The Electrician's Guide to San Angelo, TX: A Career Analysis

As someone who's watched San Angelo's electrical trade evolve over the last two decades—through military base expansions, downtown revitalization, and the constant hum of oil and gas service work—I can tell you this city has a unique rhythm for electricians. It's not the booming construction frenzy of Austin or Dallas, but it's steady, reliable, and pays a solid middle-class wage with a cost of living that lets you actually keep it.

Let's break down the numbers, the neighborhoods, and the real day-to-day of being an electrician in the Concho Valley.

The Salary Picture: Where San Angelo Stands

First, the hard data. According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) figures for the San Angelo metropolitan area (which includes Tom Green County), the median salary for an electrician is $59,869 per year. That translates to an hourly rate of $28.78. It's important to frame this correctly: this is the median, meaning half of all electricians in the metro earn more, and half earn less.

For context, the national average for electricians is $61,550/year. San Angelo sits just slightly below the national mark, but the real story is in the local purchasing power. With a cost of living index of 90.9 (where the U.S. average is 100), that $59,869 goes significantly further here than it would in most other cities.

The local job market is small but stable. There are 291 jobs for electricians in the metro area. The 10-year job growth is projected at 11%, which is solid, outpacing many rural markets. This growth isn't fueled by massive tech campuses, but by a mix of steady residential demand, ongoing military base operations at Goodfellow AFB, and the perpetual need for service and repair work.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in San Angelo, based on local job postings and trade union data:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$45,000 - $52,000	Residential rough-in, conduit bending, assisting journeymen, basic troubleshooting.
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$55,000 - $65,000	Commercial wiring, service calls, reading complex blueprints, running small crews.
Senior-Level	8-15 years	$65,000 - $78,000	Project management, specialty systems (HVAC controls, fire alarms), mentoring apprentices.
Expert/Owner	15+ years	$80,000+	Business ownership, complex industrial work, consulting, large-scale project bids.

How San Angelo Compares to Other Texas Cities

San Angelo's salary is competitive within its peer group of mid-sized Texas cities, especially when factoring in the low cost of living.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (U.S. Avg = 100)	Take-Home Value
San Angelo	$59,869	90.9	High
Lubbock	$60,200	89.5	High
Midland	$68,500	105.2	Moderate
San Antonio	$62,100	93.5	Moderate
Dallas-Fort Worth	$64,300	104.5	Low
National Avg	$61,550	100.0	Baseline

The takeaway: While a journeyman in Midland might gross more, their dollar stretches less. San Angelo offers a sweet spot of respectable pay and affordability.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. If you’re earning the median salary of $59,869, what does your budget actually look like?

Assumptions for a single filer with no dependents:

• Federal Tax (22% bracket): ~$6,800
• FICA (7.65%): ~$4,580
• Texas State Tax: $0 (no state income tax)
• Net Annual Income: ~$48,489
• Net Monthly Income: $4,041

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Housing (1BR Apt): $927 (avg for San Angelo)
• Utilities (Electric, Water, Trash, Internet): $180
• Groceries: $350
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: $450
• Health Insurance (if not employer-provided): $300
• Retirement Savings (10%): $404
• Miscellaneous (Dining, Entertainment, Hobbies): $430
• Remaining: $1,000

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in San Angelo is around $220,000. With a $1,000 monthly surplus, a 20% down payment ($44,000) could be saved in about 3.5 years. A 30-year mortgage at 6.5% would have a monthly payment (PITI) of roughly $1,400, which is very manageable on a $59,869 salary, especially if you have a dual-income household. This is a key advantage over larger Texas metros where homeownership is increasingly out of reach for single-income tradespeople.

Where the Jobs Are: San Angelo's Major Employers

The job market here is diverse, leaning heavily on institutional, military, and residential work. Here are the key players:

1. Goodfellow Air Force Base: The single largest employer in the region. Civilian electricians work on base housing, training facilities, and infrastructure. Jobs are posted on USAJOBS.gov and are highly competitive due to federal benefits. Security clearance is a major plus.

