BLS OES May 2024
Electrician Salary in Texas 2026
Updated 17 April 2026
$52,800/yr average · $25.38/hr
State Median
$53k
vs. National
$9k
Top 10%
$82k
COL-Adjusted
$57k
Where Texas Ranks
Texas ranks #28 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Texas pays $8,790 below the national average.
Texas's cost-of-living index is 93 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $56,774/yr in national-average dollar terms. The below-average cost of living means electricians here retain more purchasing power than the nominal wage suggests.
Pay by Metro Area
BLS OES May 2024 MSA-level data. Top 5 metropolitan areas in Texas.
| Metro Area | Median Annual | vs. State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Metro | $56,400 | ++3.6k |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $55,200 | ++2.4k |
| Austin Metro | $54,800 | ++2.0k |
| San Antonio Metro | $50,400 | -2.4k |
| El Paso | $44,800 | -8.0k |
Pay by Experience Level
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $14 - $18/hr | $29,000 - $37,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $20 - $25/hr | $42,000 - $52,000 |
| Journeyman (Employee) | $25 - $36/hr | $52,000 - $75,000 |
| Master Electrician (Employee) | $32 - $46/hr | $67,000 - $96,000 |
| Self-Employed Contractor | $65 - $130/hr billed | $60,000 - $180,000 net |
Texas Licensing Requirements
See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing
Union Presence in Texas
IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 20 (San Antonio), Local 66 (Austin/Georgetown), Local 276 (Dallas), Local 716 (Houston)
Union share: approximately 9% of electricians in Texas are union.
Union electricians in Texas typically earn 20-35% more in total compensation than non-union electricians, when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis
Job Outlook in Texas
Texas electricians have strong job prospects through 2033 driven by continued population growth, major data center construction (North Texas), LNG plant work on the Gulf Coast, and significant solar and wind farm electrical installations in West Texas. Tesla Gigafactory and semiconductor fab expansions add industrial electrical demand.
Major Employers in Texas
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
Source: BLS OES May 2024 (47-2111), MERIC 2026 COL Index, IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.