Electrical Apprentice
B1-01B1 B2 B3 Construction electrical · Start level · O*NET 47-2111.00
Data: Electricians (47-2111), the occupation apprentices are counted in (SOC rule 7). O*NET lists the Electrical Apprentice title under Helpers--Electricians (47-3013.00), a different group of workers; it is not used for numbers.
- this level, from
Houston apprenticeship scale (IBEW 716), 2026 - $18.34/h
- work over
40 h a week - 35%
- load index
from O*NET data - 4.1/5
- Texas jobs
2024 to 2034 - +14.4%
Pay
This level's pay (published records that name this rung)
Apprenticeship wage schedule Houston apprenticeship scale (IBEW 716), 2026
$18.34-$34.64/h across the apprenticeship (45-85% of the journeyman rate), Houston, TX, effective 2026-08-31 Source
About $38,147 a year at 2,080 h (40 h x 52 weeks, no overtime).
Wage steps published by the apprenticeship program or its collective agreement; base pay, benefits excluded.
$18.34-$34.64/h, lowest to highest figure in 3 current record(s) from 3 document(s). Minimum rates and pay ranges from different documents and areas; not a distribution.
Whole occupation: all Electricians, Texas BLS OEWS May 2025
- Series OEUS480000000000047211113 (median), Texas, May 2025, read 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Base pay (straight-time, excludes overtime).
- Based on an estimated 76,770 jobs in Texas (series OEUS480000000000047211101).
BLS OEWS May 2025
- Series OEUS480000000000047211113 (median), Texas, May 2025, read 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Base pay (straight-time, excludes overtime).
- Based on an estimated 76,770 jobs in Texas (series OEUS480000000000047211101).
All Electricians (47-2111) at every experience level, the occupation apprentices are counted in (SOC Classification Principle 7). Mostly journeyman-level workers, so it is not apprentice pay and is never subtracted. Pay differences against this figure are not shown.
Outlook 2024 to 2034, all Electricians, not level-specific TWC, BLS
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
TWC, BLS
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
- Texas
- +14.4% jobs · about 8,100 openings a year (76,440 jobs in 2024)
- United States
- +9.5% jobs · about 81,000 openings a year (818,700 jobs in 2024)
Openings include people retiring or changing jobs, not only growth.
Hours O*NET 31.0
- Duration of Typical Work Week (4.C.3.d.8), O*NET Work Context, data 08/2022, n = 18 respondents, O*NET OnLine
O*NET 31.0
- Duration of Typical Work Week (4.C.3.d.8), O*NET Work Context, data 08/2022, n = 18 respondents, O*NET OnLine
Schedule: regular 67% · irregular 33% · seasonal 0%
Striped: O*NET marks the estimate "Recommend suppress" (low precision).
Physical load 4.1 of 5, our index from O*NET Method
- Engineer Tsai index (et_physical_v1): mean of a body index (4.21, 6 measures) and an exposure index (4.03, 7 measures), built from O*NET Work Context means, 1 to 5: Spend Time Standing; Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles; Spend Time Walking or Running; Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling; Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance; Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body; Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions; Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures; Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions; Exposed to High Places; Exposed to Hazardous Conditions; Exposed to Hazardous Equipment; Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection.
- O*NET OnLine
Method
- Engineer Tsai index (et_physical_v1): mean of a body index (4.21, 6 measures) and an exposure index (4.03, 7 measures), built from O*NET Work Context means, 1 to 5: Spend Time Standing; Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles; Spend Time Walking or Running; Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling; Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance; Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body; Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions; Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures; Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions; Exposed to High Places; Exposed to Hazardous Conditions; Exposed to Hazardous Equipment; Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection.
- O*NET OnLine
Body
- Bending or twisting4.68
- Standing4.55
- Walking or running4.23
- Climbing ladders4.2
- Keeping balance3.85
- Kneeling or crawling3.75
Exposure
- Hazardous conditions4.59
- Cramped space4.4
- Very hot or cold4.17
- Outdoors, all weather4.13
- Hazardous equipment4.04
- High places3.69
- Protective gear3.22
Getting in
- License
- Electrical Apprentice (TDLR): No experience and no exam. Online application to TDLR, $20. Works under a Master, Journeyman or Residential Wireman.
TDLR
- TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Apprentice License, read 2026-10-01
- Degree
- 1% hold a bachelor's or higher; most common: Post-Secondary Certificate
- Experience
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year of related experience is the most common answer (28% of workers).
O*NET
- O*NET Related Work Experience, Electricians, O*NET OnLine
- Preparation
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Why this level
- Start: Title contains 'Apprentice' (apprentice/helper/trainee level in O*NET and DOL apprenticeship titles). Texas: Electrical Apprentice (TDLR) (No experience and no exam). Rung 1 of 6 on 'Construction electrical'.
Next stop B1 Journeyman Electrician +$22.41/h Houston union minimum (IBEW 716), from a first-period apprentice
Gates: Texas: Journeyman Electrician license (TDLR): 8,000 hours under a Texas Master Electrician (exam allowed at 7,000) and a TDLR exam. Texas: 8,000 hours of on-the-job training for the license (On-the-job training under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician).
Next stop B3 Residential Wireman
Gates: Texas: Residential Wireman license (TDLR): 4,000 hours or an approved CTE program, plus an exam. Homes and apartments up to four stories only.
Next stop B2 Journeyman Electrician +$22.41/h Houston union minimum (IBEW 716), from a first-period apprentice
Gates: Texas: Journeyman Electrician license (TDLR): 8,000 hours under a Texas Master Electrician (exam allowed at 7,000) and a TDLR exam. Texas: 8,000 hours of on-the-job training for the license (On-the-job training under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician).
Moves to the side 7
- R1 Maintenance Helper O*NET lists Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.89. License: depends on the work.
- B Plumber Helper O*NET lists Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.86. License gate: Plumber's Apprentice registration (TSBPE).
- R Millwright O*NET lists Millwrights as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.80.
- E1 Lineworker (Power Line) O*NET lists Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers as a related occupation (Primary-Long); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.80. License gate: Journeyman Lineman (TDLR).
