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There is a huge demand for electricians in the state of Texas, and the Lone Star State has everything you need to join the ranks of this noble profession and make a profitable career as an electrician.
The growing demand means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off. Ten states in the United States collectively account for 61% of the entire U.S. construction market, according to Research and Markets, and Texas is one of them.
Also, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 27% growth rate in Texas for electricians as compared with 6% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are thousands of electrician jobs in Texas posted on Indeed.com and Zip Recruiter.
Read on to find out how you can get the training you need to find your place in this expanding workforce.
Accredited Texas Electrician Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.”
Texas has quite a few training programs for aspiring electricians. There is a plethora of apprenticeship opportunities and a wide selection of college programs. Several groups, including unions and contractor associations, sponsor apprenticeship programs. Some electrical contractors have their own training programs, which are not recognized apprenticeship programs but include both technical and on-the-job training. Although most workers enter apprenticeships directly, some choose to attend technical colleges or trade schools first. According to the BLS, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as a helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.
Texas Apprenticeships
Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees: Austin Electrical Training Alliance, Beaumont Electrical JATC, El Paso Electrician JATC, Galveston Electrical JATC, Houston Electrical JATC, North Texas Electrical JATC, Rio Grande Valley – Laredo JATC, South Texas Electrical JATC, Electrical Training Alliance of Southeast Texas, Texarkana Electrical JATC, Texas Gulf Coast Electrical Joint Apprenticeship, Waco Electricians Area Wide JATC, West Texas Electrical Training Alliance, Wichita Falls JATC (alliances between the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) chapters and the Texas chapters for the National Electrical Contractors Alliance (NECA).
The National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) has approved several electrician programs offered through Texas’ Community College System and more. NCCER lists the following programs on their website as accredited electrical schools:
Alamo Colleges – Workforce Training Network – EETC — San Antonio
Alvin Community College — Alvin
Blinn College — Brenham
Brazosport College — Lake Jackson
CLC Inc — Fort Worth
Duncanville High School — Duncanville
Galveston College — Galveston
Houston Community College Central — Houston
KISD Career Center — Killeen
Lee College Education Center — Liberty
Lee College McNair Center — Baytown
Lone Star College North Harris — Houston
Navarro College — Corsicana
Robert E. Lee High School — Tyler
Electrician Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college, you may want to speak with people in the field in your state. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education. Other states have no educational requirements or only require classroom instruction as part of an apprenticeship, as is the case in Texas.
In terms of college education for electricians, typically you’ll find a range of choices of degree and certificate programs, but again most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. However, sometimes a certificate or degree can give you an advantage in getting an apprentice position. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in Texas like:
As stated earlier, in many cases but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Electrical programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Typically they include coursework in the fundamentals of the electrical trade. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers: A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the national electric code. Among the most common classes offered in these degree programs are:
Foundations of Mathematics
Industrial Safety Procedures
Direct Current
Alternating Current
Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols
Commercial Wiring
Residential Wiring
Electrical Controls
Diagnostic Troubleshooting
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School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Texas community colleges on average is $4,287 per year for in-state students and $6,528 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, though, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
There are also always costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
As noted above, you can choose from a certificate or an associate degree. The certificates require as few as 12 or as many as 33 credit hours. Associate degree programs typically take two years and require 65 credits or more.
Benefits
There are benefits to formal education if you want to be an electrician. Although in Texas there is no educational requirement to get started in the field, most employers want would-be electricians to complete an apprenticeship, which requires some classroom instruction. Oftentimes that formal education can be applied toward a college degree, such as an associate’s of applied science in Electrical Construction Technology. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.
Online vs in-person
You may choose to get electrician training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you. Both Penn Foster and Ashworth College offer online electrician classes.
Online programs are ideal for people looking for entry-level jobs or for entry-level workers who are looking to increase their salaries. If you know your learning style relies on personal instruction, more traditional in-person classes are accessible throughout the state.
Level of difficulty
Electrician training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.
School Comparison: At a Glance
Many of the accredited training schools listed above are part of the Texas Community College System. They all offer students financial aid in the form of grants and loans and have a 100% acceptance rate. Let’s begin with the schools accredited by NCCER.
Alamo Colleges – Workforce Training Network – EETC — San Antonio
Electrical Trades | Associate’s Degree | 60 credits
Electrical Trades | Level 1 Certificate | 24 credits
Electrical Trades Helper | Certificate | 16 credits
Residential Electrician | Certificate | 144 hours
Electrical Technician | Certificate | 120 hours
Electrical Apprenticeship | Certificate | 144 hours/year
Electrical Technician | Certificate | 200 hours
Industrial and Commercial Electricity | Associate’s Degree | 60 credits
Industrial and Commercial Electricity | Advanced Certificate | 36 credits
Industrial and Commercial Electricity | Basic Certificate | 18 credits
Pre-Apprenticeship program | Certificate | 6 weeks
Electrical | Career and Technical Education
Electrical & Electronics | Associate’s Degree | 60 credits
Electrical & Electronics Advanced Level | Certificate | 45 credits
Electrical & Electronics Advanced Level Technology | Certificate | 30 credits
Electrical & Electronics Entry Level | Certificate | 16 credits
Gilbreath – Reed Career and Technical Center Northland High School and Naaman High School offer a pathway to technology magnet for high school students. One of those pathways is electrical as part of a Construction Technology program.
