Career Path

Electrician Career Path: Texas License Ladder and Skill Tree

Quick answer: In Texas you start as an Electrical Apprentice (no exam, $20). You become a Journeyman Electrician after 8,000 hours under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician and a two-part exam; you can sit the exam at 7,000 hours. After 2 years as a Journeyman and 12,000 hours under a Master Electrician, you can sit the Master exam. To run your own shop, the business gets an Electrical Contractor license with a Master of record and insurance; there is no contractor exam.

Last checked October 1, 2026 against TDLR and the PSI exam bulletin.

Region
Texas, United States
Language
English
Units
Metric
Other regions, languages and units

Texas is the first full career path. These are next. Until then, read the guide for your region.

The Texas license ladder

This is the trunk of the career path. Each step is a license issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The numbers below come from TDLR and the PSI exam bulletin.

  1. Step 1: Electrical Apprentice

    Your first Texas license. No experience and no exam. You work under a licensed electrician and start counting hours.

    Texas Electrical Apprentice requirements
    Experience neededNone
    ExamNone
    How to applyOnline application to TDLR, $20, non-refundable
    Temporary licenseIssued automatically if you apply online and report no criminal convictions
    Who supervises youA Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician or Residential Wireman (general supervision)
    RenewalEvery year
    Continuing education4 hours before each renewal, or enrollment in a TDLR-registered electrical apprenticeship training program

    Pay for this step (base pay)

    • Apprenticeship wage schedule: $18.34 to $34.64 an hour across the six apprentice periods (45% to 85% of the journeyman rate), IBEW Local 716 Houston inside agreement, effective 2026-08-31, base pay.

    Area: Houston, TX (IBEW 716 Zone A; Zone B is 90% except large industrial work). Base hourly wage rate, fringe benefits excluded. Wage steps of one apprenticeship program under its collective agreement in one area; each step is a percent of the journeyman rate.

    Other current Texas apprenticeship schedules

    • Apprenticeship wage schedule, Austin, TX (IBEW Local 520 / Austin Electrical JATC): $21.07 to $28.73 an hour, effective 2026-01-05, base pay.
    • Apprenticeship wage schedule, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction): $21.18 to $28.88 an hour, effective 2025-01-06, base pay.

    Reference only, Texas electrician helpers, whole occupation, all experience levels: $16.78 to $21.33 an hour ($34,900 to $44,360 a year), 10th percentile to median, base pay (May 2025).

    Apprentice pay is set by the apprenticeship program: a wage schedule that pays a percent of the journeyman rate for each period. The headline is the IBEW Local 716 Houston schedule; other current Texas schedules are listed with their own area and date. BLS has no apprentice category, so electrician helpers (47-3013) appear only as a labelled reference.

    Published first-year rates of Texas apprenticeship programs

    Source: IBEW Local 716 / Southeast Texas NECA Inside Agreement 2024-2027 (wage schedule p. 26), read October 3, 2026; Austin Electrical Training Alliance: Apprentice Program (wage table), read October 3, 2026; IBEW Local 520: IBEW Advantage (wage scale), read October 3, 2026; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, read October 3, 2026.

    Our guides

    Official sources

  2. Step 2: Journeyman Electrician

    The first exam on the ladder. Hours count only when a Texas-licensed Master Electrician supervised them.

    Texas Journeyman Electrician requirements
    Hours to sit the exam7,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician
    Hours to be licensed8,000 hours
    Proof of hoursAn Experience Verification Form signed by each supervising Master Electrician
    How to applyBy mail, $30, non-refundable
    Exam, part 1NEC Knowledge: 59 questions (3 unscored), 130 minutes, 70% to pass
    Exam, part 2Calculations: 26 questions (2 unscored), 110 minutes, 70% to pass
    Exam fee$78 for both parts. A retake of one or both parts is $78.
    Code edition2026 NEC
    RenewalEvery year, $30 online, after 4 hours of continuing education

    Pay for this step (base pay)

    • Union scale (contract minimum): $40.75 an hour, Journeyman, IBEW Local 716 Houston inside agreement (Zone A), effective 2026-08-31, base pay ($84,760 a year at 2,080 hours).

