Electricians play a critical role in powering our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. In Texas, the demand for skilled journeyman electricians is on the rise, driven by booming construction, industry, and energy sectors that rely heavily on electrical expertise. Understanding regional salary variations, the influence of certifications, and the impact of experience and skill specialization are vital for professionals navigating the market or considering relocation within the Lone Star State. This article dives into the top 20 highest-paying regions and job roles for journeyman electricians in Texas. It provides a granular breakdown of key salary figures, benefits, and factors that move the needle in compensation. Whether you’re a seasoned electrician planning your next career move or an employer benchmarking wages, this guide is tailored for real insights without distractions—clean, focused, and packed with data.
Top 20 Journeyman Electrician Salaries in Texas
Below are the top 20 highest-paying scenarios for journeyman electricians across Texas. Each listing includes city or sector, average annual salary, hourly rate (where applicable), notable benefits, and factors driving competitive pay. All figures are approximate and represent typical market rates for established journeyman electricians.
- Houston – Industrial Facilities
- Average Annual Salary: $78,000–$85,000
- Hourly Rate: $37–$41 (based on 2,000 annual work hours)
- Benefits: Overtime pay, hazard pay, generous health insurance, retirement contributions, continuing education reimbursement
- Key Drivers: High demand in petrochemical plants, refinery expansions, and chemical manufacturing sites; premium for technical expertise and strict safety compliance
- Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex – Commercial Construction
- Average Annual Salary: $75,000–$82,000
- Hourly Rate: $36–$41
- Benefits: Paid travel between job sites, performance bonuses, health and dental coverage, certification renewals funded
- Key Drivers: Rapid commercial real estate development, high-profile retail and office builds, multi-site project coordination
- San Antonio – Military and Defense Contracts
- Average Annual Salary: $73,000–$80,000
- Hourly Rate: $35–$40
- Benefits: Security clearance bonus, government benefits, consistent long-term contracts, shift differentials
- Key Drivers: Ongoing base maintenance, upgrades on defense installations, and stringent contractual requirements
- Austin – High-Tech Manufacturing
- Average Annual Salary: $70,000–$78,000
- Hourly Rate: $33–$39
- Benefits: Stock purchase plans, health coverage, shift premiums, relocation bonuses
- Key Drivers: Growth in semiconductor and electronics assembly plants; automation systems demand advanced electrical skills
- Corpus Christi – Offshore and Coastal Industry
- Average Annual Salary: $68,000–$76,000
- Hourly Rate: $34–$38
- Benefits: Travel allowances, offshore per diem, health and wellness packages, safety training
- Key Drivers: Ports, shipping terminals, offshore oil platform maintenance offer higher premiums given remote location and hazard exposure
- El Paso – Border Infrastructure and Utilities
- Average Annual Salary: $66,000–$73,000
- Hourly Rate: $33–$37
- Benefits: Supplemental pay for border posting, uniform and tool allowances, health insurance
- Key Drivers: Customs and border facilities, aging infrastructure modernization, strong municipal contract opportunities
- Lubbock – Wind Energy Projects
- Average Annual Salary: $64,000–$72,000
- Hourly Rate: $32–$36
- Benefits: Performance incentives, lodging stipends, health and vision plans, travel reimbursement
- Key Drivers: Expanding wind farms, renewable energy mandates, specialized electrical work in turbine installation and maintenance
- Tyler–Longview – Forestry and Pulp Industry
- Average Annual Salary: $63,000–$70,000
- Hourly Rate: $31–$35
- Benefits: Shift differentials, health benefits, skill development programs
- Key Drivers: Large mill operations needing round-the-clock electrical support; evolving automation in plant operations
- Midland/Odessa – Oil & Gas Services
- Average Annual Salary: $62,000–$70,000
- Hourly Rate: $31–$35
- Benefits: Subsistence allowances, remote-location premiums, retention bonuses
- Key Drivers: Support facilities for oil extraction, processing sites; high pay for flexible scheduling and remote assignments
- Killeen – Army Base and Civilian Support Contracts
- Average Annual Salary: $60,000–$68,000
- Hourly Rate: $30–$34
- Benefits: Security premiums, full healthcare, education assistance, retirement packages
