The Electrician's Guide to Georgetown, TX: A Local Career Analysis

As a career analyst who’s watched the Central Texas job market for years, I can tell you one thing about the electrician trade in Georgetown: it’s steady, it’s growing, and it’s far more nuanced than just “fixing wires.” Georgetown sits at a unique crossroads—it’s the historic heart of Williamson County, a booming suburb of Austin, and has its own distinct identity. For an electrician, this means a mix of old-home rewiring, new construction in master-planned communities, and specialized work in healthcare and education.

Let’s cut through the noise. If you’re considering a move here, you need to know the numbers, the neighborhoods, and the real-world logistics of making a living with your toolkit. This guide is built on hard data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), and local market observations. No fluff, just the facts you need to decide if Georgetown is your next career move.

The Salary Picture: Where Georgetown Stands

Let’s start with the paycheck. As of the latest data, the median salary for an electrician in the Georgetown metro area is $61,106 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of $29.38. This figure is remarkably close to the national average of $61,550/year, which is a good sign—it means the local market pays competitively. The Georgetown metro area supports 288 jobs for electricians, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 11%, outpacing the national average for many trades. This growth is driven by residential expansion in Georgetown and the spillover from the Austin tech corridor.

Here’s how that salary typically breaks down by experience level. Note that these are local averages, and specialization can push you into the higher brackets faster.

Experience Level	Typical Years in Trade	Georgetown Average Annual Salary
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$45,000 - $52,000
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$58,000 - $68,000
Senior Journeyman	8-15 years	$69,000 - $80,000
Expert / Master	15+ years / Specialized	$85,000 - $110,000+

How does Georgetown stack up against other Texas cities?

• Austin: Higher salaries (median ~$68,000), but significantly higher cost of living and fiercer competition.
• San Antonio: Slightly lower median salary (~$58,000), with a more stable, military-influenced market.
• Dallas-Fort Worth: Similar median salary, but with a larger, more industrial job pool. The commute in sprawling DFW is a major factor.
• Houston: Higher salaries in the industrial/energy sector (~$65,000+), but with more volatility tied to oil and gas.

Georgetown offers a sweet spot: a salary that holds its own, without the intense pressure of a major metro core. The proximity to Austin allows for salary bump opportunities, but the local market is robust enough on its own.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $61,106 salary sounds solid, but the real question is what’s left after Uncle Sam and your landlord. Let’s run the numbers for a single electrician filing as Head of Household (a common scenario for tradesmen with dependents). This is a rough estimate, but it’s grounded in Texas’s no-state-income-tax policy and current federal brackets.

Estimated Monthly Take-Home:

• Gross Monthly Pay: $5,092
• Estimated Deductions: Federal Tax (12% bracket), FICA, Health Insurance (~$300/mo)
• Net Take-Home: ~$3,950 per month

Monthly Budget Breakdown for an Electrician Earning $61,106/year

• Housing (1BR Apartment): $1,220 (Georgetown average)
• Utilities (Electricity, Water, Internet): $280
• Groceries & Household: $450
• Transportation (Car Payment, Gas, Insurance): $550
• Healthcare & Insurance: $300 (if not fully covered by employer)
• Personal/Discretionary: $600
• Savings/Investments: $550

Can they afford to buy a home?
This is the big question. The median home price in Georgetown hovers around $425,000. For a 20% down payment, you’d need $85,000. With a $61,106 salary, lenders will typically look at a debt-to-income ratio below 43%. A mortgage on a $340,000 loan (at 6.5% interest) would be roughly $2,148 per month (including taxes and insurance).

Verdict: For a single earner, a $61,106 salary makes homeownership in Georgetown a significant stretch without a substantial down payment or a dual-income household. Renting is the more immediate and financially sustainable option for most, but with the 11% job growth, career advancement is a real pathway to ownership.