Electrical Technology | Associate’s Degree | 60 credits
Electrical Technology Residential | Certificate | 18 credits
Electrical Technology Commercial | Certificate | 18 credits
KISD Career Center in Killeen also offers an electrical program for high school students to help prepare them to be electrician apprentices.
Electrical Technology | Associate’s Degree
Electrical Technology | Certificate
Electrical Construction | Certificate
Lone Star College North Harris
Electrical Technology | Associate’s Degree | 60 credits
Electrical Technology Level II | Certificate | 48 credits
Electrical Technology Level I | Certificate | 27 credits
Electrical Technology Occupational Skills | Certificate | 12 credits
Electrical Technician | Certificate | 144 hours
Residential Electrician | Certificate | 120 hours
Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown offers an electrical program for high school students to help prepare them to be electrician apprentices.
Steps for Enrollment in Texas
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. Many colleges in Texas don’t charge an application fee though. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the JATC, Local Union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
Electrician Career Requirements in Texas
As mentioned earlier, Texas does not have an educational requirement to legally perform entry-level electrician work in the state. Entry-level professionals just need to meet employer expectations to get started working for a licensed master electrician.
Texas issues apprentice licenses as well as licenses for residential wireman, journeyman, master electricians and several other electrician specialties through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). To be eligible to sit for the Texas journeyman electrician exam, you need a minimum of 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a master electrician. To be eligible for the Texas master electrician exam, you need to hold a journeyman license for a minimum of two years and demonstrate 12,000 hours of on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a master electrician licensed in Texas. To renew either a journeyman or master electrician license, you will need to complete four hours of continuing education. For a detailed explanation of Texas’ Electricians licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Texas Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Texas
Before paying for technical education to become an electrician, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in Texas? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Texas for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years : $50,000
Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,500
Senior 4-6 years: $68,200
Supervisor > 7 years: $97,000
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
As we said earlier, most electricians get their training through a formal electrician apprenticeship. Most apprenticeships are four to five years long and combine full-time hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. Most also require you to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or a GED, and a valid driver’s license.
There are several electrical union apprenticeship programs in Texas, which are offered by local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in coordination with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Together they make up the Electrical Training Alliance. There are 13 IBEW Jurisdictions in Texas.
LU 20 Dallas - Fort Worth
LU 60 San Antonio
LU 72 Waco
LU 278 Corpus Christi
LU 301 Texarkana
LU 479 Beaumont
LU 520 Austin
LU 527 Galveston
LU 583 El Paso
LU 602 Amarillo
LU 681 Wichita Falls
LU 716 Houston
LU 1015 Weslaco
And, there are Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees that serve them all. The JATCs in Texas are:
Galveston Electrical JATC in Texas City
North Texas Electrical JATC in Grand Prairie
Rio Grande Valley – Laredo JATC in McAllen
South Texas Electrical JATC in San Antonio
Electrical Training Alliance of Southeast Texas in Nederland
Texarkana Electrical JATC in Nash
Texas Gulf Coast Electrical Joint Apprenticeship in Corpus Christi
Waco Electricians Area Wide JATC in Waco
West Texas Electrical Training Alliance in Amarillo
Non-union apprenticeships like those offered by the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Association and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas (ABC) are similar to the union programs. There are 10 Texas Chapters of the IEC.
CENTEX IEC (Central Texas) in Austin
IEC East Texas in Tyler
IEC Texas Gulf Coast in Houston
IEC of the Texas Panhandle in Amarillo
IEC of the Rio Grande Valley in Harlingen
These non-union and union programs culminate in journeyman status as directed by national standards. Apprentices work for member contractors with an opportunity for increased wages each year until reaching journeyman status.
Some electrical contractors have their own training programs, which are not recognized apprenticeship programs but include both technical and on-the-job training. After completing an apprenticeship program, electricians are considered journey workers and may perform duties on their own, subject to local or state licensing requirements.
Other School Options
We’ve highlighted accredited colleges thus far, but although accreditation can give you confidence in your technical or community college, accredited programs aren’t your only option. There are so many other programs throughout the state that may be more accessible to you based on where you live. There are just too many to list them all here, but to get you started each of the schools below has electrician training.
Dallas College (Irving)
National Technical Institute (Houston)
Propel Electrician School (San Antonio)
Texas has hundreds of college campuses across the state. If one of the schools above isn’t in your area, check this list to see where else you can look for electrician training in Texas.
You can find the training you need to excel as an electrician in Texas. The opportunities are all around you!
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