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Journeyman Electrician

TEXAS · ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL

Your next electrical career move, backed by practice and evidence.

Explore premises electrical work, power lines and inspection. Choose your starting point and target to find shared abilities to demonstrate, preparation to build and the right learning resource.

See the stages and branches of all three routes

Texas electrician: four stages

  • Electrician helper / apprentice-entry — Enter a supervised Texas electrical-work pathway with usable first-day evidence.
  • Journeyman Electrician — Develop independent-level premises reasoning and document the actual licensing pathway.
  • Master Electrician — Integrate technical review, source judgment and accountable supervision.
  • Electrical contractor — business route — Turn a defined electrical service into a scoped, costed and accountable business offer.

Texas power-line career

  • Groundworker / groundman — Prepare for employer-defined ground support and apprenticeship-entry tasks.
  • Apprentice lineworker — Build system fundamentals and a sponsor-reviewed progressive training record.
  • Journey-level lineworker — Integrate line-system reasoning with verified specialty field competence.
  • Line crew supervisor / utility foreman — Lead a defined crew through coherent briefings, resources and handoffs.
  • General foreman — multi-crew leadership — Coordinate foremen, accepted output, labor evidence and quality-dependent forecasts.
  • Line construction superintendent — Coordinate multiple foremen, projects, materials and accountable priorities.
  • Troubleman / line trouble-response specialist — Create a disciplined fault-response evidence handoff and competing hypotheses.
  • Substation specialist — Read power/control evidence and build a task-specific substation assessment plan.
  • Line-contracting business owner / operator — Define a line-service business offer with verified system scope and delivery dependencies.

Texas electrical-inspection career

  • Inspector trainee — employer-specific entry — Learn objective field records and traceable adopted-source questions under supervision.
  • Electrical inspector — Connect electrical facts, adopted requirements and defensible review records.
  • Electrical plans examiner — Produce reproducible electrical drawing reviews and coordinated dispositions.
  • Combination building inspector — Coordinate multiple trade reviews with separately demonstrated competence.
  • Inspection supervisor — Calibrate reviewers, train staff and coordinate consistent inspections.
  • Building official / building-code leadership — Administer a scoped building-code function with consistent public processes.
  • Independent inspection firm — scope-specific — Deliver scope-specific independent inspection services with verified authority and records.

Specialist, leadership and business branches depend on the employer, program and authority. They are not a universal mandatory sequence; a contracting business can employ its responsible Master Electrician.

Journeyman Electrician

Develop independent-level premises reasoning and document the actual licensing pathway.

TDLR experience verification, examination and license issuance are separate from study. A Lineman credential or another title is not automatic Journeyman Electrician equivalence or accepted hours.

Use existing P2/J01–J18 knowledge where available; add grounding/fault/motor changed cases and an actual supervised assessment plan.

Work a case, compare your reasoning and retry changed conditions. Gather qualified training and assessment evidence for your target. A prior title grants no automatic hours, competence, license or appointment.

Explore member learning · Open helper lessons and practice

Journeyman Electrician

B1-02

B1 B2 M1 M5 Construction electrical · Skilled level · O*NET 47-2111.00

Planning a commercial electrical career?

Explore the Entry KitCompare membership

This station tracks the Journeyman license. Use the commercial planning guide to explore that work setting.

License checkpoints

  1. Start: review Electrical Apprentice requirements.
  2. Next: compare Journeyman Electrician requirements for your intended work.
  3. Later: review Master Electrician requirements if that is your goal.

Confirm the applicable license, supervision, experience and exam requirements with TDLR before applying.

TDLR applications: Apprentice, Residential Wireman, Journeyman, Industrial, Master.

Read next

When can you qualify?

Enter your pace to see your 7,000-hour exam date and 8,000-hour license date.

Enter both numbers to calculate your dates.

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).

Half of all Electricians in Texas earn more than $58,570; the bottom 10% earned less than $37,920 and the top 10% more than $80,300 (May 2025, base pay, about 76,770 jobs). U.S. median $63,190.

Outlook 2024 to 2034, all Electricians, not level-specific
TWC, BLS

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

About 1 in 3 work more than 40 hours a week (35%).

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
  • Tsai Electro 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
Body 4.21 · exposure 4.03. O*NET Work Context means, 1 = never, 5 = continually or every day.

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
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 10

  • 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).
  • I Industrial Electrical Equipment Technician O*NET lists Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment as a related occupation (Primary-Long); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.76. License: depends on the work.
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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.

  1. Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
  2. 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.
  3. Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
  4. 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.
  5. Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
  6. 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)

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.

More career options

  • Data Center Electrician

    Editorial side move from Journeyman Electrician into data center electrical facilities work. Source

  • Electrical Estimator

    BLS describes extensive construction work experience as a route into construction cost estimating. This side move is an editorial career option, not automatic qualification. Source

Texas electrician: skill steps

Decide

  • NEW-001

    Assess Texas electrician job outlook and emerging sectors

    Compare job outlook questions across electrical work settings and emerging sectors.

    Plan your next practice

    Step data ready; plugin integration pending

  • NEW-002

    Choose a long-term electrician career direction

    Compare possible long-term directions for an electrical career.

    Plan your next practice

    Step data ready; plugin integration pending

Train and apply

  • NEW-008

    Find inclusive electrical apprenticeship programs

    Compare apprenticeship programs by their support for different applicants.

    Plan your next practice

    Step data ready; plugin integration pending

First year on the job

Journeyman

  • NEW-003

    Lead and develop an electrical crew

    Plan how to guide a crew and support its learning.

    Plan your next practice

    Step data ready; plugin integration pending

  • NEW-005

    Move into electrical project management and estimating

    Identify the project management and estimating skills to explore next.

    Plan your next practice

    Step data ready; plugin integration pending

  • NEW-004

    Plan and complete Journeyman assignments

    Plan an assignment and review its completion with the team.

    Plan your next practice

    Step data ready; plugin integration pending

Contractor learning steps are being built; hiring, contracts and records remain under review.

On the line

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Not a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas or any U.S. state. Does not offer engineering services. Exam-prep education only.