Electrician Career Guide in Texas
Explore electrician salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Texas.
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How to Become an Electrician in Texas
Most electricians in Texas begin by obtaining an Apprentice Electrician license and working under the supervision required by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Training commonly combines paid, supervised on-the-job experience with classroom instruction in electrical theory, wiring methods, blueprint reading, safety, and electrical-code requirements.
Apprenticeship, employer-sponsored training, community-college study, and technical education can all provide useful preparation. However, classroom or school attendance does not automatically replace the supervised work experience required for licensing unless the specific pathway is recognized by TDLR.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Electrician Salary in Texas
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Texas median wage for electrician workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $62,350, the median wage in Texas is approximately $5,940 lower. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Electricians in Texas
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONElectrician Training Requirements in Texas
Texas requires individuals performing non-exempt electrical work to hold the appropriate license before beginning that work. New entrants commonly apply for an Apprentice Electrician license and gain supervised experience under qualified license holders.
A Journeyman Electrician license generally requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Texas-licensed Master Electrician and passage of the required examination. Applicants may become eligible to begin portions of the examination process after meeting applicable early-testing requirements, but all required experience must be completed before the license is issued.
Training and examination pathways may change. Applicants should verify current requirements, approved education pathways, and experience-credit rules directly with TDLR.
Electrician Training Providers in Texas
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Community College | Houston | View Program |
| Lone Star College | The Woodlands | View Program |
| Tarrant County College | Fort Worth | View Program |
| Austin Community College | Austin | View Program |
| San Jacinto College | Pasadena | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESElectrician Apprenticeship Programs in Texas
Electrician Licensing Requirements in Texas
Anyone who performs non-exempt electrical work in Texas must hold the appropriate state license and perform that work through a licensed electrical contractor. Common individual license pathways include Apprentice Electrician, Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, Maintenance Electrician, and Master Electrician.
License categories have different experience, supervision, and examination requirements. Most individual electrician license holders must also complete four hours of TDLR-approved continuing education during each license cycle. Local permits and inspections may apply in addition to state licensing.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSElectrician Job Outlook in Texas
Texas employment projections indicate that electrician employment is expected to grow from approximately 76,440 workers in 2022 to 87,460 in 2032, an increase of about 14%. The state is projected to have approximately 8,100 electrician openings each year, including openings created by growth and by workers leaving the occupation.
Demand is supported by residential and commercial construction, maintenance of existing electrical systems, manufacturing facilities, energy projects, and the installation of electrical and renewable-energy infrastructure. Actual opportunities vary by metropolitan area, license level, construction activity, and employer demand.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the electrician salary in Texas?
The statewide median wage for electricians in Texas is approximately $56,410 per year, or $27.12 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Texas require electrician licensing?
Yes. Texas requires individuals performing non-exempt electrical work to hold the appropriate license and perform that work through a licensed electrical contractor. Applicants should verify the current license category, experience, examination, and renewal requirements with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
How long does it take to become an electrician in Texas?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A Texas Journeyman Electrician license generally requires 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training and passage of the required examination.
Are electricians in demand in Texas?
Texas projects electrician employment to grow by approximately 14% from 2022 to 2032, with about 8,100 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Texas Wages for Electrician (SOC 47-2111) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Texas Electrician Wages
- Texas Electrician Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Texas Electrician Employment Trends
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Licensing authority. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)