Becoming an Electrician in Texas
Texas has a statewide regulation on becoming a licensed electrician that is laid out by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR). Anyone who does electrical work in this state must be licensed, including businesses and individuals. There is an exception for those who work as electricians in agricultural operations only, and they do not require a statewide electrician’s license.[En Español]
Texas Electrician License Requirements
Generally, a person can start out as an electrical apprentice as early as age 16, as long as he or she assists with electrical work only under the supervision of a master electrician. A 16-year-old can also become a residential appliance installer if they pass the residential appliance installer exam.
Once you turn 18, you can become an electrical sign apprentice. After 4,000 hours of on-the-job training under a master electrician and passing a residential wireman examination, an individual can become a residential wireman. One can become a maintenance electrician after working 8,000 supervised work hours and after passing a maintenance electrician exam.
Requirements for an Electrician Journeyman License in Texas
There are also multiple journeyman options available after 7,000 hours of electrician training. One can become a journeyman lineman at 7,000 hours in an apprenticeship program approved by the United States Department of Labor, or after three years as a journeyman lineman for a state employer. They must also pass the journeyman lineman exam at one of the electrician schools in the state. At 8,000 hours of training under a master electrician, individuals have the option of taking the journeyman electrician or sign electrician examination to become a journeyman electrician or journeyman sign electrician, respectfully.
Becoming a Master Electrician
After 12,000 hours of training under a master electrician and passing an exam, one can become a master sign electrician. To become a master electrician, an individual must hold a journeyman license for at least two years, complete 12,000 hours of supervised training, and pass the master electrician exam.
The Job Outlook in Texas
In 2023, there were 64,440 people working as electricians in Texas, as detailed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment for electricians throughout the state is predicted to increase by 27 percent until 2033, which is higher than the average across all occupations. Becoming a journeyman electrician is in high demand, and it is estimated that approximately 9,220 people will be hired by 2033. Texas is one of the top five employers of electricians in the United States, which makes this field a smart choice in this state.
Electrician Salaries in Texas
The average annual salary for electricians in Texas is $59,280 (BLS May 2025 OEWS data). The top 10% earn $80,300 or more. There are many career opportunities for people to find good-paying jobs in this field.
Salaries in Texas by Occupation
| Occupation | Total Employment | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Wage | Annual Salary 10th Percentile | Annual Salary 25th Percentile | Annual Salary 75th Percentile | Annual Salary 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | 64,440 | $26.87 | $55,890 | $36,830 | $44,800 | $64,300 | $76,170 |
| Helpers--Electricians | 11,030 | $20.53 | $42,690 | $31,170 | $36,400 | $48,860 | $56,240 |
| Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | 1,210 | $38.37 | $79,820 | $69,460 | $79,510 | $99,570 | $99,960 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | 6,150 | $35.46 | $73,760 | $40,130 | $54,140 | $93,670 | $104,540 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | 2,040 | $40.24 | $83,700 | $58,540 | $67,740 | $102,920 | $109,220 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 10,040 | $34.86 | $72,510 | $46,040 | $57,910 | $91,990 | $101,920 |
Electrician Salaries in Texas by Region
| Area | Total Employment | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary | Hourly Wage 10th Percentile | Hourly Wage 25th Percentile | Hourly Wage 75th Percentile | Hourly Wage 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 270 | $28.25 | $58,760 | $16.09 | $19.95 | $36.18 | $36.18 |
| Abilene, TX | 440 | $22.59 | $46,990 | $16.58 | $17.77 | $28.06 | $31.36 |
| Amarillo, TX | 700 | $23.88 | $49,660 | $15.74 | $17.76 | $29.92 | $35.06 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 4,760 | $28.14 | $58,520 | $18.20 | $21.96 | $34.09 | $37.14 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 1,410 | $29.41 | $61,180 | $18.47 | $23.62 | $32.46 | $35.35 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 360 | $20.88 | $43,420 | $14.73 | $16.86 | $23.32 | $30.86 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 320 | $23.42 | $48,710 | $17.36 | $18.16 | $29.02 | $35.30 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 1,150 | $28.83 | $59,970 | $17.85 | $21.62 | $30.48 | $34.16 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 17,350 | $26.62 | $55,370 | $18.23 | $22.24 | $31.44 | $36.90 |
