electricalroles.comJoin

High Voltage & Testing Jobs

Energize, test, and commission the grid and critical power infrastructure.

7
Active Jobs
3
Employers Hiring
High
Market Demand
Browse jobsCreate your profile

Key High Voltage & Testing Capabilities

The skills and strengths employers look for in this field.

Acceptance & Maintenance Testing

Performing acceptance (NETA ATS) and maintenance (NETA MTS) testing on transformers, switchgear, breakers, cables, and protective devices.

Protective Relay Testing & Calibration

Configuring, testing, and calibrating electromechanical, solid-state, and microprocessor relays using test sets such as Omicron and Doble.

HV Electrical Safety

Working safely around energized equipment with OSHA compliance, NFPA 70E arc-flash procedures, lockout/tagout, and proper PPE.

Commissioning & Energization

Pre-commissioning checks, functional testing, point-to-point verification, and safe energization of new or upgraded power systems.

Substation & Switchgear Work

Installing, terminating, and troubleshooting medium- and high-voltage substation equipment, buswork, and control wiring.

Diagnostic Instrumentation

Using insulation resistance, power factor, TTR, micro-ohm, SF6, and partial discharge test instruments to assess equipment condition.

Documentation & Reporting

Producing accurate test reports, as-built records, and commissioning documentation to client and regulatory standards.

Reading Electrical Schematics

Interpreting one-line diagrams, relay logic, wiring schematics, and protection and control drawings.

High Voltage & Testing Market Overview

High voltage and electrical testing is one of the most specialized and consistently in-demand corners of the US electrical sector. Grid modernization, data center buildout, substation construction, and an aging utility workforce are driving sustained hiring for HV electricians, NETA test technicians, protective relay specialists, and commissioning personnel.

Pay in this field runs well above general electrical work because the roles demand specialized safety training, acceptance- and maintenance-testing expertise, and field mobility. Protective relay technicians, for example, command an average of roughly $93,000 per year, with most earning between about $82,500 and $107,000 depending on experience and location. NETA-certified testing technicians typically earn in the $48,000–$75,000 range, rising with ETT level and lead responsibility.

Employers span electrical testing firms (NETA Accredited Companies), utilities, EPC contractors, data center operators, industrial facilities, and renewable developers. Many positions involve significant travel and field work, and overtime and per-diem can add substantially to base pay.

Credentialing is central to this category: NETA/NICET certification, OSHA and NFPA 70E arc-flash safety training, and a journeyman or master electrician license are frequently required. Demand remains high and is expected to stay strong as the grid is expanded and upgraded.

High Voltage & Testing Salary Guide

Indicative ranges — actual pay varies by location, experience and employer.

RoleTypical Salary (USD/yr)ExperienceContract / Day Rate
High Voltage Electrician$58,000 – $95,0003–8 yrs$35 – $55/hr
NETA Test Technician (ETT Level 2–3)$55,000 – $80,0002–6 yrs$30 – $45/hr
NETA III/IV Lead Technician$75,000 – $105,0008+ yrs$45 – $60/hr
Protective Relay Technician$82,500 – $107,0005–10 yrs$45 – $60/hr
Protection & Controls Technician$80,000 – $115,0005–10 yrs$45 – $62/hr
Electrical Commissioning Engineer$90,000 – $130,0005–10 yrs$55 – $85/hr
Medium Voltage Electrician$55,000 – $90,0003–7 yrs$32 – $50/hr
High Voltage / Substation Engineer$95,000 – $140,0006–12 yrs$60 – $95/hr

Ranges reflect national US averages as of 2024–2026 from aggregated job-market data (ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, Indeed). Field roles often add overtime, per-diem, and travel pay; high-cost metros and union scales pay above these figures.

See the full High Voltage & Testing salary breakdown by level and location →

High Voltage & Testing Job Roles

Common job titles and roles for High Voltage & Testing professionals.

High Voltage ElectricianHigh Voltage TechnicianHigh Voltage EngineerNETA TechnicianElectrical Test TechnicianRelay TechnicianProtective Relay TechnicianProtection & Controls TechnicianRelay Protection TechnicianElectrical Commissioning EngineerCommissioning TechnicianMedium Voltage ElectricianSubstation TechnicianField Service TechnicianSubstation Commissioning EngineerPower Systems Engineer

Professional Bodies & Qualifications

ANSI/NETA ETT

NETA ETT Certification

InterNational Electrical Testing Association Electrical Testing Technician certification (Levels 1–4), the primary industry credential for field testing technicians.