Where the Jobs Are: Georgetown's Major Employers

The job market is a patchwork. You won’t find a single mega-employer like Samsung (in Austin) or Tesla (in Bastrop), but a diverse set of opportunities. Here’s a breakdown of who’s hiring:

1. SunPower by Renewable Energy Systems: A major solar installer with a significant presence in Central Texas. They specialize in residential and commercial solar installations, which requires electricians for system integration and grid tie-ins. Hiring trends show a steady demand for licensed electricians with NABCEP certification (solar-specific).
2. Georgetown Utility Systems (GUS): The city’s own utility. They maintain and expand the electrical grid. This is a public-sector job with excellent benefits, stability, and a pension. They hire for line workers, substation technicians, and maintenance electricians. Competition is high, so networking is key.
3. St. David’s Georgetown Hospital: Part of the Ascension health system. They have a full-time facilities/maintenance team. Hospital work is specialized—requiring knowledge of backup generators, medical equipment power, and low-voltage systems. It’s a great niche with a recession-proof employer.
4. Sunset Homes & Scott Felder Homes: Two of the largest local builders in Georgetown’s master-planned communities like Sun City and Berry Creek. They hire electricians for new construction (rough-in, trim, and final). The work is consistent but can be seasonal based on the housing market. This is the best entry point for new electricians.
5. Georgetown ISD: The school district has a dedicated facilities team. School projects range from standard wiring to security system upgrades and LED retrofits. These jobs offer good hours and summers off, making them attractive for those with families.
6. Austin Community College (Georgetown Campus): While not a direct employer for field electricians, the college offers continuing education and certification programs. They also have facilities staff. It’s a hub for networking and upskilling.
7. Independent Mobile/Residential Services: The real growth is in the small contractors. Companies like Georgetown Electric Co. or Lonestar Electrical Services are always looking for journeymen for service calls and remodel work. Building a reputation here can lead to your own business.

Insider Tip: The sweet spot for hiring is often in the 3-5 years of experience range. Companies want someone who’s licensed and insured but hasn’t yet commanded a master electrician’s salary. Look for postings in the spring (construction ramp-up) and late summer (preparing for winter service calls).

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas has a clear but strict path to licensure. You cannot perform electrical work for hire without a license. The process is managed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

The Path:

1. Apprenticeship: 4,000 hours of documented field work under a licensed master electrician, plus 288 hours of classroom instruction. Many apprentices go through union programs (IBEW Local 520) or non-union schools like the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Texas Chapter.
2. Journeyman License: After completing apprenticeship hours, you must pass the Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam (based on the National Electrical Code). The exam fee is $160. The license itself is $135 (renewed every 3 years).
3. Master Electrician License: Requires 12,000 hours as a journeyman and passing the Master Electrician exam. This is the path to starting your own business. Exam fee: $160. License fee: $135.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Year 1: Enroll in an apprenticeship program. Start earning ~$18-$22/hr.
• Year 4: Graduate from apprenticeship, apply for Journeyman exam.
• Year 5: Licensed Journeyman. Salary jumps to the $58,000-$68,000 range.
• Year 7+: Consider Master License if you want to own a business.

Insider Tip: Texas is a “reciprocity” state. If you have a journeyman license from another state (with an active NEC-based exam), you may be able to get licensed here without redoing everything. Check the TDLR website for current agreements.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Where you live affects your commute, job options, and lifestyle. Georgetown’s neighborhoods are distinct.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Best For...
Sun City	55+ master-planned community. Very quiet, low crime. 20 min to downtown Georgetown, 40 min to Austin.	$1,350 - $1,500	Electricians specializing in senior-friendly remodels (low-voltage, smart home tech).
Berry Creek	Family-oriented, close to schools. 15 min to downtown, 5 min to I-35.	$1,250 - $1,400	New construction electricians working for builders like Sunset Homes.
Historic Downtown	Walkable, gritty charm. Older homes needing constant rewiring. 5-10 min to everything.	$1,100 - $1,300	Electricians who love troubleshooting old systems and want a vibrant, urban feel.
Wolf Ranch	Newer, upscale, near the outlet mall. 25 min to downtown, 50 min to Austin.	$1,400 - $1,600	Service electricians serving affluent homeowners; closer to the Austin job market.
Serenada	Affordable, working-class. 30 min to downtown, 45 min to Austin via RR 150.	$950 - $1,150	Electricians on a budget who don’t mind a longer commute for lower rent.

