Electrician in Irving, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Irving Stands

If you're thinking about moving to Irving to work as an electrician, the first thing you need to know is the financial reality. The numbers in Irving are solid, sitting right at the national average but with a lower cost of living than many major metros, which gives you a real advantage.

Based on current data for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area, which includes Irving, the median salary for electricians is $62,159 per year. That translates to an hourly rate of $29.88/hour. It's important to note this figure isn't pulled from thin air; it's consistent with the national average of $61,550/year, meaning Irving electricians aren't underpaid compared to the rest of the country. However, the local job market is robust. There are approximately 763 jobs in the metro area for electricians, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 11%. This is a critical number—it signals steady demand, driven by Irving's ongoing commercial development and residential expansion, outpacing the slow growth seen in some aging industrial hubs.

Breaking down this salary by experience level is key. While the median is a useful benchmark, your actual earnings will depend heavily on your skill set, licenses, and specialization. Here’s a realistic breakdown for the Irving market:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Factors in Irving
Entry-Level	$45,000 - $55,000	Typically apprentice or helper roles. Focus on learning the trade, residential rough-ins, and basic commercial installs.
Mid-Career	$60,000 - $75,000	Journeyman status, independent work. Can handle complex residential projects, commercial service calls, and some industrial work.
Senior/Expert	$75,000 - $95,000+	Master electrician, niche specializations (data centers, HVAC, security systems). Often supervises crews or runs their own business.
Specialty Premium	+$5k to $20k+	Certifications in PLC programming, fire alarm systems, or EV charging station installation can significantly boost pay.

When you compare Irving to other Texas cities, it holds a unique position. It's not the highest-paying city—that crown often goes to Midland/Odessa in the oil patch or Austin for tech-industry electrical work. But Irving's median of $62,159 is competitive with Houston ($62,500) and San Antonio ($59,800), and it's significantly higher than rates in smaller Texas metros. The real differentiator is the blend of salary and cost. While Austin's salaries might be 10-15% higher, its housing costs are often 30-40% higher. Irving offers a "Goldilocks" scenario: strong, stable pay without the extreme financial pressure of a booming tech hub.

Insider Tip: Don't rely on the median alone. In Irving, union shops (like IBEW Local 20, which covers DFW) often pay on a scale that can push you above the median, especially for journeyman and master electricians working on large commercial projects in Las Colinas or DFW Airport. Always ask about the union status and the specific pay scale during interviews.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get down to what you actually bring home and what you can afford. A salary of $62,159 is meaningless without context. Here’s a monthly budget breakdown for a single electrician in Irving, factoring in taxes and housing.

Using standard tax estimates for a single filer (federal, state, FICA), your take-home pay after taxes would be approximately $4,000 - $4,200 per month. This is a conservative estimate; deductions for health insurance, retirement (like a 401k), or union dues will lower this slightly.

Now, the biggest expense: rent. The citywide average for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,291/month. Let's build a realistic monthly budget:

• Take-Home Pay: $4,100
• Rent (1-Bedroom Average): -$1,291
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet): -$200
• Car Payment & Insurance (a near-necessity in DFW): -$500
• Groceries & Household: -$400
• Health Insurance Premium (if not fully covered by employer): -$200
• Miscellaneous/Entertainment/Savings: Remaining $1,509

This budget leaves a healthy cushion for savings, debt repayment, or leisure. The key metric here is the rent-to-income ratio. At $1,291/month, rent is about 31% of your gross monthly salary ($62,159/12 = $5,179). This is considered "affordable" by most financial standards (under 30% is ideal, but 30-40% is manageable).

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, but with caveats. The median home price in Irving is around $275,000 - $325,000. With a 20% down payment ($55k-$65k), a 30-year mortgage at current rates would result in a monthly payment (including taxes and insurance) of roughly $1,800 - $2,100. This is higher than rent but feasible for a mid-career electrician, especially with dual incomes. The process would require disciplined saving for the down payment, but it's not an insurmountable goal after a few years in the trade. The Cost of Living Index of 103.3 (US avg = 100) for Irving confirms this: it's slightly above the national average, but not prohibitively so. You get a city with big-city amenities (DFW Airport, pro sports, major retail) without the crushing costs of coastal metros.