    Area: Houston, TX (IBEW 716 Zone A; Zone B is 90% except large industrial work). Base hourly wage rate, fringe benefits excluded. Union scale is the minimum base rate for work under this agreement in its area. Workers may be paid above scale; employers outside the agreement set their own pay.

    Other current Texas Journeyman records

    • Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, Bexar County, TX: $37.45 an hour, effective 2025-05-26, base pay.
    • Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, El Paso County, TX: $29.50 an hour, effective 2025-01-01, base pay.
    • Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, Harris County, TX: $38.50 an hour, effective 2025-09-01, base pay.
    • Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, Travis County, TX: $36.50 an hour, effective 2025-06-02, base pay.
    • Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, Williamson County, TX: $36.50 an hour, effective 2025-06-02, base pay.
    • Union scale (contract minimum), Austin, TX (IBEW Local 520 / Austin Electrical JATC): $38.30 an hour, effective 2026-01-05, base pay.
    • Union scale (contract minimum), Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction): $38.50 an hour, effective 2025-01-06, base pay.
    • Lowest to highest across these 8 current records: $29.50 to $40.75 an hour, base pay. Minimum rates and pay ranges from different documents and areas, not a distribution.

    Journeyman pay comes from records that name the Journeyman classification: union scales and Davis-Bacon electrician rates. The headline is the IBEW Local 716 Houston union scale. BLS percentiles for electricians (47-2111) cover every experience level, so they sit in the whole-occupation table on this page and not under this rung.

    Source: IBEW Local 716 / Southeast Texas NECA Inside Agreement 2024-2027 (wage schedule p. 26), read October 3, 2026; Davis-Bacon General Decision TX20260231 (Building), modification 1, read October 3, 2026; Davis-Bacon General Decision TX20260245 (Building), modification 1, read October 3, 2026; Davis-Bacon General Decision TX20260253 (Building), modification 1, read October 3, 2026; Davis-Bacon General Decision TX20260271 (Building), modification 1, read October 3, 2026; Davis-Bacon General Decision TX20260275 (Building), modification 1, read October 3, 2026; Austin Electrical Training Alliance: Apprentice Program (wage table), read October 3, 2026; IBEW Local 520: IBEW Advantage (wage scale), read October 3, 2026.

    Try 20 free Journeyman questions

    The full Texas Journeyman practice set has 1,002 questions and 10 full two-part mock exams.

    Our guides

    Official sources

  3. Step 3: Master Electrician

    Two more years and a harder two-part exam. A Master can be the Master Electrician of record for a contractor.

    Texas Master Electrician requirements
    Experience neededA Journeyman Electrician license held for at least 2 years, and 12,000 hours under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician
    Does not countJourneyman Industrial Electrician experience
    How to applyBy mail, $45, non-refundable
    Exam, part 1NEC Knowledge: 75 questions (5 unscored), 150 minutes, 70% to pass
    Exam, part 2Calculations: 33 questions (3 unscored), 170 minutes, 70% to pass
    Exam fee$78 for both parts. A retake of one or both parts is $78.
    RenewalEvery year, after 4 hours of continuing education

    Pay reference (May 2025, base pay)

    • Upper part of Texas electricians, whole occupation, all experience levels: $34.20 to $38.61 an hour ($71,130 to $80,300 a year), 75th to 90th percentile, base pay (May 2025). This is not a measured Master wage.

    BLS does not publish a Master Electrician category; Masters are counted with all electricians in 47-2111. The 75th to 90th percentile band is the upper part of that one group, shown as context for a Master, not as a measured Master wage.

    Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, read October 3, 2026.

    Our guides

    Official sources

  4. Step 4: Electrical Contractor

    A business license, not a person's exam. The business needs a Master Electrician of record, insurance and a TDLR contractor license.