| El Paso, TX | 1,510 | $22.01 | $45,780 | $13.96 | $17.13 | $27.56 | $30.94 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 17,700 | $28.61 | $59,500 | $18.18 | $22.26 | $32.25 | $37.27 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 420 | $23.25 | $48,360 | $15.47 | $18.57 | $28.94 | $31.30 |
| Laredo, TX | 250 | $22.08 | $45,920 | $13.70 | $16.97 | $27.35 | $29.45 |
| Longview, TX | 490 | $23.38 | $48,620 | $15.41 | $18.23 | $29.00 | $33.51 |
| Lubbock, TX | 380 | $22.41 | $46,610 | $14.60 | $17.20 | $28.21 | $30.43 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 490 | $21.15 | $44,000 | $13.93 | $17.15 | $26.62 | $28.53 |
| Midland, TX | 1,030 | $29.20 | $60,730 | $18.66 | $23.44 | $33.52 | $37.81 |
| Odessa, TX | 920 | $24.08 | $50,080 | $17.69 | $21.57 | $30.76 | $37.12 |
| San Angelo, TX | 190 | $22.58 | $46,970 | $14.68 | $18.22 | $29.13 | $34.06 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 4,020 | $24.44 | $50,840 | $17.66 | $20.79 | $30.21 | $35.61 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 200 | $23.42 | $48,720 | $16.00 | $18.28 | $29.38 | $32.42 |
| Tyler, TX | 360 | $23.16 | $48,170 | $16.71 | $19.12 | $28.88 | $32.46 |
| Victoria, TX | 250 | $23.90 | $49,720 | $16.78 | $20.88 | $31.18 | $46.15 |
| Waco, TX | 530 | $22.49 | $46,780 | $15.73 | $18.10 | $28.19 | $30.33 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 170 | $22.75 | $47,320 | $13.93 | $17.42 | $29.37 | $33.13 |
Electrical Apprenticeship Programs in Texas
Texas is a big state with a lot of options for future electricians. To become an electrician in the state, you must be licensed, which means going through an apprenticeship program. You can choose from union or non-union programs.
Union electrician apprenticeships in Texas are based on standard set by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). These two organizations come together to ensure apprentices receive a comprehensive education and training.
The NECA-IBEW joint trust offers training programs through local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs). To get into a competitive union apprenticeship, you must apply with a JATC. There are several in Texas:
- Austin Electrical Training Alliance
- El Paso Electricians JATC
- Houston JATC
- North Texas Electrical JATC in Grand Prairie
- Rio Grande Valley Laredo Electrical JATC
- South Texas Electrical JATC in San Antonio
- IBEW Local 72 in Waco
- IBEW Local 527 in Galveston
- West Texas Electrical JATC in Amarillo and Lubbock
- Texas Gulf Coast Electrical Apprenticeship Program in Corpus Christi
Non-union apprenticeship programs for electricians in Texas are associated with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) or the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC):
- IEC Central Texas Chapter in Austin
- IEC El Paso Chapter
- IEC Dallas Chapter
- IEC Forth Worth/Tarrant County
- IEC San Antonio Chapter
- IEC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter in Houston
- IEC of Lubbock
- IEC Rio Grande Valley Chapter in Harlingen
- ABC Central Texas in Austin
- ABC South Texas in San Antonio
- ABC Texas Gulf Coast in Freeport
- ABC Southeast Texas in Nederland
Electrician Training Programs in Texas
Training to become an electrician in Texas is usually completed through apprenticeships via unions, non-union employers, and electrician training programs. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation provides a listing of the 45 approved electrical apprentice training programs. It is also possible to attend college or trade schools in Texas to reduce the amount of experience one needs to sit for the examination to become a master or special electrician.
- Lone Star College (LSC). Located in The Woodlands, TX, this program offers electrical training that leads to an LSC and a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certificate. These credentials are tracked in a registry system for companies to check a person’s qualifications for apprenticeship programs. LSC is one of five Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium (RACC) schools in the state of Texas.
- Houston Community College (HCC). HCC offers multiple certificate programs that prepare students for careers in the industrial electricity field. They offer coursework in Electrical Helper, Electrical Power Technology, Industrial Automation Technology and Solar Photovoltaic System Installer. This school is another of the five RACC schools in Texas.
- San Jacinto Community College (SanJac). SanJac offers an Occupational Certificate program that consists of only 15 credits, a level one Certificate of Technology that is 39 credits, a level two Certificate of Technology that is 45 credits and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Technology that is 60 credits, as well as two enhanced skills certificates. One of the enhanced skills certificates includes coursework to prepare for the master electrician exam as well as industry automation. The other enhanced skills certificate trains students in communications technology and alternative energy. SanJac is another RACC school.