2. San Angelo Independent School District (SAISD): Maintains over 30 campuses. Their in-house facilities team is always hiring maintenance electricians. It’s stable, unionized work with excellent hours and school-year schedules.

3. City of San Angelo (Utilities Department): Manages the municipal electric utility. They hire line workers, substation technicians, and commercial electricians. These are some of the best-paying jobs in the local trade, with strong pensions.

4. Christus Health (Shannon Medical Center): The region's primary healthcare system. They employ facilities electricians to manage critical systems for hospitals and clinics. Work is 24/7, often requiring on-call shifts, but pay is above average.

5. Residential Builders & Contractors: The housing market is steady. Companies like Bridges Built, Rafter B Construction, and local developers building in areas like Sunset Gardens and Southland are always looking for licensed electricians for new construction and remodels. This is where you'll find the most opportunity for immediate hiring.

6. Oil & Gas Service Companies: While not as dominant as in Midland-Odessa, companies servicing the nearby Permian Basin operations (like Key Energy Services or Basic Energy Services) hire electricians for equipment maintenance and field service work. This involves travel but comes with premium pay.

Hiring Trends: Demand is strongest for journeyman electricians (4+ years experience). There’s a notable shortage of service electricians specializing in troubleshooting and repair. New construction is steady but not explosive, so service and maintenance roles offer more job security.

Getting Licensed in TX

Texas has a clear, structured path to licensure, administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Path to Journeyman License:

1. Apprenticeship: Complete a recognized 4-year (8,000-hour) apprenticeship program. This can be through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 580 in San Angelo, a non-union program, or an on-the-job training agreement.
2. Classroom Hours: Complete a minimum of 4,000 hours of classroom instruction (often part of the apprenticeship).
3. Exam: Pass the Texas Master Electrician Exam. (Yes, to be a journeyman, you take the master exam. It's a Texas quirk.)
4. Application: Submit your application, verification of hours, and exam results to the TDLR. The license fee is $120.

Total Time to Start Working: You can start as an unlicensed helper immediately. Becoming a licensed journeyman takes a minimum of 4 years. The total cost for the entire process (exam fees, application, textbooks) is typically $400-$600.

Insider Tip: The IBEW Local 580 apprenticeship is one of the best routes in Texas. It offers structured training, competitive wages while you learn, and a direct pipeline to union jobs on large commercial projects and at Goodfellow AFB. Contact their hall in San Angelo for application periods.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a local’s breakdown:

1. North San Angelo (Near Goodfellow AFB):

   • Vibe: Quiet, established, with many older ranch-style homes. Great proximity to base jobs.
   • Commute: 5-15 minutes to most major employers.
   • Rent Estimate: $850 - $1,100 for a 1BR.
   • Best For: Electricians working on-base or for the city. Low traffic.

2. South San Angelo (Near Shannon Medical Center):

   • Vibe: More suburban, with newer subdivisions and good schools. Close to shopping and hospitals.
   • Commute: 10-20 minutes to downtown or base.
   • Rent Estimate: $900 - $1,200 for a 1BR.
   • Best For: Those working at the hospital or in residential construction. Family-friendly.

3. Downtown/Concho Avenue:

   • Vibe: Historic, walkable, with older apartments and a growing arts scene. Nightlife is here.
   • Commute: 5-10 minutes to most jobs. You could bike or walk to work.
   • Rent Estimate: $750 - $1,000 for a 1BR (often with more character).
   • Best For: Younger, single electricians who want an urban lifestyle without the big-city price tag.