- Key Drivers: Ongoing base operations and infrastructure contracts
- Waco – Healthcare Facilities & Hospitals
- Average Annual Salary: $59,000–$66,000
- Hourly Rate: $29–$33
- Benefits: Shift markups, health and wellness, overtime for emergency response
- Key Drivers: Hospital upgrades, 24/7 electrical system reliability, specialized safety protocols
- Amarillo – Agriculture and Food Processing
- Average Annual Salary: $58,000–$65,000
- Hourly Rate: $29–$33
- Benefits: Overtime authorization, health insurance, safety training stipends
- Key Drivers: Large-scale food production, cold storage facilities, mechanized packaging equipment
- Beaumont–Port Arthur – Refinery Operations
- Average Annual Salary: $57,000–$64,000
- Hourly Rate: $28–$32
- Benefits: Hazard pay, shift premiums, full benefits package, training on hazardous environments
- Key Drivers: Refinery turnover rates; high safety certifications raise pay
- Brownsville–Harlingen – International Border Industry
- Average Annual Salary: $56,000–$63,000
- Hourly Rate: $28–$32
- Benefits: Travel stipend, border hazard compensation, health coverage
- Key Drivers: Cross-border trade facilities, customs systems, and logistics centers
- Galveston – Maritime and Shipyard Jobs
- Average Annual Salary: $55,000–$62,000
- Hourly Rate: $27–$31
- Benefits: Maritime hazard pay, workshop tools coverage, health benefits
- Key Drivers: Shipyard maintenance, port electrical systems under harsh marine conditions
- Victoria – Manufacturing and Heavy Machinery
- Average Annual Salary: $54,000–$61,000
- Hourly Rate: $27–$30
- Benefits: Training reimbursements, health insurance, shift bonuses
- Key Drivers: Local heavy manufacturing, demand for precision electrical maintenance
- Wichita Falls – Military Logistics and Base Facilities
- Average Annual Salary: $53,000–$60,000
- Hourly Rate: $26–$30
- Benefits: Security clearance bonuses, federal benefit packages, overtime
- Key Drivers: Military base infrastructure, contract security requirements
- College Station – University and Campus Maintenance
- Average Annual Salary: $52,000–$59,000
- Hourly Rate: $26–$29
- Benefits: Education-related perks, consistent scheduling, health benefits
- Key Drivers: University facility needs and energy retrofit projects
- Brownwood – Small-Town Industrial and Utilities
- Average Annual Salary: $51,000–$58,000
- Hourly Rate: $25–$29
- Benefits: Community-based benefits, stable scheduling, continuing education funding
- Key Drivers: Less competition, steady demand in local utilities and small operators
- Laredo – Border Logistics and Warehouse Complexes
- Average Annual Salary: $50,000–$57,000
- Hourly Rate: $25–$28
- Benefits: Warehouse hazard pay, logistic center premiums, health and tool allowances
- Key Drivers: Warehousing growth, customs inspection hubs, and long-haul trucking support
Journeyman Electrician Salaries in Texas: Insights and Career Outlook
Continuing from the earlier breakdown of the top 20 journeyman electrician salaries across Texas, this section dives deeper into industry trends, salary comparisons, certifications, and future opportunities. Understanding these factors can help electricians maximize earning potential, employers benchmark competitive wages, and newcomers to the trade chart a strong career path.
Factors Influencing Journeyman Electrician Salaries in Texas
Journeyman electricians’ salaries in Texas vary widely depending on several factors. These considerations help explain why certain cities and sectors offer higher pay than others.
1. Geographic Location
Urban centers such as Houston, Dallas, and Austin consistently offer higher wages due to ongoing construction booms, demand for skilled labor, and the presence of large commercial and industrial projects. Meanwhile, rural regions may offer slightly lower base salaries but often compensate with overtime opportunities, housing stipends, and travel benefits.
2. Industry and Sector
The sector of employment plays a significant role in determining pay:
- Industrial Facilities: Highest pay, especially in petrochemical plants, manufacturing, and refineries.
- Renewable Energy Projects: Growing demand around Lubbock and West Texas wind farms, with competitive starting rates and room for advancement.
- Healthcare and Education: Hospitals and universities may offer lower base pay but make up for it with consistent schedules and long-term stability.
- Military and Defense: Bases like Fort Cavazos and San Antonio installations provide above-average pay due to security requirements and federal benefits.