    Texas Electrical Contractor requirements
    ExamNo contractor exam. The Master Electrician of record already passed the Master exam.
    Master Electrician of recordThe business must employ a licensed Master Electrician. The owner can be that Master.
    One Master, one contractorA Master can be assigned to only one contractor, unless the Master owns more than 50% of the business
    If the Master leavesTell TDLR and name a new Master of record within 30 business days
    Liability insuranceAt least $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate, and $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operations
    Workers' compensationProof of coverage, a certificate to self-insure, or a statement that you elect not to carry it (plus a notice filed with the Texas Department of Insurance)
    How to applyBy mail, $110, non-refundable, with a criminal history background check including fingerprints
    RenewalEvery year. The contractor license needs no continuing education; the licensed electricians still do.

    Pay reference

    No OEWS occupation matches an Electrical Contractor. The license belongs to a business, and OEWS does not survey the self-employed or owners and partners in unincorporated firms, so owner income is not in this data. Employees of a contracting business are counted in their own occupations.

    Source: BLS: OEWS Technical Notes, read October 3, 2026.

    Business skills for this step

    These are running-a-business skills, not exam topics. Links go to official agencies only. Nothing here is legal, insurance or tax advice.

    Our guides

    Official sources

Side branches: 7 other Texas electrician licenses

Besides the main ladder, TDLR issues limited licenses for one kind of work. Each one is its own branch: what it covers, the hours, the exam and how it connects to the main ladder.

TDLR and PSI pages read October 3, 2026.

Can an electrician make $100k in Texas?

Short answer: Some do, but it is above typical pay. In May 2025 the top 10% of Texas electricians earned more than $80,300 a year in base pay, and the median was $58,570. BLS leaves out overtime: at the 90th percentile rate of $38.61 an hour, about 6.5 hours a week at time and a half adds the remaining $19,700.

  • BLS wages are straight-time pay and leave out overtime, so the percentiles are base pay. $80,300 is $38.61 an hour times 2,080 hours.
  • Overtime math: under federal law (FLSA), covered workers who are not exempt get at least time and one-half for hours over 40 in a workweek. At the 90th percentile rate that is $57.91 an hour, so $19,700 more takes about 340 overtime hours a year (6.5 a week). At the median rate it takes about 981 hours (18.9 a week).
  • Metros: the top 10% earned more than $84,470 in Houston, the highest of the four big metros.
  • Master and contractor: BLS has one occupation for electricians and does not split it by license, and OEWS does not include the self-employed or owners and partners in unincorporated firms. So there is no official Texas pay figure for a Master Electrician or for the owner of an electrical contracting business.

Texas electricians, whole occupation, all experience levels

May 2025, base pay (OEWS straight-time wages, overtime excluded)
PercentileAn hourA year
10th percentile$18.23$37,920
25th percentile$22.44$46,670
Median$28.16$58,570
75th percentile$34.20$71,130
90th percentile$38.61$80,300

One distribution for every Texas electrician, from new hires to the most experienced, licensed at any level. Shown as its own block; it is not the pay of the Journeyman or any other rung.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, read October 3, 2026; BLS: OEWS Technical Notes, read October 3, 2026.

Texas electricians by metro, whole occupation, all experience levels, May 2025, base pay a year
AreaMedianTop 10% earned more than
Texas$58,570$80,300
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands$59,180$84,470
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington$59,010$81,660
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos$60,390$78,820
San Antonio-New Braunfels$57,010$75,670

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, read October 3, 2026; BLS: OEWS Technical Notes, read October 3, 2026; U.S. Department of Labor: Overtime Pay, read October 3, 2026.

Skill routes: 1 + 6

The branches. Everyone starts with Common Foundation. The six routes run side by side, so you can grow in more than one. Inside a route, skills stack: later steps need the earlier ones.

Texas Journeyman exam areas and the skills behind them

How the trunk meets the branches: each area of the Texas Journeyman exam, with its scored question count from the PSI bulletin, and the skills that prepare you for it.

