Electrician in Texas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Texas employs 76,770 electricians, with a statewide median of $58,570 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Electricians Earn in Texas (May 2025)
- Texas median pay
- $58,570 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $37,920
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $71,130
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $80,300
- Employed in Texas
- 76,770
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,350 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Texas markets:
- Austin
- $60,390 (7,340 employed)
- Houston
- $59,180 (19,730 employed)
- Dallas–Fort Worth
- $59,010 (20,930 employed)
- San Antonio
- $57,010 (6,660 employed)
- El Paso
- $48,140 (1,380 employed)
- McAllen
- $46,930 (670 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Texas
Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $58,570 median stretches to roughly $60,319 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)
Texas is projected to grow electricians employment +14.4%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 8,100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Texas License and Certification Requirements
Electrical Apprentice → Journeyman Electrician license — regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- Get a TDLR Electrical Apprentice license to start working and earning immediately — no prior hours required, but you must work under a licensed Master, Journeyman, or Residential Wireman.
- Accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Master Electrician (you can sit for the Journeyman exam at 7,000 hours).
- Pass the Journeyman exam ($30 application, $78 exam). The exam moves to the 2026 National Electrical Code on September 1, 2026.
Official requirements: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) →
Training in Texas
Texas apprentices earn while they train. Look for openings through IBEW locals (Houston Local 716, Dallas Local 20, Austin Local 520, San Antonio Local 60), IEC Texas chapters, or ABC of Texas.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:
- Austin Electrical Training Alliance (IBEW Local 520) — DOL-registered inside-wireman apprenticeship; prepares for TX journeyman exam
- Lone Star College — Electrical Technology Certificate, Level I — Certificate Level I; prepares for TX state licensing exam
- IEC Dallas — Electrical Apprenticeship — DOL-registered apprenticeship; prepares for TX journeyman exam
- Austin Community College District — Certificate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.
Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.
Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
First Steps
Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Texas?
The median wage for electricians in Texas is $58,570 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,920, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,300. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Texas?
Electrical Apprentice → Journeyman Electrician license, overseen by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Get a TDLR Electrical Apprentice license to start working and earning immediately — no prior hours required, but you must work under a licensed Master, Journeyman, or Residential Wireman.
Is being an Electrician a good career in Texas?
Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
Which Texas metros pay electricians the most?
Among Texas metro areas, Austin leads at $60,390, followed by Houston ($59,180), Dallas–Fort Worth ($59,010). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Electrician in Texas?
Real Texas options include Austin Electrical Training Alliance (IBEW Local 520), Lone Star College — Electrical Technology Certificate, Level I, IEC Dallas — Electrical Apprenticeship. Most electricians start with a registered apprenticeship or an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Electrician a growing career in Texas?
Texas projects electricians employment to change +14.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,100 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Texas wages · Texas licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.