Electrician in Carrollton, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Carrollton Stands

If you're an electrician eyeing Carrollton, the numbers are solid. With a median salary of $62,159/year and an hourly rate of $29.88/hour, you're sitting right at or slightly above the national average of $61,550/year. But what does that mean for your specific experience level? Let's break it down.

The local market for electricians is stable, with 397 jobs currently listed in the metro area. The 10-year job growth projection of 11% is a key indicator—it's not explosive growth, but it's reliable, suggesting a steady demand for skilled tradespeople as the city's infrastructure ages and new residential developments pop up.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience in the Carrollton area:

Experience Level	Annual Salary Range (Carrollton)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	$45,000 - $55,000	Apprentice work, conduit bending, basic residential wiring under supervision.
Mid-Level (3-5 yrs)	$58,000 - $70,000	Residential/commercial service calls, troubleshooting, reading blueprints.
Senior (5-10 yrs)	$65,000 - $85,000	Project management, lead electrician on commercial jobs, code compliance.
Expert/Specialist	$80,000+	Industrial controls, data center work, high-voltage systems, business ownership.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the median. In Carrollton, senior electricians specializing in commercial HVAC or industrial automation often earn 15-20% above the median, especially if they're with established firms serving the North Dallas corridor.

Comparison to Other Texas Cities:
Carrollton is a unique beast. It's not a standalone city; it's a key suburb in the DFW metroplex. This means you're competing with and earning alongside electricians from Dallas, Plano, and Frisco. While Dallas might offer slightly higher raw numbers for large-scale commercial work, Carrollton's cost of living is more manageable. Compared to Austin's tech-driven market (where electricians specializing in solar and data centers command premiums) or Houston's industrial sector, Carrollton provides a balanced mix of residential, light commercial, and some industrial work without the intense competition of core metro areas.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Median Salary: $62,159/year sounds good on paper, but let's get real about what lands in your bank account.

For a single filer in Texas (no state income tax), here's a rough monthly breakdown for an electrician earning the median salary:

• Gross Monthly: $5,179
• Federal Tax & FICA (approx): -$850
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$4,329

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Average 1BR Rent: $1,291
• Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet): $200
• Groceries & Food: $400
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas (DFW is car-dependent): $500
• Health Insurance (if not employer-paid): $300
• Retirement Savings (10%): $433
• Misc. & Discretionary: $1,205

This leaves you with a comfortable buffer, but the key variable is housing.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
The median home price in Carrollton hovers around $375,000. With a $62,159 salary, you're at the edge of what's comfortable without a significant down payment. Here’s the math:

• 20% Down Payment: $75,000
• Mortgage (Principal & Interest, 30-yr fixed at 6.5%): ~$1,900/month
• Property Taxes (Collin & Denton Counties avg): ~$550/month
• Homeowners Insurance: ~$150/month
• Total Monthly Housing Cost: ~$2,600

The Verdict: A single earner at the median salary can afford a smaller home or townhome in Carrollton, especially with a partner's income. However, to comfortably buy a median-priced single-family home, you'd need to be at the senior level ($70k+) or have a dual-income household. Many local electricians start in the more affordable suburbs like The Colony or Lewisville to build equity before moving to Carrollton proper.

Where the Jobs Are: Carrollton's Major Employers

Carrollton's job market is a mix of local small businesses, regional players, and national corporations. Here’s where the opportunities are:

1. Residential & Light Commercial Contractors: This is the backbone. Firms like J.C. Electric and Lone Star Electric are always looking for journeymen for service calls and new builds in growing neighborhoods like Castle Hills and Austin Square. They offer steady, localized work.
2. Industrial & Manufacturing Plants: Carrollton has a strong industrial base. Jacobs Engineering (though headquartered elsewhere) maintains facilities in the area, and there are numerous smaller manufacturing plants in the Denton County side of Carrollton. These jobs often require experience with motor controls and three-phase power.
3. Data Centers & High-Tech: The North Dallas corridor is a major data center hub. Companies like Digital Realty and Switch have facilities in nearby Plano and Richardson, often sourcing electricians from Carrollton for maintenance and upgrade work. This is a high-skill, high-pay niche.
4. Hospitals & Healthcare: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Carrollton is a major employer. Their facilities team hires electricians for hospital maintenance, which requires knowledge of medical-grade power systems and backup generators. It's a stable, union-leaning environment.
5. Municipal & Public Works: The City of Carrollton itself employs electricians for public lighting, traffic signals, and city-owned building maintenance. These are public-sector jobs with great benefits and pensions but can be competitive to get into.
6. Electrical Supply Houses: Companies like Graybar or WESCO in the area need inside sales and warehouse staff with electrical knowledge, offering a path away from field work if you get injured or want a change.

Hiring Trends: There's a noticeable push toward energy efficiency and smart home integration. Electricians with certifications in EV charger installation, solar, or home automation (e.g., Lutron, Crestron) are in high demand and can command premium rates. The growth in EV adoption in Texas is directly creating more installation work.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas has a straightforward but mandatory licensing process managed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Path to Licensure:

1. Trainee to Apprentice: You must start as a Trainee. You need 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a licensed electrician.
2. Journeyman License: After 8,000 hours (typically 4 years), you apply for the Journeyman exam. The exam is based on the National Electrical Code (NEC). The application fee is $125, and the exam fee is $115.
3. Master Electrician License: Requires a Journeyman license plus an additional 4,000 hours (2 years) of experience. The Master exam is more complex, covering business and law. Fees are similar.
4. Contractor License: To start your own business, you need a Master Electrician license and a separate Electrical Contractor license.

