Electrician Helper
I2-01Your next step in Texas
Houston JATC uses an aptitude test, then ranks interviewed applicants by interview score. Sources
Plan your first helper application
- Find a Texas helper opening and ask for its duties, supervisor, required tools and written starting-pay offer.
- Check the current requirements and application steps on the TDLR apprentice application page before accepting electrical duties.
- Ask the employer how your apprentice license, supervised work and experience records will be handled. Keep copies of the confirmations.
Choose your current job on the career map, then save Electrician Helper as your goal to see the skills to build from that starting point and your next step.
Entry guides
- Starting an electrical career with no experience
- From maintenance helper to Texas electrician
- From plumber helper to Texas electrician
Compare these entry options with your own experience and goals.
Start with your experience. Build electrical helper skills.
A direct preparation path for Texas: 43 existing lessons, practice with worked answers and five new cases for common decisions. Begin without having to pass through another occupation on the graph.
Your starting point
Cashier, warehouse, hospitality, maintenance or another background: identify two true transferable examples—attendance, counts, measurements or communication—and two electrical tasks that still need training. Do not invent hours or credentials. The common preparation path is the same; actual employer and licensing requirements are checked separately.
Confirm your license and supervision: TDLR describes apprentice electrical work under the general supervision of a Master Electrician, Journeyman Electrician or Residential Wireman. Verify license status and task-specific exemptions; an application receipt is not proof of issuance. Check TDLR
43 lessons, organized by skill
Try the full fractions lesson M01 free. The remaining lessons retain their ET Member access. All 43 lessons are available in English and Spanish, including examples, worked answers and changed cases. Existing free and ET Member access is retained.
Entry and records · 3
- H01 · Separate the role, license and job offerET Member · English
- H02 · Turn your experience into a truthful helper applicationET Member · English
- H03 · Reconcile a personal hours recordET Member · English
Safety decisions · 9
- S01 · Recognize an electrical stop conditionET Member · English
- S02 · Check PPE responsibility and suitabilityET Member · English
- S03 · Understand isolation and lockout awarenessET Member · English
- S04 · Flag unsafe access and ladder assumptionsET Member · English
- S05 · Ask for a first-week heat planET Member · English
- S06 · Identify dust, noise and chemical questionsET Member · English
- S07 · Plan a material-movement questionET Member · English
- S08 · Describe housekeeping and storage risksET Member · English
- S09 · Locate emergency reporting informationET Member · English
Trade mathematics · 4
- M01 · Read fractions on a rulerFull free lesson · English
- M02 · Convert lengths without mixing unitsET Member · English
- M03 · Rearrange an equation and check itET Member · English
- M04 · Separate length, area and volumeET Member · English
Electrical concepts · 9
- F01 · Keep voltage, current and resistance distinctET Member · English
- F02 · Use Ohm's law on a paper modelET Member · English
- F03 · Separate power from energyET Member · English
- F04 · Compare series and parallel resistanceET Member · English
- F05 · Read an AC and split-phase descriptionET Member · English
- F06 · Explain grounding and bonding conceptuallyET Member · English
- F07 · Distinguish overload, short circuit and ground-fault protectionET Member · English
- F08 · Separate motor power, control and protection rolesET Member · English
- F09 · Keep a traceable code-lookup trailET Member · English
Drawings and planning · 5
- D01 · Use the supplied legend and trace tagsET Member · English
- D02 · Control drawing revisions and conflictsET Member · English
- D03 · Interpret dimensions and scaleET Member · English
- D04 · Create a checked material takeoffET Member · English
- D05 · Read a rough-in, inspection and trim planET Member · English
Tools and materials · 9
- T01 · Recognize common hand-tool functionsET Member · English
- T02 · Report a damaged power toolET Member · English
- T03 · Distinguish raceways and support informationET Member · English
- T04 · Tell a coupling, connector and box apartET Member · English
- T05 · Read conductor markings without assuming suitabilityET Member · English
- T06 · Read supplied meter values and their limitsET Member · English
- T07 · Compare a bend-plan calculation on paperET Member · English
- T08 · Rehearse pull-crew communicationET Member · English
- T09 · Separate a quality observation from repairET Member · English
Communication and review · 4
- C01 · Repeat back the assignment and its boundaryET Member · English
- C02 · Write a handoff another person can useET Member · English
- C03 · Turn feedback into a changed attemptET Member · English
- C04 · Assemble your helper-entry and first-week recordET Member · English
Five additional practices: learn, respond and check
Paper cases that extend the existing route: SDS, heat emergencies, sample counts, conflicting job requirements and suspended loads. No equipment operation is assigned.
Study prepares your decisions. Your employer or provider teaches and assesses physical tasks. Study checklists/scores and practice files do not establish a license, OJT hours, OSHA/NCCER credential or field competence.
This browser keeps answers, notes and review status when storage is available. Export/import the file to move to another device. This is separate from your account record; do not enter personal or employer information.
Download editable JSON Download text
Copy prepared file
G01 · Read a chemical label and find the SDS
Builds on existing lesson S06
Learn
The container identifier must match the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). In the standard SDS format, section 2 identifies hazards, section 4 covers first aid and section 8 covers exposure controls/PPE. A missing label or unknown product means ask before use. Never mix chemicals to identify them. The employer supplies product-specific HazCom training and accessible SDS information.
