Electrician in Texas

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TX. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$56,920

trending_down -8.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Texas.

engineering

71,880

Jobs (TX)

monitoring Surging

+9.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$108

Licensing fees

schedule

4 years

Time to complete

route How to become an electrician in Texas

To become a Journeyman Electrician in Texas, individuals must first register as an Electrical Apprentice with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) at 16 years old. They need to complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Master Electrician and pass a criminal background check. After meeting the experience requirements, applicants can take the Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam, administered by PSI, which costs $78 and requires a 70% passing score on both the NEC Knowledge and Calculations portions. Texas offers reciprocity for Journeyman Electricians with several states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,170

25th percentile $46,010

50th (median) $56,920

75th percentile $65,110

90th (experienced) $78,100

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Texas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Texas requirements

Licensing body	Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED.
Experience	8,000.0 hours
Exam	Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI) ($78)
Application fee	$30
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	4.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age for an electrical apprentice is 16 years old. Experience must be gained under the supervision of a Master Electrician. Applicants must pass a criminal background check. The Journeyman Electrician Exam is split into two portions: NEC Knowledge and Calculations. You must pass each portion with a score of at least 70%.

Source: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

workspace_premium Texas license tiers

Texas offers multiple tiers of electrician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journeyman	8,000
Master	12,000

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+9.5%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

81,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

818,700

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.78/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleTexas license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+9.5%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an electrician career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become an electrician in Texas? expand_more

In Texas, becoming an electrician requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED.), gain 8,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI), and submit your application ($30 fee).

Is an electrician license required in Texas? expand_more

A state license is required in Texas. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) handles electrician licensing — the Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam (PSI) is part of the process.

How much does an electrician make in Texas? expand_more

The median electrician salary in Texas is $56,920 per year. This trails the $62,350 national median by 9%. The range spans from $37,170 at the entry level to $78,100 for top earners.

How expensive is electrician licensing in Texas? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($78) and application fee ($30) and required training.

How many months or years does electrician certification take in Texas? expand_more

Expect to spend 4 years from start to finish in Texas — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

Does Texas require continuing education for electricians? expand_more

To keep your license active, Texas mandates 4.0 CE hours every 1.0 year.