Journeyman Electrician
B1-02B1 B2 M1 M5 Construction electrical · Skilled level · O*NET 47-2111.00
- this level, from
Houston union minimum (IBEW 716), 2026 - $40.75/h
- work over
40 h a week - 35%
- load index
from O*NET data - 4.1/5
- on the job
to license - 8,000 h
Pay
This level's pay (published records that name this rung)
Union scale (contract minimum) Houston union minimum (IBEW 716), 2026
$40.75/h, Journeyman, Houston, TX, effective 2026-08-31 Source
About $84,760 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.
$29.50-$40.75/h, lowest to highest figure in 8 current record(s) from 8 document(s). Minimum rates and pay ranges from different documents and areas; not a distribution.
All pay records and context (13)
- Bexar County Davis-Bacon minimum, 2025: $37.45/h, ELECTRICIAN (EXCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING), Bexar County, TX, effective 2025-05-26 source
- Collin County Davis-Bacon minimum, 2014: $20.01/h, ELECTRICIAN, EXCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND INSTALLATION OF ALARMS/SOUND AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Collin County, TX, effective 2014-07-21 older: Survey rate effective 2014-07-21 (Davis-Bacon 'SU' rate); still the legal minimum on the WD, but old. source
- Dallas County Davis-Bacon minimum, 2014: $21.51/h, ELECTRICIAN, EXCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND INSTALLATION OF ALARMS/SOUND AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Dallas County, TX, effective 2014-07-21 older: Survey rate effective 2014-07-21 (Davis-Bacon 'SU' rate); still the legal minimum on the WD, but old. source
- Denton County Davis-Bacon minimum, 2014: $18.82/h, ELECTRICIAN, EXCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND INSTALLATION OF ALARMS/SOUND AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Denton County, TX, effective 2014-07-21 older: Survey rate effective 2014-07-21 (Davis-Bacon 'SU' rate); still the legal minimum on the WD, but old. source
- El Paso County Davis-Bacon minimum, 2025: $29.50/h, ELECTRICIAN (EXCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND INSTALLATION OF ALARMS/HVAC TEMPERATURE CONTROLS), El Paso County, TX, effective 2025-01-01 source
- Grayson County Davis-Bacon minimum, 2014: $20.59/h, ELECTRICIAN, Grayson County, TX, effective 2014-07-21 older: Survey rate effective 2014-07-21 (Davis-Bacon 'SU' rate); still the legal minimum on the WD, but old. source
- Harris County Davis-Bacon minimum, 2025: $38.50/h, ELECTRICIAN (EXCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND INSTALLATION OF ALARMS), Harris County, TX, effective 2025-09-01 source
- Tarrant County Davis-Bacon minimum, 2014: $20.59/h, ELECTRICIAN, EXCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING AND INSTALLATION OF ALARMS/SOUND AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Tarrant County, TX, effective 2014-07-21 older: Survey rate effective 2014-07-21 (Davis-Bacon 'SU' rate); still the legal minimum on the WD, but old. source
- Travis County Davis-Bacon minimum, 2025: $36.50/h, ELECTRICIAN (EXCLUDES INSTALLATION OF SOUND AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS), Travis County, TX, effective 2025-06-02 source
- Williamson County Davis-Bacon minimum, 2025: $36.50/h, ELECTRICIAN (EXCLUDES LOW VOLTAGE WIRING), Williamson County, TX, effective 2025-06-02 source
- Austin union minimum (IBEW 520), 2026: $38.30/h, Journeyman rate the apprentice schedule is based on, Austin, TX (IBEW Local 520 / Austin Electrical JATC), effective 2026-01-05 source
- Houston union minimum (IBEW 716), 2026: $40.75/h, Journeyman, Houston, TX (IBEW 716 Zone A; Zone B is 90% except large industrial work), effective 2026-08-31 source
- State of Texas class salary ranges for this occupation (which class equals this rung is not published here): Electrician I $40,918 to $61,130 · Electrician II $45,521 to $71,055 · Electrician III $51,158 to $81,351 Fiscal 2026-27 (Sept 1, 2025 - Aug 31, 2027) 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).
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
- From Electrical Apprentice
- Journeyman Electrician (TDLR): 7,000 h to sit the exam · 8,000 h to be licensed · TDLR Journeyman application (by mail, non-refundable) $30 · PSI exam, both parts $78. On-the-job training under a Texas-licensed Master Electrician.
TDLR, PSI
- 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
- Skilled: TDLR Journeyman Electrician license tier: 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas Master Electrician and a PSI exam. Texas: Journeyman Electrician (TDLR) (8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a Texas Master Electrician (7,000 hours to sit the exam early)). Rung 2 of 6 on 'Construction electrical'.
Next stop M1 Electrical Inspector +$6,240 a year, Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels
Gates: Most people in the target job have over 4 years, up to and including 6 years of related work experience (O*NET: 32%).
Next stop B1 Electrical Foreman +$2.04/h Houston union minimum (IBEW 716)
Gates: Most people in the target job have over 10 years of related work experience (O*NET: 30%).
Next stop B2 Master Electrician
Gates: Texas: Master Electrician license (TDLR): 2 years as a licensed Journeyman, 12,000 hours under a Texas Master Electrician, and a TDLR exam. Step up within one O*NET occupation: O*NET and BLS publish no separate experience requirement for this rung (not published).
Next stop M5 Electrical Trade Instructor +$6,610 a year, Texas medians of each whole occupation, all experience levels
Gates: Most people in the target job have over 2 years, up to and including 4 years of related work experience (O*NET: 33%).
Moves to the side 9
- E1 Lineworker (Power Line) O*NET lists Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.83. License gate: Journeyman Lineman (TDLR).
- R Electric Motor Repairer O*NET lists Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.83.
- B Plumber O*NET lists Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.82. License gate: Journeyman Plumber (TSBPE), Tradesman Plumber-Limited (TSBPE).
- B Boilermaker O*NET lists Boilermakers as a related occupation (Primary-Long); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.80. License gate: not checked yet.
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 (7)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, Texas, series OEUS480000000000047211113, read 2026-10-03
- Union scale (contract minimum): 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 Journeyman Electrician License, read 2026-10-01
- PSI candidate information bulletin for TDLR electricians (updated September 15, 2026), 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.
