Electrician Helper
I2-01I2 Industrial electrical and instrumentation · Start level · O*NET 47-3013.00
- this level, from
Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025 - $16.94/h
- work over
40 h a week - 2%
- load index
from O*NET data - 3.7/5
- Texas jobs
2024 to 2034 - +3.8%
Pay
This level's pay (published records that name this rung)
Union scale (contract minimum) Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025
$16.94/h, Construction Electrician Level 1, Austin, TX, effective 2025-01-06 Source
About $35,235 a year at 2,080 h (40 h x 52 weeks, no overtime).
Minimum base rate under one collective agreement in one area; not a market median, non-union employers are not bound by it.
$13.01-$32.73/h, lowest to highest figure in 11 current record(s) from 2 document(s). Minimum rates and pay ranges from different documents and areas; not a distribution.
All pay records and context (12)
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025: $16.94/h, Construction Electrician Level 1, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025: $16.94/h, Construction Electrician Level 2, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025: $18.87/h, Construction Electrician Level 3, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025: $20.79/h, Construction Electrician Level 4, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025: $22.72/h, Construction Electrician Level 5, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025: $24.64/h, Construction Electrician Level 6, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025: $26.18/h, Construction Electrician Level 7, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025: $28.11/h, Construction Electrician Level 8, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025: $30.03/h, Construction Electrician Level 9, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2025: $32.73/h, Construction Electrician Level 10, Austin, TX (IBEW 520 jurisdiction), effective 2025-01-06 source
- San Antonio union minimum (IBEW 60), 2025: $16.85/h, CW-1, 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
- San Antonio union minimum (IBEW 60), 2025: $18.73/h, CW-2, 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 Helpers--Electricians, Texas BLS OEWS May 2025
- Series OEUS480000000000047301313 (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 7,320 jobs in Texas (series OEUS480000000000047301301).
BLS OEWS May 2025
- Series OEUS480000000000047301313 (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 7,320 jobs in Texas (series OEUS480000000000047301301).
Outlook 2024 to 2034, all Helpers--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
- +3.8% jobs · about 880 openings a year (8,220 jobs in 2024)
- United States
- +0.2% jobs · about 6,800 openings a year (66,600 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 08/2023, n = 24 respondents, O*NET OnLine
O*NET 31.0
- Duration of Typical Work Week (4.C.3.d.8), O*NET Work Context, data 08/2023, n = 24 respondents, O*NET OnLine
Schedule: regular 80% · irregular 20% · seasonal 0%
Physical load 3.7 of 5, our index from O*NET Method
- Engineer Tsai index (et_physical_v1): mean of a body index (3.75, 6 measures) and an exposure index (3.64, 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 (3.75, 6 measures) and an exposure index (3.64, 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
- Standing4.62
- Walking or running3.95
- Climbing ladders3.86
- Kneeling or crawling3.79
- Bending or twisting3.45
- Keeping balance2.83
Exposure
- Cramped space4.25
- Hazardous equipment3.99
- Outdoors, all weather3.95
- Hazardous conditions3.7
- Very hot or cold3.45
- High places3.37
- Protective gear2.76
Getting in
- License
- Texas: a helper who does electrical work needs the TDLR Electrical Apprentice license first; there is no grace period. No experience or exam, $20.
- Degree
- 1% hold a bachelor's or higher; most common: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Experience
- None of related experience is the most common answer (25% of workers).
O*NET
- O*NET Related Work Experience, Helpers--Electricians, O*NET OnLine
- Preparation
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Why this level
- Start: Title contains 'Helper' (apprentice/helper/trainee level in O*NET and DOL apprenticeship titles). Texas: Electrical Apprentice (TDLR) (Required before performing electrical work, with no grace period). Rung 1 of 4 on 'Industrial electrical and instrumentation'.
Next stop I2 Industrial Electrician +$14,210 a year, Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels
Gates checked: TDLR Journeyman Industrial Electrician license, unless employed by the plant itself (1305.003(a)(14)).
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 (same lateral rule, started from this rung; target is the related occupation's role nearest this rung's level band). 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 (same lateral rule, started from this rung; target is the related occupation's role nearest this rung's level band). 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 (same lateral rule, started from this rung; target is the related occupation's role nearest this rung's level band).
- 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 (same lateral rule, started from this rung; target is the related occupation's role nearest this rung's level band). License gate: Journeyman Lineman (TDLR).
What the work is 6 core tasks
Help electricians by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
- Strip insulation from wire ends, using wire stripping pliers, and attach wires to terminals for subsequent soldering.
- Trace out short circuits in wiring, using test meter.
- Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
- Examine electrical units for loose connections and broken insulation and tighten connections, using hand tools.
- Maintain tools, vehicles, and equipment and keep parts and supplies in order.
- Drill holes and pull or push wiring through openings, using hand and power tools.
Core tasks ranked by O*NET task Importance (IM, 1-5), top 6.
Top skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Quality Control Analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Active Learning
Sources (5)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, Texas, series OEUS480000000000047301313, read 2026-10-03
- Union scale (contract minimum): IBEW Local 520: IBEW Advantage (wage scale), 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), 47-3013.00 Helpers--Electricians, read 2026-10-03
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.