Fictional paper case
Paper example: label says Cleaner A, but the available SDS says Cleaner B. Record the mismatch and where to look for hazard/PPE information after obtaining the correct SDS.
Compare with the worked answer
Do not use the unidentified product. Ask for Cleaner A’s matching SDS and training. Read section 2 for hazards and section 8 for controls/PPE; use section 4 for first-aid guidance under the emergency plan.
- Check facts and units against the guide.
- Keep pending facts and authorizations explicit.
- Employer verifies access to actual SDS and product-specific training before use.
Field: PENDING. Employer verifies access to actual SDS and product-specific training before use.
G02 · Recognize heat illness and emergency signs
Builds on existing lesson S05
Learn
New workers need an employer heat/acclimatization plan, water, rest, cooling and a way to report symptoms. Confusion, slurred speech or unconsciousness in heat can signal heat stroke: call 911 immediately and activate the emergency plan. Begin cooling safely while help comes; do not leave the person alone. Sweating does not rule out heat stroke. Never wait for a temperature reading or dry skin.
Fictional paper case
A fictional new worker is confused in the heat but still sweating. State the urgent action and two prevention questions for tomorrow.
Compare with the worked answer
Call 911 and activate emergency help/cooling; stay with the worker without entering danger. For prevention ask about gradual acclimatization and water/rest/cooling arrangements. Do not treat confusion as a routine water break.
- Check facts and units against the guide.
- Keep pending facts and authorizations explicit.
- Employer practices its heat emergency communication and individual acclimatization plan.
Field: PENDING. Employer practices its heat emergency communication and individual acclimatization plan.
G03 · Count materials and reconcile uncertainty
Builds on existing lesson D04
Learn
A useful count sheet separates drawing quantity, counted quantity, unit and discrepancy. A sampled carton tells you only about that carton; do not project an exact shortage across uncounted cartons. Keep an unknown as unknown until counted. A practice quantity is not a purchase order or material design.
Fictional paper case
Room 104 contains 6 type-A fixtures and 5 receptacle symbols. Separately, four cartons are labeled 60 pieces each; only carton 1 is counted and holds 58. Reconcile both examples.
Existing fictional Room 104 drawing
Compare with the worked answer
Drawing count: 6 fixtures; 5 receptacles (3 duplex plus 2 GFCI). Expected carton total by labels: 240. Verified carton-1 shortage: 2. Actual total and other cartons’ shortages remain unknown until counted.
- Check facts and units against the guide.
- Keep pending facts and authorizations explicit.
- Supervisor checks actual count and authorizes order adjustments.
Field: PENDING. Supervisor checks actual count and authorizes order adjustments.
G04 · Compare openings and verify requirements
Builds on existing lesson H02
Learn
Separate an employer job, a registered apprenticeship and a school course. They have different applications, costs, selection and work arrangements. Read the actual employer posting and form: “preferred” is different from “required,” and forms can contain conflicting requirements. Save source/date, location, license, experience, schedule, cost/pay questions and next action. Do not submit an application in this exercise.
Fictional paper case
Fictional posting says “experience preferred,” while its form asks for three years. Write an application tracker row that does not assume eligibility or rejection.
Compare with the worked answer
Source/date and location recorded; experience requirement CONFLICTING/PENDING; ask employer which criterion applies before submitting; status research only; next action clarification, not accepted/rejected. Never change your experience answer to fit the form.
- Check facts and units against the guide.
- Keep pending facts and authorizations explicit.
- Employer/program confirms actual eligibility, selection and offer terms.
Field: PENDING. Employer/program confirms actual eligibility, selection and offer terms.
G05 · Stay clear of suspended loads and unfamiliar equipment
Builds on existing lesson S07
Learn
Recognize suspended loads, moving equipment, restricted areas and line-of-fire hazards. Stay clear and ask the designated operator/signal person about the exclusion area and safe route. Do not rig, select sling capacity, give operational signals, drive equipment or stand under a load based on this lesson. Those duties require separate employer authorization, qualification and task assessment.
Fictional paper case
A suspended bundle blocks the shortcut to your staging area. Write the safe route decision and who to ask.
Compare with the worked answer
Do not pass beneath or enter the restricted zone. Ask the supervisor/designated operator or signal person for an approved clear route and wait outside the exclusion area. Do not move or rerig the load yourself.
- Check facts and units against the guide.
- Keep pending facts and authorizations explicit.
- Employer separately assesses any rigging, signaling or equipment role.
Field: PENDING. Employer separately assesses any rigging, signaling or equipment role.
This planner is for a later Journeyman Electrician goal. For your first helper application, use the three steps above.
Plan ahead: Journeyman hours
Enter your pace to see your 7,000-hour exam date and 8,000-hour license date.
- 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
- Tsai Electro 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
- Tsai Electro 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.
Sources and classification
I2 Industrial electrical and instrumentation · Start level · O*NET 47-3013.00
- Houston JATC selection FAQ: qualifying aptitude scores lead to interviews; interview scores determine rank. The FAQ also describes about ten applicants per position, which varies.