Timeline & Costs:

• Time to Journeyman: ~4 years of full-time work.
• Total Licensing Cost (Journeyman): ~$300 (exam + application). This doesn't count study materials or classes, which can run $500-$1,000.
• Insider Tip: Many community colleges in the area, like North Lake College (Irving校区), offer night classes to help you prepare for the TDLR exam. Some employers will even reimburse these costs.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Choosing where to live in Carrollton impacts your commute, lifestyle, and budget.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Why It's Good for Electricians
Old Town Carrollton	Historic, walkable, near downtown. 15-20 min commute to most jobs.	$1,400	Close to local contractors, great for a small business owner to set up shop.
Castle Hills	Master-planned community, very residential, family-oriented. 20-25 min commute.	$1,350	High demand for residential service calls and new home wiring.
Austin Square	Mixed older and newer homes, central location. 15-min commute.	$1,250	Affordable, central, and close to major roads (I-35E, 121) for quick job access.
The Colony (adjacent)	More affordable, younger demographic, near Lewisville Lake. 20-30 min commute.	$1,200	Lower cost of living, lots of new apartment complexes needing electrical work.
Trails of West Frisco (adjacent)	Upscale, newer homes, excellent schools. 25-35 min commute (traffic-dependent).	$1,500+	Higher-income clientele for premium residential service work.

Insider Tip: If you work for a contractor based in Dallas or Plano, your commute on US-75 or I-635 can be brutal. Living in north Carrollton or The Colony can shave 10-15 minutes off that drive.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year outlook in Carrollton is promising, but growth is about specialization.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Solar & Battery Storage: With Texas' energy market volatility, solar is booming. Certification can add $5-$10/hour.
  • EV Charger Installation: Tesla, ChargePoint, and others are everywhere. This is a fast-growing niche.
  • Industrial Controls/PLC: Working on automated machinery in manufacturing plants can push you into the $85k-$100k range.
  • Data Center Work: Requires high-reliability knowledge and often pays 15-25% above standard commercial rates.

Advancement Paths:

1. Field to Office: Move from journeyman to project estimator or manager.
2. Specialist to Business Owner: Start a small LLC focusing on a niche (e.g., "Carrollton EV Installations").
3. Union vs. Non-Union: Dallas/Carrollton area has the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 20. Union jobs offer structured pay scales, pensions, and benefits, but can be competitive to enter. Non-union shops offer more flexibility and often faster earnings growth in the early stages.

10-Year Outlook: The 11% job growth will likely be filled by electricians who adapt. The old guard is retiring, and the demand is for tech-savvy electricians who understand smart grids, integrated systems, and energy efficiency. Carrollton's proximity to the tech-heavy North Dallas corridor means this trend will be strong here.

The Verdict: Is Carrollton Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Stable, Diverse Job Market (Residential, Commercial, Industrial)	High Competition from electricians in the wider DFW metroplex.
Above-Median Salary relative to cost of living.	Dependent on Car & Traffic – commute times can be long.
Strategic Location next to high-growth cities (Plano, Frisco).	Housing costs are rising, squeezing first-time homebuyers at the median salary.
No State Income Tax increases take-home pay.	Weather – hot summers can make attic work brutal.
Strong Pathways for Specialization in high-demand niches.	Licensing process requires 4 years of documented hours.

Final Recommendation:
Carrollton is an excellent choice for electricians at the mid-to-senior level who want a stable career in a growing metro area without the extreme costs of Austin or the intense industrial focus of Houston. It's ideal for those who value suburban living with big-city access.

For an entry-level electrician, it's a good place to start an apprenticeship, but be prepared for a long path to journeyman. For a family-oriented electrician nearing the senior level, Carrollton offers a great balance of career opportunity and family-friendly neighborhoods. If you're a specialist in solar, EV, or controls, you'll find a welcoming and lucrative market here.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to get a Journeyman Electrician license in Texas?
It takes a minimum of 4 years of full-time (8,000 hours) on-the-job training under a licensed electrician. You must document all your hours and pass the state exam.

2. Is it better to join a union in the Carrollton area?
The IBEW Local 20 offers excellent benefits and pensions, but entry can be competitive. Non-union shops often have more openings and can offer higher pay for specialized skills. It's a personal choice based on your career stage and goals.

3. What's the biggest challenge for electricians in Carrollton?
Traffic and competition. The DFW metroplex is vast, and you will often be driving 30-45 minutes to job sites. Competition is high from both local and Dallas-based electricians, so having a clean record and good references is key.

4. Can an electrician make over $100k in Carrollton?
Yes, but it typically requires specialization (industrial controls, data centers, owning a business) or moving into a management/estimation role. A standard residential/commercial journeyman will likely cap around $75k-$85k unless they take on significant overtime.

5. Are there apprenticeship programs in Carrollton?
Yes. Contact the NECA-IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) Local 20 in Dallas, or check with local contractors like J.C. Electric. Also, inquire at North Lake College for related technical programs that can supplement your training.