Electricians install, repair, and maintain the electrical systems which power homes, schools, hospitals, offices, and other buildings. Becoming an electrician requires several years of training as well as advancement through various skill levels. Most electricians begin as apprentices, a job which involves attending mandatory instructional courses and classes in addition to performing full-time work under the supervision of a licensed electrician. The median hourly pay for electricians in 2006 was $20.97, and jobs in this field are expected to grow by seven percent by the year 2016.