Electricians in Texas
Texas has the second-largest electrician workforce in the country — roughly 69,000 working across a state that’s building housing, data centers, and industrial facilities at a pace most states can’t match. Unlike many Southern states, Texas actually issues a statewide journeyman license.
What does Texas licensing actually require?
Texas is one of the states that actually has a clear, statewide licensing path. TDLR handles it.
Licensing authority: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
Journeyman Electrician: 4,000 hours of on-the-job experience (or an approved apprenticeship) plus a state exam. Master Electrician: hold a journeyman license for at least 2 years, accumulate 12,000 total hours. Residential wireman licenses exist for dwellings up to four units — a separate credential.
What do Texas electricians earn?
Texas employs roughly 69,000 electricians. Median annual wage: $55,000–$62,000 (BLS OEWS data).
That’s below the national median. No state income tax helps, but Texas wages reflect the weaker union presence in the South. Prevailing wage and IBEW-scale jobs pay significantly more.
Run the numbers with the free Take-Home Pay Calculator →
Apprenticeship programs in Texas
- South Texas Electrical JATC (Houston / Corpus Christi)
- West Texas Electrical JATC
- Dallas-Fort Worth JATC (IBEW Local 20)
Which NEC edition does Texas enforce?
Texas enforces NEC 2023 statewide. Individual jurisdictions may add local amendments — check with your AHJ before assuming the bare NEC tables are sufficient.
View Texas NEC Adoption Details →
Free calculators for Texas electricians
These run offline and match NEC reference tables:
- Wire Size Calculator
- Voltage Drop Calculator
- Conduit Fill Calculator
- Box Fill Calculator
- Conduit Bending Calculator
- GFCI & AFCI Requirements Guide
The app
Electrician’s NEC Field Calculator — wire sizing, voltage drop, conduit fill, box fill, motor circuits, equipment grounding. All from NEC tables. $9.99, once.
Every trade calculator app wants $20/month now. Over a 35-year career in Texas, that’s $8,400. FieldLab is $9.99, once. No subscription. The app is yours.