How Much Do Electricians Really Make in Texas?

Key Takeaways

  • Experienced electricians in Texas earn anywhere from $60,000 to well over $100,000 per year in base wages, plus additional overtime pay and comprehensive benefits. 
  • Your earning potential as an electrician in Texas is determined by multiple factors, including years of experience, specialization, location, industry, and union membership. 
  • Online learning platforms like Unmudl can expedite your entry into the workforce by providing foundational knowledge and in-demand skills or helping working professionals upskill for better-paying jobs.   
Find out how much electricians in Texas can earn each year in base wages and additional overtime pay. Explore what it takes to start out in this trade job and the factors that help increase your earning potential.

Are you looking for a career that's in high demand, pays well, and has great opportunities for professional development? 

If yes, becoming an electrician in Texas could be just the right path for you. 

It's a skilled trade with a straightforward learning path, profitable work, and a promising future.

But how much do electricians really make in Texas? 

It depends! 

Factors like experience, location, and specialization all play a role.

Whether you're starting your professional journey or considering a career change, understanding the real earning potential of electricians in Texas can help you make the right decision.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down exactly how much electricians make in Texas by exploring everything from base salaries and benefits to growth opportunities and factors affecting your earning potential. 

We also explain how to get started in this potentially lucrative field and the steps you can take to maximize your earnings.

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Average Electrician Salaries in Texas

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual wage for electricians in the US is $67,810, while those in Texas make an average of $56,350. 

But that’s not the whole story. 

Indeed.com reports that electricians in Texas earn an average base salary of $60,732 per year, with $11,250 in additional annual overtime pay. The range, however, spans from $34,665 at the lower end to $106,268 at the upper.

Your position in this range depends on multiple factors such as your experience, union membership, location, and industry.

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Union vs. Non-Union Impact

Union membership can significantly affect an electrician’s earnings

For instance, electricians who are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) average $82,664 in annual salary, substantially higher than the state average.

Regional Variations

According to the BLS, Texas has the second-highest employment level in the US for electricians, with 70,580 of them employed across the state. 

The exact location within Texas also plays a critical role in determining an electrician's earnings. Areas with the highest annual average income include:

  • Middle Rio Grande
  • Southeast Texas
  • Gulf Coast
  • Capital Area
  • Permian Basin

Major metropolitan areas within Texas offer high volumes of employment at comparatively higher wages. 

The Houston-Woodlands-Sugar Land and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington regions rank among the top five metropolitan areas nationwide for electrician employment.

Industry Sectors

We often associate electricians exclusively with household jobs, forgetting that they are vital for a wide variety of industries

The BLS identifies several key industries with the highest levels of employment in electricians:

  • Building Equipment Contractors
  • Employment Services
  • Local Government (excluding Schools and Hospitals)
  • Nonresidential Building Construction
  • Utility System Construction

Each of these sectors has different pay scales and opportunities for advancement for electricians. That means you can earn more in the right industry as long as you have the right specialization. 

Additional Benefits and Compensation for Electricians 

While base salary is important, electricians in Texas often enjoy additional compensation and benefits that boost their overall income and job satisfaction.

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Overtime and Emergency Work

Most electricians have opportunities to work overtime or respond to emergency calls. 

Emergency calls and after-hours work are particularly common in industries like construction and utilities, where unexpected issues can arise outside of regular working hours. 

Such work comes with premium pay rates that further increase potential earnings. As noted earlier, Texas electricians average $11,250 in overtime pay annually. 

Health and Retirement Benefits

Many employers offer health insurance benefits that cover an employee's healthcare costs partially or entirely. Some employers also offer retirement plans such as 401(k)s to help electricians save for their future.

Tools and Transportation

Some employers provide tool allowances and company vehicles to help electricians with the costs associated with their work. 

This can be a huge help for those who are just starting their careers and might otherwise struggle to make the necessary investment. 

A chaotic arrangement of various electrical tools, including pliers, multimeter, wires, switches, and tape, on a light wooden surface.

Additional Compensation

Beyond standard pay and benefits, electricians might also receive additional compensation in the form of:

  • Performance bonuses.
  • Profit-sharing opportunities.
  • Commission for service calls.
  • Training and certification reimbursement.

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Electrician Job Outlook and Growth

The future looks exceptionally bright for electricians in Texas. 

According to the BLS, electrician jobs in the US are projected to grow by 11% from 2023 to 2033much faster than the average 4% growth rate for all jobs. 

Current Demand

As we mentioned earlier, Texas currently employs 70,580 electricians, making it the second-highest employer of electricians nationwide.

This robust demand shows no signs of slowing down. 

As Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) executive director Thayer Long noted in 2024, "We have seen a tremendous influx of people entering our industry. Our apprenticeship program is going to jump by 15% from last year.”

Here are the regions in Texas currently experiencing the highest annual growth rate for electricians:

  • North Central Texas
  • East Texas
  • West Central Texas
  • Capital Area
  • Golden Crescent
  • South Texas

Key Reasons for High Electrician Job Growth in Texas

Several key factors are fueling job growth for electricians in Texas. 

They include: 

  1. Aging Workforce: More electricians are retiring or leaving their jobs each year than are entering the profession. This creates a constant demand for new talent.
  2. Infrastructure Projects: Texas' booming construction industry and infrastructure development continue to drive demand for skilled electricians.
  3. Green Energy Initiatives: The expansion of renewable energy projects, electric vehicle charging stations, and smart home technologies is creating new opportunities for electricians.
  4. Technology Integration: As buildings become increasingly automated and technologically complex, the need for skilled electricians continues to grow.

This strong growth outlook suggests that entering the electrical trade now could lead to a stable, long-term career in Texas.

Career Progression and Advancement For Electricians 

An electrician’s career path offers a clear trajectory for growth and advancement, with opportunities to increase your skills, responsibilities, and earnings over time.

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Apprentice Electrician

Most electricians begin as apprentices by working under the guidance of experienced journeymen or master electricians. 

Apprenticeships involve a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction that provides a comprehensive foundation in electrical theory and practical skills. 

Even though apprenticeships don’t pay a lot at the outset, they provide a great opportunity to learn while being compensated for it. 

Apprenticeships funded by organizations such as the IBEW and Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) involve some classroom instruction along with 8,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training

Under this arrangement, apprentices are nearly debt-free by the time they complete.

Similarly, IEC Fort Worth/Tarrant County offers a 4-year program with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom work. Graduates leave the program with no school debt and are employed at jobs paying $40,000 to $80,000 per annum.

Journeyman Electrician

After completing an apprenticeship and passing the required licensing exam, you become a journeyman electrician. 

This license allows you to work independently and take on more responsibility. Journeyman electricians earn a higher wage than apprentices and have more opportunities for career advancement.

Master Electrician

The highest license an electrician can qualify for is the master electrician license. It requires several years of experience as a journeyman, followed by a rigorous exam. 

Master electricians typically supervise other electricians, manage projects, run their own businesses, and earn the highest salaries in their field.

Specializations and Certifications

Specializing in a particular area of electrical work or obtaining advanced certifications can increase your earning potential

For instance, electricians with expertise in renewable energy systems, industrial automation, or high-voltage installations command substantially higher salaries. 

Getting Started as an Electrician in Texas

Ready to pursue a career as an electrician in Texas? Here's what you need to know about getting started in this lucrative field.

Education and Training Requirements

The basic requirements include:

  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Four-year paid apprenticeship program.
  • 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
  • Classroom instruction in electrical theory and safety.

Keep in mind that you will be paid progressively increasing wages during your apprenticeship.

Career Entry Options

There are several paths to joining the workforce as an electrician:

  • Union Apprenticeships: Structured programs with set pay scales and benefits.
  • Non-Union Apprenticeships: Flexible programs, often with local contractors.
  • Vocational School & Community College: Focused training programs in electrical work, often leading to an associate degree or certificate. These programs typically take two years to complete.

Licensing and Certification

You'll need to obtain relevant state licenses and certifications to work as an electrician in Texas.

To begin an apprenticeship, you'll need to obtain an apprentice license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). That involves passing an exam and clearing certain eligibility requirements. 

After this, there are several licenses you can apply for based on your experience and training, including Journeyman Electrician, Maintenance Electrician, Residential Wireman, Master Electrician, and many more.

Begin Your Electrician Career with Unmudl! 

While traditional apprenticeships form the backbone of electrical training, starting with foundational knowledge of electrical systems can give you a positive edge.

Unmudl courses help you prepare for a successful career in the electrical field or upskill to explore new career paths.

Here’s how it works:

  • Mechatronics Training: Our comprehensive mechatronics courses provide knowledge of electrical systems, automation, and control systems – skills increasingly in demand across multiple industries.
  • Industry-Aligned Learning: Developed in partnership with leading employers, our courses ensure you learn only the most relevant and up-to-date skills.
  • Flexible Learning Format: We make it easier to transition into an electrician’s career by allowing you to study at your own pace while maintaining other professional and personal commitments.

Ready to explore how Unmudl can help kickstart your career as an electrician in Texas? 

Take the first step by starting your free trial today!

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated on:
February 27, 2025

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