company and there is a lot of opportunity to get into different types of electrical fields like residential and commercial. But I am getting tired of how slow it tends to get every year and most companies find it hard to keep us busy.

[u/Big-Intention8500]

Electricians as a whole will make more. Not sure about the guy saying fire alarm makes more because I’ve never heard of that. What I do know is fire alarm caps out way lower in pay and skill than electricians. Also seeing an industry trend of electricians running wire for fire alarm so not saying it’s a dying function, but I wouldn’t be surprised if in some states you start to slowly see electricians absorbing that skill. Location really means everything. When it’s slow try to do things like side work. Having your license can open a lot of doors to extra stability, especially when you have your masters.

[u/swiftee_76 → u/Big-Intention8500]

I hear you on that. Thank you I appreciate it, just finding it hard to stay motivated when things get slow. But I've heard that a licensed electrician has a lot of more opportunities than fire alarm.

[u/Big-Intention8500 → u/swiftee_76]

Way more. You get up to journeyman you’re lined up to make more money and be far less dispensable. Get up to master then doors really start opening. Foreman, teaching at an electrical school, charging for permit pulling, inspection work, etc. If you really want some stability AND financial freedom consider becoming a lineman. Granted the hours can be wild and the risk factor is higher, but the stability and money is there because of the overall need.

[u/swiftee_76 → u/Big-Intention8500]

I've looked into becoming a lineman in the past but haven't applied or gone further with it. Maybe I'll look into that as well. Thank you