3. Experience and Skill Level
While journeyman status signifies significant competence, additional years in the field often increase pay rates. Employers tend to reward those who demonstrate strong troubleshooting abilities, leadership potential, and expertise with modern technologies such as automated systems.
4. Specialized Certifications
Holding certifications beyond the basic journeyman license can unlock premium opportunities. Common credentials include:
- OSHA Safety Certifications
- Instrumentation and Control Specialist Certification
- Medium- and High-Voltage Systems Certification
- NFPA 70E Arc Flash Training
- Renewable Energy Systems Certification
Employers seeking highly specialized electricians frequently pay a premium for these qualifications, especially when safety, precision, or automation knowledge is required.
Salary Comparison: Journeyman vs. Apprentice vs. Master Electrician
The electrical trade offers a structured pay hierarchy that reflects skill levels and licensing status:
- Apprentice Electrician: $30,000–$42,000 annually
- Journeyman Electrician: $50,000–$85,000 annually
- Master Electrician: $80,000–$110,000 annually
The jump from journeyman to master electrician often comes with supervisory responsibilities, permitting authority, and opportunities to start independent contracting businesses. Many journeyman electricians begin preparing for their master license once they’ve gained enough field experience, as the move typically results in a 20–30% salary boost.
Best-Paying Industries for Journeyman Electricians in Texas
To better understand where earnings peak, here’s a breakdown of Texas’s highest-paying sectors for journeyman electricians:
- Oil and Gas Refineries
- Average Pay: $75,000–$90,000
- Key Areas: Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Midland
- Why High Pay: Hazardous work, specialized systems, and 24/7 operations
- High-Tech Manufacturing
- Average Pay: $68,000–$80,000
- Key Areas: Austin, Dallas, San Antonio
- Why High Pay: Precision wiring for semiconductor and electronics facilities
- Renewable Energy
- Average Pay: $64,000–$78,000
- Key Areas: Lubbock, Sweetwater, Abilene
- Why High Pay: Specialized installations, remote locations, and growth incentives
- Maritime and Offshore Projects
- Average Pay: $70,000–$82,000
- Key Areas: Galveston, Corpus Christi, Port Arthur
- Why High Pay: Offshore work premiums and technical complexity
- Military and Defense Facilities
- Average Pay: $66,000–$80,000
- Key Areas: Killeen, San Antonio, Wichita Falls
- Why High Pay: Security clearances and government-funded benefits
Future Job Outlook for Journeyman Electricians in Texas
Texas has one of the fastest-growing populations in the U.S., fueling continuous demand for infrastructure, housing, and industrial growth. According to industry projections, employment for electricians statewide is expected to grow 8–10% over the next decade, driven by:
- Large-scale renewable energy investments in wind and solar
- Expansion of high-tech manufacturing plants
- Infrastructure upgrades in urban centers
- Increased automation across industrial facilities
This steady growth ensures journeyman electricians remain in high demand, providing both job security and opportunities to pursue higher-paying roles with additional training or certifications.
Tips to Maximize Your Salary as a Journeyman Electrician
For journeyman electricians looking to increase their earning potential, these strategies can help:
- Pursue Specialized Training
Certifications in automation systems, renewable energy, or high-voltage equipment can unlock better-paying opportunities. - Consider Relocation
Areas like Houston, Austin, and Dallas consistently pay higher salaries compared to smaller towns, especially in the energy and industrial sectors. - Leverage Overtime and Shift Differentials
Many sectors, including healthcare, refineries, and offshore projects, offer significant pay boosts for night shifts, weekends, and emergency call-outs. - Work in High-Demand Industries
Target sectors like oil and gas, renewables, or advanced manufacturing, which consistently pay above-average rates. - Advance Toward Master Electrician Licensing
Investing in the next licensing level can deliver long-term financial rewards and open doors to project management and independent contracting.
Final Thoughts
Journeyman electricians in Texas enjoy strong salary prospects, steady job security, and opportunities for upward mobility. While salaries differ based on location, industry, and experience, the overall outlook is exceptionally positive thanks to the state’s booming energy, construction, and manufacturing sectors. By obtaining advanced certifications, choosing the right industry, and staying adaptable to emerging technologies, electricians can secure top-tier compensation and long-term career growth.