Where the Jobs Are: Irving's Major Employers

Irving's economy is a diverse mix of aviation, healthcare, and corporate headquarters, creating varied opportunities for electricians beyond standard residential work. Here are the key local employers and hiring trends:

1. DFW International Airport: The airport is a massive, self-contained city. It requires electricians for constant maintenance, lighting, baggage systems, and gate operations. Contractors like TKE and Schindler are always hiring for airport service work. Hiring is steady, with a need for journeymen who understand high-security and high-traffic environments.

2. Texas Health Resources (Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas): While the main hospital is in Dallas, it's a massive complex that bleeds into Irving. Hospitals require specialized electricians for medical gas systems, backup generators, and data cabling. Hiring is consistent for facilities maintenance electricians. This is a great path for those seeking stable, salaried positions with benefits.

3. Commercial Construction (Las Colinas & Downtown Irving): Las Colinas is a hub of corporate offices and high-rises. Major construction firms like Hensel Phelps and Manhattan Construction have ongoing projects. Hiring is project-based but frequent. This is where you can earn premium rates for commercial new construction, especially if you have experience with complex systems.

4. Nissan North America Headquarters: Located in Legacy West (bordering Irving), this is a prime example of corporate campus work. It involves everything from office build-outs to EV charging station installations. Facilities management teams and their contracted electricians are always looking for reliable technicians. This is a great way to get into corporate electrical work.

5. The Home Depot & Local Supply Houses (Graybar, Rexel): While not an employer in the traditional sense, these are critical networking hubs. The Irving-area Home Depots and specialized suppliers are where local crews buy materials. Building relationships here can lead to job leads from contractors. Many independent electricians source their jobs through these connections.

Hiring Trend Insight: There's a noticeable shift toward "smart home" and "green building" projects in Irving's newer residential developments (like Valley Ranch) and retrofits in older commercial buildings. Electricians with certifications in energy efficiency (like BICSI for data) or solar are in higher demand.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas has a clear but structured path to becoming a licensed electrician. Unlike some states, Texas doesn't have a single statewide journeyman exam; it's administered by local jurisdictions (like the City of Irving).

1. Start as a Trainee: You don't need a license to be an apprentice. Register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) as an Electrical Trainee. This is a simple online process with a small fee (under $50).
2. Complete Training & Hours: You need 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction over a minimum of 4 years. Most apprentices find work through the IBEW Local 20 JATC (Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee) or non-union programs. The IBEW program is highly competitive but offers excellent training and wages.
3. Pass the Journeyman Exam: Once you have the hours, you apply to take the journeyman electrician exam through the City of Irving's Building Inspection Department. The exam is based on the National Electrical Code (NEC). The fee is around $100-$150.
4. Master Electrician & Contractor License: After working as a journeyman for at least 4 years, you can take the master electrician exam. If you want to start your own business, you'll also need a contractor's license, which requires a $10,000 surety bond and proof of insurance.

Timeline: The entire process from trainee to licensed journeyman typically takes 4-5 years. The biggest hurdle is finding a consistent employer to log your training hours. Insider Tip: The City of Irving offers walk-in exam sessions a few times a year. Check their website religiously and apply the moment you meet the hour requirements.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Your commute and lifestyle matter as much as your salary. Irving is a sprawling city with distinct neighborhoods, each with a different vibe and cost.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Typical Rent (1-BR)	Best For
Las Colinas	Upscale, corporate, walkable parts. Central to major offices. 15-20 min commute to most job sites.	$1,450 - $1,700	Mid-career electricians working corporate jobs; those who want nightlife and amenities.
Valley Ranch	Family-oriented, newer suburban feel. Close to schools and parks. Commute to Las Colinas is 10-15 mins.	$1,300 - $1,500	Electricians with families or those who prefer a quieter, suburban lifestyle.
Downtown Irving (Heritage District)	Historic, charming, more affordable. Growing arts/food scene. Commute to most sites is 15-25 mins.	$1,050 - $1,250	Entry-level electricians on a budget; those who like a tight-knit community feel.
North Irving	Residential, working-class. Close to major highways (I-35E, 114). Commute is easy.	$1,100 - $1,300	Practical electricians prioritizing a short, easy commute to job sites over luxury amenities.
Coppell (adjacent)	Very affluent, excellent schools. Higher cost, but stable. 20-30 min commute to Irving job centers.	$1,600 - $1,900	Senior electricians with families who can afford the premium for the school district.