NICET

NICET Electrical Power Testing

National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies certification recognizing competency in electrical power testing.

Journeyman / Master Electrician License

State-issued electrical license required for many HV and MV electrician roles; requirements vary by state.

NFPA 70E

NFPA 70E Arc-Flash Training

Electrical safety training for working on or near energized equipment, widely required for field HV work.

OSHA

OSHA 10 / OSHA 30

Occupational Safety and Health Administration construction and general industry safety certification.

PE

Professional Engineer License

State PE license for engineers who stamp protection studies, designs, and commissioning documentation.

NABCEP

NABCEP (for renewables crossover)

North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners credential relevant to HV work in solar and storage projects.

Career Path & Progression

1

Apprentice / Trainee Technician

Entry-level field support under supervision; building toward NETA ETT Level 1–2 and foundational HV safety training.

2

Test / HV Technician

Independently performs routine testing and HV electrical work; typically NETA ETT Level 2–3 with journeyman licensure.

3

Senior / Lead Technician

Leads field crews on complex projects, mentors junior staff, and signs off test reports; often NETA ETT Level 3–4.

4

Commissioning / Protection Engineer

Owns commissioning scopes, relay settings, and protection studies; coordinates with utilities, EPCs, and clients.

5

Project / Field Service Manager

Manages multiple crews, budgets, client relationships, and overall delivery of testing and commissioning programs.

Latest High Voltage & Testing jobs

Senior Engineer, High Voltage Project

AES

Arlington, Virginia

Senior High Voltage CAD Designer

AES

Louisville, Colorado

Senior Protection and Control Engineer

AES

Louisville, Colorado

Sr. High Voltage Project Engineer

AES

Louisville, Colorado

Solar/BMS Journeyman Electrician Technician

EMCOR Group

Riverside, California

Manager, Electrical Power Distribution (Substation)

PacifiCorp

Walla Walla, Washington

Journeyman Plant Electrician

PacifiCorp

Huntington, Utah

High Voltage & Testing Jobs by Location

Louisville, Colorado3Riverside, California1Huntington, Utah1Arlington, Virginia1Walla Walla, Washington1

Frequently asked questions

What qualifications do I need to become a NETA test technician?
Most employers look for an electrical background (journeyman license, military, or trade school), plus progression through NETA's ETT certification levels (1–4). Level is tied to documented field experience and passing exams. NFPA 70E and OSHA safety training are typically required before field work.
How much do high voltage and testing roles pay in the US?
Pay is above general electrical work. NETA technicians commonly earn $48,000–$80,000 (more for lead roles), high voltage electricians roughly $58,000–$95,000, and protective relay technicians average around $93,000 with most between $82,500 and $107,000. Overtime, per-diem, and travel pay often add significantly.
Do these jobs require a lot of travel?
Often, yes. Many testing, commissioning, and field service roles are project-based and involve regional or national travel, sometimes with extended time away from home. Per-diem and travel allowances are common, and some utility-based roles are more local.
What's the difference between a NETA technician and a protective relay technician?
A NETA technician performs broad acceptance and maintenance testing across many equipment types. A protective relay technician specializes in testing, calibrating, and configuring protection relays and schemes, which is a more specialized, often higher-paid niche.
Is demand for high voltage and testing workers strong?
Yes. Grid expansion, substation construction, data center growth, renewable interconnections, and an aging skilled workforce are all driving sustained demand for HV, testing, and commissioning specialists across the US.
Can electricians move into high voltage testing?
Yes. Licensed electricians with strong troubleshooting skills frequently transition into HV and testing roles. The main steps are gaining HV safety training, learning test instrumentation, and pursuing NETA or NICET certification.

Explore other Electrical categories

ElectriciansApprentices & TraineesElectrical EngineeringElectrical Design & DraftingElectrical EstimatingElectrical Project ManagementSupervision & Field LeadershipInstrumentation & Controls
Free email alerts

Be the first to know.

New electrical jobs, employers and talent, straight to you as they go live. Stay in the loop.

Get the inside track →