Electricians in the state of Texas can expect to earn a livable wage while obtaining stable work in a diverse range of specializations.
If this sounds like something you’re looking for, then you should really consider entering the electrical field!
Keep reading to discover how you can become an electrician in Texas.
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Electrician Job Duties and Skills In Texas
To be a good electrician in Texas, there are certain skills you need to possess!
Some hard skills include:
- Reading blueprints
- Installing, adjusting, maintaining, and repairing electric motors and other equipment
- Identifying electrical problems using a variety of testing devices.
- Repairing or replacing wiring, equipment, or fixtures using hand tools and power tools.
- Working with live wires
And more.
As for soft skills:
- Writing
- Basic Math
- Computer skills
- Communication
- Time Management
- Teamwork
It takes a combination of all these skills to become a good electrician.
How to Become an Electrician In Texas
Unsure of how to enter the electrical workforce?
Read the steps down below to find out how!
Make Sure to Meet All Requirements
To be able to get an electrical license in Texas, you must make sure to meet the following requirements:
- Be a high school graduate or have a GED
- Be 18 years old or older
Be sure to reach both of these requirements before applying to take the licensing exam, or you won’t be permitted to take it.
Complete All the Necessary Classroom Hours
It is absolutely mandatory that you complete at least 576 classroom hours before you can qualify to apply for your electrical license in Texas.
Make sure you reach this requirement or you will not be able to apply for your license.
Successfully Complete Your Training
There are certain work requirements you must meet before being able to obtain your electrical license in Texas.
You must be sure you’ve gained at least 7,000 hours of hands-on work experience, or else you won’t be eligible to receive an electrical license.
You can gain all these hours by completing an apprenticeship program or attending a school.
You can attend community college or opt to attend a technical or vocational school instead.
Apply to Get Your License
Once you’ve met all the requirements, you can apply for your electrical license!
To do this, you need to take and pass the electrical exam.
This exam includes 100 questions and you must score 75% or higher to pass.
Training Programs for Electricians In Texas
South Texas Electrical JATC
South Texas Electrical JATC‘s apprenticeship program offers two career paths and two programs of either 3-year or 5-year-long training.
All apprentices study theories relating to the job tasks important to the electrical trade in the classroom.
Classroom instruction includes a mix of hands-on training, along with online lessons to reinforce concepts taught by some of the electrical industry’s best instructors.
Continuing education opportunities and certification courses are also offered to ensure that all students can achieve their personal goals of achievement.
According to Sotx, “Apprentices in the 5-year Electrical program train to proficiency in installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of various electrical systems on commercial and industrial job sites.
Apprentices in the 3-year Technician program train to proficiency in all the skills required to install, maintain, and troubleshoot various low voltage, communication, and networking systems.”
North Texas Electrical Training Center IBEW-NECA
The North Texas Electrical Training Center offers an apprenticeship program with many benefits, including but not limited to:
- Excellent Wages
- Paid Health Insurance
- Guaranteed Pension Benefits
- State-of-the-Art Training Facility
- Safe Working Conditions
- College Credit for Apprentices
And more.
The five-year program goes in-depth, teaching students everything they need to know about becoming an electrician.
From the basics, like reading blueprints, interpreting sketches, and following the National Electrical Code, all the way to installing and maintaining wiring, working with programmable controllers, and dealing with motors.
AVO Training Institute | Electrical Safety & Maintenance
The AVO Training Institute provides Electrical Safety and Maintenance Safety Training through live virtual classes as well as in person for those who want to get their hands dirty!
The prestigious training institute provides students with access to large laboratories, where they can practice working with live wiring, controllers, motors, and more.
Students have various certification options to choose from once they have completed this program.
A few of the certifications offered include:
- Infrared Thermography
- Infrared Thermography-Level II Certification
- Medium-Voltage Cable Testing & Diagnostics Technician Certification
- Fiber Optic Technician Certification
- Solar Systems Advanced Certification – Photovoltaic
- Advance Protective Relay Maintenance Technician Certification
And more.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| South Texas Electrical JATC | 2503 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78212 |
| North Texas Electrical Training Center IBEW-NECA | 680 W Tarrant Rd, Grand Prairie, TX 75050 |
| AVO Training Institute | Electrical Safety & Maintenance | 4545 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75211 |
| Austin Career Institute | 7215 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78752 |
Electrician Salaries In Texas
After successfully completing your technical program or apprenticeship, you’ll be ready to officially enter the electrical industry.
Plenty of job opportunities will be waiting for you, and depending on your knowledge, experience, and place of residence, you may make anywhere from $40,000 to $80,000 per year!
View the chart below to see the average salary of electricians in various cities in Texas.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $66,402 |
| Dallas | $64,836 |
| Plano | $64,836 |
| Garland | $64,836 |
| Austin | $64,183 |
| Arlington | $63,486 |
| Fort Worth | $63,590 |
| San Antonio | $62,937 |
| Corpus Christi | $61,253 |
| El Paso | $57,081 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 360 | $49,230 | $23.67 | $63,580 | $31,760 |
| Amarillo, TX | 580 | $51,780 | $24.89 | $69,590 | $33,130 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 5,690 | $56,410 | $27.12 | $75,760 | $36,650 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 1,310 | $58,650 | $28.2 | $74,590 | $37,970 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 460 | $44,550 | $21.42 | $60,160 | $29,110 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 420 | $52,320 | $25.15 | $69,290 | $34,950 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 1,900 | $55,370 | $26.62 | $70,360 | $36,660 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 17,600 | $55,030 | $26.46 | $74,980 | $36,580 |
| El Paso, TX | 1,280 | $45,650 | $21.95 | $61,000 | $29,220 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 18,160 | $57,590 | $27.69 | $74,950 | $36,850 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 450 | $50,430 | $24.24 | $64,710 | $33,600 |
| Laredo, TX | 230 | $44,860 | $21.57 | $59,430 | $31,370 |
| Longview, TX | 340 | $47,350 | $22.76 | $62,090 | $30,470 |
| Lubbock, TX | 500 | $47,180 | $22.68 | $64,140 | $29,270 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 660 | $44,770 | $21.52 | $58,860 | $29,610 |
| Midland, TX | 800 | $61,290 | $29.47 | $83,680 | $36,720 |
| Odessa, TX | 490 | $55,000 | $26.44 | $74,420 | $35,080 |
| San Angelo, TX | 170 | $49,590 | $23.84 | $69,530 | $34,380 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 4,810 | $53,630 | $25.79 | $73,670 | $35,500 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 230 | $49,890 | $23.99 | $62,870 | $32,860 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 320 | $56,020 | $26.93 | $72,330 | $35,080 |
| Tyler, TX | 300 | $51,070 | $24.55 | $70,090 | $30,190 |
| Victoria, TX | 110 | $54,140 | $26.03 | $79,190 | $36,190 |
| Waco, TX | 620 | $48,990 | $23.55 | $66,680 | $31,110 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 150 | $47,250 | $22.72 | $62,080 | $29,770 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a certified electrician in Texas?
It takes about 4 years to obtain an electrical license in Texas.
Is it hard to become an electrician in Texas?
The process of becoming an electrician in Texas isn’t difficult, though it will take a little time.
Do electricians get paid well in Texas?
Most electricians in Texas will get paid between $40,000 and $60,000 per year.
Electrician Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
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- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
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- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
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- Ohio
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