Insider Tip: For an electrician, proximity to a major highway is gold. Living in North Irving near I-35E or Las Colinas near SH-114 can cut your commute time in half, which is crucial when you're driving to different job sites daily.

The Long Game: Career Growth

An electrician's career in Irving isn't a dead-end job; it's a ladder with several branches. The 11% 10-year job growth means there's room to advance, but you have to be strategic.

• Specialty Premiums: The real money is in specialization. An electrician with a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) certification can earn $85k+ working in the automation systems of DFW Airport or industrial settings. A BICSI-certified technician for data cabling is invaluable in the corporate towers of Las Colinas. EV charging station installation is a booming field, especially with Nissan and other manufacturers pushing electric vehicles.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Master Electrician → Contractor: The classic path. Start your own business, bid on projects, and hire other electricians. The risk is high, but the ceiling is unlimited.
  2. Facilities Manager: Transition from field work to a salaried, 9-to-5 role managing the electrical systems of a hospital, airport, or corporate campus. This offers stability and benefits.
  3. Inspector/Codes Official: With deep NEC knowledge, you can work for the City of Irving's Building Inspection Department. It's a government job with excellent benefits and pension.
  4. Instructor: The JATC programs and local community colleges (like North Lake College) need experienced instructors to train the next generation.

10-Year Outlook: Demand will remain strong. Irving's population is growing, and the city is constantly updating its infrastructure. The push for energy-efficient buildings and the rise of electric vehicles will create new niches. The electrician who embraces technology—learning smart systems, renewable energy integrations, and advanced diagnostics—will be the one commanding the $95k+ salary in a decade.

The Verdict: Is Irving Right for You?

Irving presents a compelling package for electricians, but it's not for everyone. Here’s a direct comparison:

Pros	Cons
Strong, stable job market with 763 jobs and 11% growth.	Traffic congestion is real; a bad commute can ruin your day.
Above-average salary ($62,159) with a manageable cost of living (Index 103.3).	Summers are brutally hot, which makes outdoor work (like rooftop installs) challenging.
Diverse employer base (airport, hospitals, corporations) provides job security.	Car-dependent city; you'll need a reliable vehicle for work and life.
Pathways for advancement into high-paying specialties and business ownership.	Union presence is strong but not universal; non-union shops may offer lower starting pay.
Access to DFW Metroplex opportunities, expanding your job search beyond city limits.	Rapid development can lead to competition for housing and job sites.

Final Recommendation: Irving is an excellent choice for electricians who are self-starters, comfortable with a fast-paced environment, and seeking long-term stability. It's ideal for mid-career professionals looking to specialize or start a business, and for apprentices who want a robust training ground. If you prioritize a quiet, rural lifestyle or hate driving, look elsewhere. But for the electrician who sees the trade as a career—not just a job—Irving offers the perfect balance of opportunity, pay, and affordability.

FAQs

1. What is the job market like for electricians right now in Irving?
It's very active. The 11% projected growth is currently being felt. Check job boards for postings from DFW Airport facilities, commercial contractors in Las Colinas, and hospital maintenance teams. Networking at supply houses is often more effective than online applications.

2. Do I need to join a union to get a good job in Irving?
No, but it helps. The IBEW Local 20 offers high wages, benefits, and structured training. Many non-union electrical contractors also offer competitive pay, especially for those with specialties. Research both paths; union jobs are common on large commercial projects, while residential and smaller commercial work is often non-union.

3. How does the cost of living compare to nearby Dallas?
Irving is generally more affordable than Dallas proper, especially in neighborhoods like Downtown Irving vs. Dallas's trendy areas. However, parts of Irving (like Las Colinas) can be as expensive as Dallas suburbs. You get more square footage for your rent dollar in Irving on average.

4. What's the biggest challenge for electricians new to Irving?
Commuting. The DFW area is vast, and traffic is a daily reality. If you live in one suburb and work across the metro, you could spend 2+ hours in your car. Prioritize housing near your job site or a major highway. Also, be prepared for the summer heat—it's no joke.

5. Can I work as an electrician in Irving with a license from another state?
Texas has reciprocity with some states, but you must apply through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The process may require you to pass the Texas-specific exam. Contact TDLR directly for your situation. For the City of Irving's journeyman license, you'll likely need to take their local exam regardless of prior licensure.