If you find satisfaction in performing hands-on work and are eager to solve mental challenges, consider electrician as a potential career. This line of work offers many benefits, such as the opportunity to use your problem-solving skills daily and the satisfaction of helping others with their electrical needs. Moreover, the practical nature of the job can be pretty rewarding. Ultimately, electricians can take pride in their work and enjoy feeling like a vital part of their local community.

The electrical trade offers exciting opportunities for individuals seeking to expand their career. With a suitable level of expertise, enjoying a lucrative, hands-on job while working alongside interesting and inspiring people is possible. The potential to start your own business is something many in this field aspire to. In sum, there are ample reasons why the electrical industry is a wonderful choice for a promising career.

Chartr Article 'Electricians Are In High Demand' states the job market for electricians is booming. Driven by a surge in the need to electrify various systems and appliances, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that 80,000 new jobs in the electrician trade will be created annually until 2031, an increase that would take the total number of electricians in the US past the 1 million mark for the first time in over 30 years.

One of the main benefits of this profession is secure employment, as the demand for electricians is not expected to dwindle anytime soon. Plus, unlike most jobs that require a college degree, electricians often get paid to learn the trade rather than pay to receive an education. Experience will be your education.

To ensure safety and enforce building codes, the state of Texas requires all electricians to be licensed. If you are planning to undertake any residential, commercial, or industrial electrical services, you must be licensed or working under the guidance of someone who is. The specific license type required depends on the type of electrical work being completed and the individual’s level of training and experience.

The three main categories of electrical work are residential, commercial, and industrial.

🏠 Residential electrical wiring involves installing wiring for lights, outlets, and other electrical needs at home, such as air conditioners, televisions, and security systems.

🏢 Commercial electrical wiring, meanwhile, includes wiring in office buildings, schools, stores, and other business locations. These types of wiring may include the installation of equipment, data processing systems, lighting, and fire safety systems.

🏭 Industrial electrical wiring is typically done in large manufacturing facilities or power plants and involves much more intricate and complex wiring than in residential or commercial settings. This includes wiring external power plants, automation systems, and power centers. Industrial wiring also deals with grounding, insulation resistance tests, and welding issues.

In Texas, entry-level commercial electrical apprentices, or "helpers," can expect to earn an average of $17 to $19 per hour in their initial year. This rate typically increases with knowledge and experience gained on the job, leading to pay of up to $35 an hour.

Regardless of the chosen route, the electrical trade is an attractive option providing plenty of growth opportunities and a steady income.

🖥️ 1. Get your license: Want to become a licensed apprentice electrician? Right now, you can go to the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration's (TDLR) website and buy an electrical apprentice license for $20. 💥 Boom, you're an electrical apprentice!

👷 2. Find a helper job: What you'll want to do next is get employed as a helper. A helper in the electrical trade is really the same thing as an electrical apprentice. We recommend downloading the Buildforce App, which will connect you directly with dozens of top contractors across Texas looking for electrical helpers.

We believe the best way to learn the electrical trade is to get paid while doing it. Many of the best contractors with whom Buildforce is partnered provide on-the-job training to entry-level electricians; some even run formal apprenticeship programs with structured training.
There are also plenty of other places you can go to receive training:

✍️ 3. Work hard, learn, and report hours: Once you're employed, learn everything from the journeyman you're helping. If you're serious about the electrical trade, you'll also want to make sure that the Master Electrician where you're working is reporting all of your hours to TDLR. After 8000 of recorded work with TDLR, you will become eligible to take your Journeyman test to become a Journeyman electrician!

Buildforce is devoted to helping tradespeople meet the demands of the ever-changing job market. Our technology and team are aimed at tradespeople trying to stay on top of their careers, allowing them to access the best jobs in the industry, increase their earnings, and offer specialized mentorship programs. By striving to be the best source of resources for electricians, Buildforce is dedicated to helping professional electricians improve their career prospects, be successful, and develop in their trade.

The skilled trades industry needs help attracting younger generations due to misconceptions about potential earnings and outdated perceptions. Buildforce is dedicated to challenging perceptions about the trades and construction industry and encouraging more women and young people to join the field. We aim to create a dynamic workforce in which everyone is welcomed and respected and further bridge the gap between gender and generational divides. We believe that diversity can only be maximized with the addition of these groups, promoting an inclusive and vibrant community.