NEC Knowledge

Exam areaQuestionsSkills
Definitions, Theory, and Plans3Finding and reading the electrical code (NEC and your jurisdiction's wiring rules)
Electricity in plain words 1: voltage and current through the water analogy
Ohm's law, resistance, series and parallel
Reading a single-line diagram
Electrical Services, Service Equipment, and Separately Derived Systems6Recognising the electrical panel
Local electrical code and inspection concepts
Finding and reading the electrical code (NEC and your jurisdiction's wiring rules)
Three lifesaving conductors: hot (live), neutral and ground (earth)
Transformers and substations
Electrical Feeders3Branch circuits and dedicated circuits
Matching wire size and overcurrent protection
Finding and reading the electrical code (NEC and your jurisdiction's wiring rules)
Panel schedule concepts
Branch Circuits and Conductors10Branch circuits and dedicated circuits
Matching wire size and overcurrent protection
Residual-current (GFCI/RCD) protection, grounding and bonding
Finding and reading the electrical code (NEC and your jurisdiction's wiring rules)
Electrical Wiring Methods and Electrical Materials10Recognising the electrical panel
Recognising electrical materials: cable, conduit, boxes, fittings
Finding and reading the electrical code (NEC and your jurisdiction's wiring rules)
Conduit and box fill calculations
Electrical Equipment and Devices10Outlets, switches and lighting concepts
Branch circuits and dedicated circuits
Finding and reading the electrical code (NEC and your jurisdiction's wiring rules)
Motors and Generators5Finding and reading the electrical code (NEC and your jurisdiction's wiring rules)
Motor principles and types
How generators work (AC and DC)
Outage preparedness and backup power
Electrical Control Devices and Disconnecting Means1Finding and reading the electrical code (NEC and your jurisdiction's wiring rules)
Control panel components: relays, contactors, protection devices
Lock-out/tag-out and machine safety
Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions6Residual-current (GFCI/RCD) protection, grounding and bonding
Finding and reading the electrical code (NEC and your jurisdiction's wiring rules)
Outage preparedness and backup power
Low-voltage systems overview: power, signal and network
Fire alarm and emergency voice systems
Data centre and smart building integration
Renewable Energy Technologies2Finding and reading the electrical code (NEC and your jurisdiction's wiring rules)
Solar PV system components
Electric vehicles and charging infrastructure

Calculations

Exam areaQuestionsSkills
Calculations and Theory2Ohm's law, resistance, series and parallel
Power, energy and the electricity bill (W, kWh)
Electrical Services, Service Equipment, and Separately Derived Systems4Three lifesaving conductors: hot (live), neutral and ground (earth)
Panel schedule concepts
Transformers and substations
Electrical Feeders3Matching wire size and overcurrent protection
Panel schedule concepts
Branch Circuit Calculations and Conductors4Branch circuits and dedicated circuits
Matching wire size and overcurrent protection
Electrical Wiring Methods and Electrical Materials2Recognising electrical materials: cable, conduit, boxes, fittings
Conduit and box fill calculations
Electrical Equipment and Devices2Branch circuits and dedicated circuits
Power, energy and the electricity bill (W, kWh)
Motors and Generators2Motor principles and types
Three-phase power and power factor for plant loads
Outage preparedness and backup power
Electrical Control Devices and Disconnecting Means1Control panel components: relays, contactors, protection devices
Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions3Branch circuits and dedicated circuits
Data centre and smart building integration
Renewable Energy Technologies1Solar PV system components
Electric vehicles and charging infrastructure

Source: PSI candidate information bulletin for TDLR electricians (Updated 9/15/2026; examinations referenced to the 2026 NEC effective September 1, 2026). Master exam areas are not mapped to skills yet.

Where this path leads

Jobs this route feeds into, from the U.S. Department of Labor O*NET and the European ESCO classification. Job titles and duties vary by employer and region.

Construction (16)
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers SupervisorO*NET OnLine
  • Electricians Skilled tradeO*NET OnLine
  • Helpers, Electricians HelperO*NET OnLine
  • Construction and Building Inspectors TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Skilled tradeO*NET OnLine
  • Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Skilled tradeO*NET OnLine
  • Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical engineering technician Technician

    Electrical engineering technicians work together with electrical engineers in electrical engineering research. They perform technical tasks and aid in the designing, testing, manufacturing and operation of electrical devices and facilities.

    ESCO
  • Electrical supervisor Supervisor

    Electrical supervisors monitor the operations involved in installing and servicing electricity cables and other electrical infrastructure. They assign tasks and take quick decisions to resolve problems.

