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.
All pay records and context (4)
- Austin apprenticeship scale (IBEW 520), 2026: $21.07 to $28.73/h, Apprentice periods 1-6, Austin, TX (IBEW Local 520 / Austin Electrical JATC), effective 2026-01-05 source
- Houston apprenticeship scale (IBEW 716), 2026: $18.34 to $34.64/h, Apprentice periods as published, Houston, TX (IBEW 716 Zone A; Zone B is 90% except large industrial work), effective 2026-08-31 source
- Austin apprenticeship scale (IBEW 520), 2025: $21.18 to $28.88/h, Apprentice periods as published, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- San Antonio apprenticeship scale (IBEW 60), 2025: $19.10 to $33.71/h, Apprentice periods as published, San Antonio, TX (IBEW 60 jurisdiction), effective 2025-05-26 older: The schedule's stated period ended 2026-05-31, before the read date 2026-10-03; it was still the latest sheet the union posted. current_on_read_date shows its last rate, which may since have been replaced. source
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).
What the work is 6 core tasks
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
- Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
- Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
- Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
- Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
- Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
- Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
Core tasks ranked by O*NET task Importance (IM, 1-5), top 6.
Top skills
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Installation
- Judgment and Decision Making
Sources (6)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, Texas, series OEUS480000000000047211113, read 2026-10-03
- Apprenticeship wage schedule: IBEW Local 716 / Southeast Texas NECA Inside Agreement 2024-2027 (wage schedule p. 26), read 2026-10-03
- 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
- O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), 47-2111.00 Electricians, read 2026-10-03
- TDLR: Apply for a New Electrical Apprentice License, read 2026-10-01
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database 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. Engineer Tsai has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 · O*NET license
Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Base pay; excludes overtime. Outlook: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (United States) and Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections 2024-2034, read through Projections Central.