Where to Find Work in Texas
With the growth that is expected in Texas over the next decade, deciding to work as an electrician is a smart choice with great income potential and job security. Most electricians in Texas work for construction companies or under independent contractors. Licensed electricians can also be hired to work for the government on contracts for cities and towns, as well as working as independent contractors and opening their own businesses.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Electrician programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Austin Career InstituteAustin, TX(512) 371-01007215 Cameron Rd51 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Council on Occupational Education | Private for-profit | priced per program | $19,359 to $19,682by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Austin Community College DistrictAustin, TX(512) 223-70006101 Highland Campus Drive35,600 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $8,5802024-25 | $1,278 to $10,908by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Brazosport CollegeLake Jackson, TX(979) 230-3000500 College Dr4,100 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $3,0492024-25 | $1,772 to $6,850by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Collin County Community College DistrictMckinney, TX(972) 881-57903452 Spur 39937,772 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $3,8142024-25 | $7,260 to $14,142by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Dallas CollegeDallas, TX(972) 669-64001601 Botham Jean Blvd.66,592 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,6622024-25 | $3,002 to $9,399by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Del Mar CollegeCorpus Christi, TX(361) 698-1200101 Baldwin Blvd.9,720 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,9402024-25 | $3,320 to $12,022by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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El Paso Community CollegeEl Paso, TX(915) 831-20009050 Viscount Blvd24,420 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $3,2742024-25 | $3,358 to $12,258by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Galveston CollegeGalveston, TX(409) 944-12204015 Ave Q2,119 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $3,4462024-25 | $7,228 to $13,543by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Grayson CollegeDenison, TX(903) 415-25926101 Grayson Drive4,176 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,5002024-25 | $3,744 to $12,011by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Houston Community CollegeHouston, TX(877) 422-61113100 Main Street49,749 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,3442024-25 | $5,937 to $11,372by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lamar Institute of TechnologyBeaumont, TX(409) 880-8321855 E Lavaca5,302 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $2,8442024-25 | $7,271 to $13,389by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lamson InstituteSan Antonio, TX(210) 520-18005819 NW Loop 410-Ste 160443 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges | Private for-profit | priced per program | $23,537 to $29,736by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Laredo CollegeLaredo, TX(956) 721-5140West End Washington St10,191 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,5002024-25 | $4,877 to $9,344by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lee CollegeBaytown, TX(281) 427-5611511 S Whiting8,143 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,6652024-25 | $6,970 to $8,154by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lone Star College SystemThe Woodlands, TX(832) 813-65005000 Research Forest Drive70,991 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $7,4702024-25 | $8,245 to $14,153by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Northeast Texas Community CollegeMount Pleasant, TX(903) 434-81002886 FM 17353,105 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,4682024-25 | $7,720 to $11,773by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Paris Junior CollegeParis, TX(903) 785-76612400 Clarksville St4,456 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,2002024-25 | $5,954 to $9,041by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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San Jacinto Community CollegePasadena, TX(281) 998-61508060 Spencer Hwy31,494 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,3202024-25 | $6,159 to $14,374by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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South Plains CollegeLevelland, TX(806) 894-96111401 S. College Ave8,866 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,7712024-25 | $5,610 to $11,874by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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South Texas CollegeMcallen, TX(855) 468-67823201 W. Pecan26,440 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,2202024-25 | $895 to $5,020by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Southern Careers Institute-BrownsvilleBrownsville, TX(512) 437-7500935 N. Expressway | Private for-profit | priced per program | $16,391 to $19,231by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Southern Careers Institute-San AntonioSan Antonio, TX(512) 437-75006963 NW Loop 410 | Private for-profit | priced per program | $28,745 to $33,531by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Southern Careers Institute-WacoWaco, TX(512) 387-75283700 South IH-35 Suite A205 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Council on Occupational Education | Private for-profit | priced per program | $22,469 to $24,395by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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St Philip's CollegeSan Antonio, TX(210) 486-20001801 Martin Luther King Dr14,281 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $5,5422024-25 | $3,950 to $11,406by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Texarkana CollegeTexarkana, TX(903) 823-34562500 N Robison Rd3,882 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $3,9162024-25 | $6,155 to $13,380by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Texas State Technical CollegeWaco, TX(800) 792-87843801 Campus Drive11,436 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $7,2122024-25 | $7,281 to $19,018by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Trinity Valley Community CollegeAthens, TX(903) 675-6200100 Cardinal Drive5,300 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,9202024-25 | $1,714 to $12,899by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tulsa Welding School-Dallas CampusIrving, TX(214) 227-9911700 E Airport Freeway244 undergraduates, fall 2023 | Private for-profit | priced per program | not published |
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Tulsa Welding School-HoustonHouston, TX(844) 242-1213243A Greens Road1,799 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges | Private for-profit | priced per program | $32,371 to $36,924by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Vernon CollegeVernon, TX(940) 552-62914400 College Dr.2,136 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,6802024-25 | $4,583 to $12,260by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Western Texas CollegeSnyder, TX(325) 573-85116200 College Ave1,434 undergraduates, fall 2023Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges | Public | $4,8902024-25 | $2,542 to $6,047by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed. Programs shown without a link were added from federal completions data: the school awarded this program in 2022-23 or 2023-24. We have not yet recorded its own page for the program.
Neighbor States
Residents of Texas may also wish to review their options in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
More Electrician Training in Texas
- Where to Find an Electrical Apprenticeship in Dallas
- Best Electrician Programs in Houston
- How to Become a Lineman in Texas