    ESCO
  • Electrician Skilled trade

    Electricians fit and repair electrical circuits and wiring systems. They also install and maintain electrical equipment and machinery

    ESCO
  • Building electrician Skilled trade

    Building electricians install and maintain electricity cables and other electrical infrastructure in buildings. They make sure installed electrical equipment is isolated and presents no fire hazards

    ESCO
  • Domestic electrician Skilled trade

    Domestic electricians install and maintain electrical infrastructures and domestic machinery in homes and other residential buildings. They perform inspections and repair defective parts to ensure efficiency.

    ESCO
  • Industrial electrician Skilled trade

    Industrial electricians install and maintain electricity cables and other electrical infrastructure in large industrial and commercial buildings. They perform inspections and repair defective parts of electrical systems to ensure efficiency.

    ESCO
  • Event electrician Specialist

    Event electricians set up and dismantle temporary, reliable electrical systems to support events. They work in locations without access to the power grid as well as locations with temporary power access

    ESCO
  • Lift engineer Specialist

    Lift engineers set lifts into a prepared framed hoistway. They install support assembly, set up the lift pump or motor, piston or cable, and mechanism. Lift engineers connect the necessary electronic elements to complete the installation and connection of the lift cabin

    ESCO
Repair (11)
  • Electricians Skilled tradeO*NET OnLine
  • Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers Skilled tradeO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Skilled tradeO*NET OnLine
  • Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Skilled tradeO*NET OnLine
  • Wind Turbine Service Technicians SpecialistO*NET OnLine
  • Wind turbine technician Specialist

    Wind turbine technicians maintain and repair wind turbines by performing diagnostic inspections, analysing faults, and performing repair duties. They ensure the wind turbines operate in compliance with regulations, and assist the wind engineers in the construction of wind turbines

    ESCO
  • Automotive electrician Specialist

    Automotive electricians install, maintain and repair electrical and electronic systems in motor vehicles such as air conditioning systems, lamps, radios, heating systems, batteries, electrical wiring and alternators. They use diagnostic testing equipment to inspect vehicles and find faults

    ESCO
  • Electrical mechanic Skilled trade

    Electrical mechanics install, repair and maintain mechanical and electrical components of machinery, tools and equipment. They test electrical parts to ensure efficiency and make improvements accordingly.

    ESCO
  • Lift engineer Specialist

    Lift engineers set lifts into a prepared framed hoistway. They install support assembly, set up the lift pump or motor, piston or cable, and mechanism. Lift engineers connect the necessary electronic elements to complete the installation and connection of the lift cabin

    ESCO
Equipment (9)
  • Electronics Engineers, Except Computer ProfessionalO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers Skilled tradeO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical engineering technician Technician

    Electrical engineering technicians work together with electrical engineers in electrical engineering research. They perform technical tasks and aid in the designing, testing, manufacturing and operation of electrical devices and facilities.

    ESCO
  • Electromechanical engineering technician Technician

    Electromechanical engineering technicians collaborate with electromechanical engineers in the development of electromechanical equipment. Electromechanical engineering technicians are responsible for building, installing, testing, monitoring, and maintaining the electromechanical equipment, circuits and systems

    ESCO
  • Instrumentation engineering technician Technician

    Instrumentation engineering technicians assist instrumentation engineers in the development of control equipment, such as valves, relays, and regulators, which can be used to monitor and control processes. Instrumentation engineering technicians are responsible for building, testing, monitoring, and maintaining of equipment

    ESCO
  • Industrial electrician Skilled trade

    Industrial electricians install and maintain electricity cables and other electrical infrastructure in large industrial and commercial buildings. They perform inspections and repair defective parts of electrical systems to ensure efficiency.

    ESCO
  • Electrical mechanic Skilled trade

    Electrical mechanics install, repair and maintain mechanical and electrical components of machinery, tools and equipment. They test electrical parts to ensure efficiency and make improvements accordingly.