Insider Tip: If you work on the east side of I-35 (like in Sun City), your commute to the main commercial corridors is easy. If you live west of I-35 (like in Serenada), you’re in a different world—more rural, but with a longer drive to suppliers like Ferguson Enterprises or Platt Electric.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Georgetown is not a “get rich quick” market, but it’s an excellent place to build a stable, six-figure career. The 11% job growth is your runway.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Solar/ReNEWables: +15-20% over base electrician salary. Certifications here are golden.
  • Data/AV/Controls: Low-voltage systems in smart homes and businesses. +10-15%.
  • Industrial/Manufacturing: If you can pivot to work in nearby Round Rock (Dell) or Taylor (Samsung), industrial electricians earn $75,000-$95,000.
  • Emergency/Service: On-call roles with overtime can push earnings over $80,000 for journeymen.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Field to Foreman: Move from a solo truck to managing a crew for a builder or electrical contractor. Pay jumps to $75,000+.
  2. Specialist to Owner: Start your own small service company. The overhead is low if you start mobile. The real ceiling here is $120,000+, but it requires business savvy.
  3. Corporate Path: Move into facilities management for a large employer (e.g., St. David’s, Georgetown ISD). This trades overtime for a 40-hour work week and benefits.

10-Year Outlook: The electrician trade is recession-resistant. As Georgetown’s population (currently 96,317) continues to grow, and as the Austin metro expands north, demand for all electrical work will remain strong. The key will be adapting to new technologies—solar, EV chargers, smart home integration, and energy storage systems. An electrician who embraces these will be in the top 10% of earners.

The Verdict: Is Georgetown Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, stable job market with 11% growth.	High home prices relative to median electrician salary.
Competitive median salary ($61,106) close to national avg.	Traffic on I-35 is a major headache, especially during rush hour.
Low cost of living (Index 97.6) vs. Austin.	Less union density than Austin or Dallas; more reliance on non-union shops.
Proximity to Austin for higher-paying opportunities.	Limited industrial base; most work is residential/commercial.
Family-friendly amenities and good school districts.	Can feel "suburban" if you crave a big-city vibe.

Final Recommendation:
Georgetown is an excellent choice for mid-career electricians (journeymen) with 3-7 years of experience looking for a stable, affordable base with a clear path to advancement. It’s a terrible choice for a new apprentice expecting to own a home quickly. The sweet spot is renting for 2-3 years, building your savings and experience, then leveraging the 11% growth to jump to a senior role or a master license. If you have a family and value a lower-stress, community-focused lifestyle, it’s hard to beat. If you’re under 30 and want maximum earning potential right now, consider living in Austin and commuting.

FAQs

1. Do I need to be licensed to do electrical work in Texas?
Yes, absolutely. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requires a license for all electrical work for hire. Apprentices can work under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master, but they cannot work independently.

2. What’s the demand for residential electricians vs. commercial?
It’s roughly 60/40 residential/commercial in Georgetown. The residential market is driven by new home construction in communities like Sun City and Berry Creek. Commercial work is steady, focused on retail, healthcare, and schools. There’s less heavy industrial work here compared to Houston or Beaumont.

3. How long does it take to get a journeyman license in Texas?
Typically 4 years of apprenticeship (4,000 hours + classroom). If you have prior experience, you can challenge the exam, but you must prove your hours. The process itself, from application to test day, can take 2-3 months.

4. Is it worth it to join the IBEW Local 520?
For many, yes. The union offers standardized pay (often above the median), strong benefits, and pension plans. However, the entry process is competitive, and you’ll pay union dues. In a non-union market like Georgetown, you have the flexibility to work for multiple shops, which can be a pro or a con depending on your style.

5. What’s the biggest mistake electricians make when moving to Georgetown?
Underestimating the commute. If you take a job in the far north part of the metro area (like Round Rock) but live in the historic downtown, you could be driving 45 minutes each way on I-35. Always map your commute from a potential home to a potential job site before you sign a lease.