4. Lake Nasworthy Area:

   • Vibe: Recreation-focused, with lakefront properties and a more relaxed pace.
   • Commute: 15-25 minutes to downtown.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,000 - $1,400 for a 1BR (higher for lake views).
   • Best For: Those who prioritize outdoor hobbies like boating and fishing. A bit more of a drive for daily work.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In San Angelo, career growth is less about vertical promotion into corporate management and more about specialization and business ownership.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Industrial/Instrumentation: Working on oil & gas equipment or large manufacturing. Can add $10,000-$15,000 to your base salary.
  • Low-Voltage/Security/Fire Alarms: Specialized certifications (like NICET for fire alarms) are in high demand for commercial projects. Premium: $5,000-$8,000.
  • Solar/Alternative Energy: While not huge yet, there's growing demand for residential solar installations. Premium: $3,000-$6,000.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Journeyman -> Foreman: Overseeing a crew on a construction site. Requires leadership skills.
  2. Journeyman -> Service Manager: Running the service department for a contracting company.
  3. Journeyman -> Business Owner: Starting your own electrical contracting company. This is the most lucrative path. San Angelo has a supportive small-business community, but you'll need to master bidding, insurance, and marketing.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 11% job growth is real. The driver will be maintenance and upgrades of aging infrastructure (residential and commercial) and continued military spending. The rise of smart home technology and EV chargers will create new service niches. The biggest risk is a downturn in the oil & gas sector, which can ripple through the local economy.

The Verdict: Is San Angelo Right for You?

Pros	Cons
High Purchasing Power: Your $59,869 salary buys a comfortable life.	Limited Nightlife/Scene: It's a quiet city. If you crave constant concerts and trendy restaurants, look elsewhere.
Stable Job Market: Federal and municipal jobs provide recession-resistant employment.	Dependent on a Few Employers: A slowdown at Goodfellow or the oil fields can affect the job market.
Short, Easy Commutes: 10-20 minutes to work is the norm.	Smaller Trade Community: Fewer networking events and trade shows compared to major metros.
Outdoor Access: Lake Nasworthy, hiking, hunting, and fishing are minutes away.	Growth is Steady, Not Explosive: Don't expect rapid career jumps or startup frenzy.
Strong Sense of Community: People know each other; reputation matters in the trades.	Limited Diversity in Work: You may work mostly on residential, commercial, and military, with less variety than a large city.

Final Recommendation: San Angelo is an excellent choice for electricians who value stability, affordability, and quality of life over the high-stakes hustle of a major metropolis. It's ideal for those with a family, who enjoy the outdoors, or who are looking to eventually start their own business in a supportive market. If you're a journeyman with 3-7 years of experience, you'll find immediate opportunities and a strong standard of living. For those seeking the most dynamic, cutting-edge electrical work, you might feel limited.

FAQs

1. Is the licensing process transferable from another state?
Texas has reciprocity with some states, but it's not automatic. You'll need to contact the TDLR and likely provide proof of your out-of-state license and experience. You may need to take the Texas exam. Always check with the TDLR directly before moving.

2. What's the demand for residential vs. commercial work?
Demand is fairly balanced, but with a slight edge to residential service and repair. The housing stock is aging (many homes built 30-50 years ago), creating constant need for upgrades, panel replacements, and troubleshooting. New commercial construction is steady but cyclical.

3. How important is a vehicle?
Essential. San Angelo is spread out, and public transportation is limited. You'll need a reliable truck or van, especially if you move into a service electrician role where you carry tools and parts. A company vehicle is a huge perk if offered.

4. Are there union opportunities?
Yes. IBEW Local 580 is active in San Angelo, particularly for work on Goodfellow AFB, large commercial projects, and municipal contracts. Union wages and benefits are generally above the local median, but opportunities can be competitive. It's wise to get on their waiting list early.

5. What's the best way to find a job quickly?

1. Network: Call local electrical contractors directly. The trade is small, and a personal call can get you a interview faster than an online application.
2. Check City & County Job Boards: The City of San Angelo and Tom Green County post jobs on their official websites.
3. Visit the TDLR Apprenticeship Listings: They list registered programs that are actively hiring helpers.
4. Contact Shannon Medical Center's HR: They often have postings for facilities electricians.

Welcome to the Concho Valley. It's a place where your skills are valued, your paycheck goes far, and you can hear the birds over the power lines. It's a good life for an electrician.