    ESCO
Systems (3)
  • Electronics Engineers, Except Computer ProfessionalO*NET OnLine
  • Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers Skilled tradeO*NET OnLine
  • Instrumentation engineering technician Technician

    Instrumentation engineering technicians assist instrumentation engineers in the development of control equipment, such as valves, relays, and regulators, which can be used to monitor and control processes. Instrumentation engineering technicians are responsible for building, testing, monitoring, and maintaining of equipment

    ESCO
Energy (20)
  • Electrical Engineers ProfessionalO*NET OnLine
  • Solar Photovoltaic Installers Entry levelO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Skilled tradeO*NET OnLine
  • Wind Turbine Service Technicians SpecialistO*NET OnLine
  • Power Distributors and Dispatchers TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Power Plant Operators TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical engineer Professional

    Electrical engineers design and develop electrical systems, electrical equipment, components, motors, and equipment with the feature of energy transmission. They engage in large scale projects such as the design and maintenance of power stations, and the distribution of power to smaller applications such as household appliances.

    ESCO
  • Electric power generation engineer Professional

    Electric power generation engineers design and develop systems which generate electrical power, and develop strategies for the improvement of existing electricity generation systems. They strive to conciliate sustainable solutions with efficient and affordable solutions

    ESCO
  • Substation engineer Professional

    Substation engineers design medium and high voltage substations used for the transmission, distribution, and generation of electrical energy. They develop methods for the efficient operation of the energy process, and ensure compliance to safety and environmental standards.

    ESCO
  • Energy assessor Technician

    Energy assessors determine the energy performance of buildings. They produce an energy rating or certificate that indicates the estimated energy consumption of a property.

    ESCO
  • Energy conservation officer Technician

    Energy conservation officers promote the conservation of energy in both residential homes as in businesses. They advise people on ways to reduce their power consumption by enforcing energy efficiency improvements and implementing energy demand management policies.

    ESCO
  • Power lines supervisor Supervisor

    Power lines supervisors monitor the construction and maintenance of power lines and associated equipment. They assign tasks and take quick decisions to resolve problems.

    ESCO
  • Power production plant operator Technician

    Power production plant operators maintain and operate the equipment in power stations and other energy production plants. They repair faults, operate machinery directly or from a control room, and handle materials related to electricity production in compliance with safety and environmental procedures

    ESCO
  • Electrical transmission system operator Technician

    Electrical transmission system operators transport energy in the form of electrical power. They transmit electrical power from generation plants over an interconnected network, an electrical grid, to electricity distribution stations.

    ESCO
  • Solar power plant operator Technician

    Solar power plant operators operate and maintain equipment which produce electrical energy from solar power. They monitor measuring equipment to ensure the safety of operations, and that the production needs are met

    ESCO
  • Solar energy technician Specialist

    Solar energy technicians install and maintain systems that collect solar energy. They prepare the necessary fixtures, often on roofs, install solar panels, and plug them into an electronic system including an inverter to connect the solar energy systems to the electricity lines.

    ESCO
  • Wind turbine technician Specialist

    Wind turbine technicians maintain and repair wind turbines by performing diagnostic inspections, analysing faults, and performing repair duties. They ensure the wind turbines operate in compliance with regulations, and assist the wind engineers in the construction of wind turbines

    ESCO
  • Electricity distribution worker Skilled trade

    Electricity distribution workers construct and maintain electric power transmission and distribution systems. They maintain and repair powerlines, compliant with safety regulations.

    ESCO
Management (9)
  • Construction Managers SupervisorO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical Engineers ProfessionalO*NET OnLine
  • First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers SupervisorO*NET OnLine
  • Construction and Building Inspectors TechnicianO*NET OnLine
  • Electrical engineer Professional

    Electrical engineers design and develop electrical systems, electrical equipment, components, motors, and equipment with the feature of energy transmission. They engage in large scale projects such as the design and maintenance of power stations, and the distribution of power to smaller applications such as household appliances.

    ESCO
  • Energy assessor Technician

    Energy assessors determine the energy performance of buildings. They produce an energy rating or certificate that indicates the estimated energy consumption of a property.

    ESCO
  • Energy conservation officer Technician

    Energy conservation officers promote the conservation of energy in both residential homes as in businesses. They advise people on ways to reduce their power consumption by enforcing energy efficiency improvements and implementing energy demand management policies.

    ESCO
  • Electrical supervisor Supervisor

    Electrical supervisors monitor the operations involved in installing and servicing electricity cables and other electrical infrastructure. They assign tasks and take quick decisions to resolve problems.

    ESCO
  • Power lines supervisor Supervisor

    Power lines supervisors monitor the construction and maintenance of power lines and associated equipment. They assign tasks and take quick decisions to resolve problems.

    ESCO

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

FAQ

How many hours do you need to take the Texas Journeyman electrician exam?

7,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Master Electrician licensed in Texas. That lets you apply and take the Journeyman exam early, but TDLR issues the Journeyman Electrician license only after the full 8,000 hours.

Source: TDLR: Apply for a New Journeyman Electrician License, read October 3, 2026.

How many hours do you need for a Texas Journeyman electrician license?

8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician, documented on an Experience Verification Form signed by each Master who supervised you. You can sit the exam at 7,000 hours; the license needs all 8,000.

Source: TDLR: Apply for a New Journeyman Electrician License, read October 3, 2026.

How long is the Texas Journeyman Electrician exam?

Two parts on the 2026 NEC: NEC Knowledge has 59 questions in 130 minutes and Calculations has 26 questions in 110 minutes. You need 70% on each part.

Source: PSI candidate information bulletin for TDLR electricians (updated September 15, 2026), read October 1, 2026.

What are the requirements for a Texas Master Electrician license?

Two things, both required: 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Master Electrician licensed in Texas, and a Journeyman Electrician license held for at least two years. Experience as a Journeyman Industrial Electrician does not count toward Master.

Source: TDLR: Apply for a New Master Electrician License, read October 3, 2026.

How long do you have to pass the Texas electrician exam after you apply?

One year. TDLR gives you one year from the date it receives your application to meet every requirement for the license, including passing the exam. You need 70% to pass and can retake as many times as needed inside that year.

Source: TDLR: Electrician Exam Information, read October 3, 2026.

Is there an exam for the Texas Electrical Contractor license?

No. The contractor license is a business license. The business needs a licensed Master Electrician of record, liability insurance, a workers' compensation filing and a $110 application.

Source: TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Contractor License, read October 1, 2026.

Who issues Texas electrician licenses?

TDLR issues every Texas electrician license. Use this page to plan each step and track your hours toward the next one.

Source: TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Apprentice License, read October 1, 2026; TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Contractor License, read October 1, 2026; TDLR: Apply for a New Journeyman Electrician License, read October 1, 2026; TDLR: Apply for a New Master Electrician License, read October 1, 2026.

Can an electrician make $100k in Texas?

Some do, but it is above typical pay. In May 2025 the top 10% of Texas electricians earned more than $80,300 a year in base pay, and the median was $58,570. BLS leaves out overtime: at the 90th percentile rate of $38.61 an hour, about 6.5 hours a week at time and a half adds the remaining $19,700.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, read October 3, 2026; BLS: OEWS Technical Notes, read October 3, 2026; U.S. Department of Labor: Overtime Pay, read October 3, 2026.

How much do electricians make in Texas?

In May 2025, Texas electricians earned a median base pay of $28.16 an hour, or $58,570 a year, according to BLS. The middle half earned between $46,670 and $71,130 a year in base pay, and the top 10% earned more than $80,300 in base pay. Overtime is not included in these figures.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, read October 3, 2026.

Do electricians make more in Houston, Dallas, Austin or San Antonio?

The median base pay is close across the four metros: $60,390 in Austin, $59,180 in Houston, $59,010 in Dallas-Fort Worth and $57,010 in San Antonio (May 2025). The top 10% in Houston earned more than $84,470 in base pay, the highest of the four.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, read October 3, 2026.

Are electricians in demand in Texas?

Texas projects electrician jobs to grow 14.4% from 2024 to 2034, from 76,440 to 87,460, with about 8,100 openings a year.

Source: Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections 2024 to 2034 (Projections Central), read October 3, 2026.

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