The Electrician's Guide to Wichita Falls, Texas

As a career analyst who’s spent years tracking labor markets across the Lone Star State, I can tell you that Wichita Falls offers a unique blend of affordability and steady demand for skilled trades. It’s not Dallas or Houston, and that’s the point. For an electrician, this city represents a stable market with a lower cost of living that can stretch your dollar further. This guide breaks down exactly what you can expect—no fluff, just the data, local insights, and practical steps to decide if this is your next move.

The Salary Picture: Where Wichita Falls Stands

Let's get straight to the numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market data, the median salary for electricians in the Wichita Falls metro area is $59,500 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of $28.61. This is slightly below the national average for electricians, which sits at $61,550/year. However, this gap is almost entirely offset by Wichita Falls's significantly lower cost of living.

The local job market is modest but stable, with approximately 308 electrician positions actively employed in the metro area. Over the past decade, the region has seen a 10% job growth in this field, which aligns with the national trend for infrastructure maintenance and new construction.

Here’s how salaries break down by experience level in the Wichita Falls area. Keep in mind that these are estimates based on local job postings and industry surveys.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Factors in Wichita Falls
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$42,000 - $50,000	Often begins with apprenticeship programs; residential and light commercial work.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$58,000 - $68,000	Typically holds a journeyman license; works on commercial projects and service calls.
Senior-Level (8-15 years)	$70,000 - $85,000	Often supervises crews; specializes in industrial controls or complex commercial systems.
Expert/Foreman (15+ years)	$85,000+	Project management, estimating, or specialty niches like data centers or healthcare facilities.

Insider Tip: While the median is $59,500, top earners in the area—those with specialties like industrial automation or who work overtime on emergency service calls—can push past $75,000. The key is to move from general residential work to commercial or industrial niches as quickly as possible.

Comparison to Other Texas Cities:

• Wichita Falls: $59,500 median. Cost of Living Index: 88.9.
• Dallas-Fort Worth: ~$65,000 median. Cost of Living Index: ~106.
• Houston: ~$64,000 median. Cost of Living Index: ~98.
• San Antonio: ~$58,000 median. Cost of Living Index: ~92.

While DFW and Houston pay more, their higher living costs consume a larger portion of your income. Wichita Falls offers a competitive wage when adjusted for affordability.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A salary is just a number until you see what’s left for groceries, gas, and savings. Let’s run the numbers for a mid-career electrician earning the median salary of $59,500.

Assumptions:

• Taxes: Using the 2024 tax brackets for a single filer (no dependents, taking the standard deduction), federal income tax, FICA (7.65%), and Texas's 0% state income tax, your effective tax rate is roughly 22%. Your annual take-home pay is approximately $46,400, or about $3,867 per month.
• Housing: The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wichita Falls is $843/month.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Earning $59,500/year)

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Net Income	$3,867	After all taxes.
Rent (1BR Avg)	$843	22% of take-home pay. Well below the recommended 30% threshold.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Water)	$180	Texas summer A/C can spike this.
Car Payment/Insurance	$450	Assumes a modest used truck or sedan, a must for this trade.
Groceries & Household	$400	For a single person or a couple on a budget.
Phone & Internet	$120
Health Insurance	$250	If not provided by employer (common for small shops).
Retirement/ Savings	$300	Important to start early, even if it's a modest 5%.
Gas & Vehicle Maint.	$250	Wichita Falls is spread out; you will drive.
Discretionary/Social	$200	Dining out, entertainment, hobbies.
Total Expenses	$2,993
Monthly Surplus	$874	For emergencies, debt, or saving for a home.

Can they afford to buy a home?
Yes, absolutely. With a monthly surplus of nearly $900, an electrician in Wichita Falls is in a strong position to save for a down payment. The median home price in Wichita Falls hovers around $175,000 - $190,000. A 10% down payment ($17,500 - $19,000) is achievable within 2-3 years of disciplined saving. Your monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) on a $180,000 home would likely be in the $1,100 - $1,200 range, which is still manageable on this salary, especially with a partner's income.

Where the Jobs Are: Wichita Falls's Major Employers

The job market for electricians in Wichita Falls is driven by a mix of healthcare, education, military, and residential construction. You won't find the mega-corporations of a major metro, but you will find stable employers who value long-term tradespeople.

1. United Regional Health Care System: As the city's primary hospital, United Regional is a constant source of work for electricians specializing in healthcare facility maintenance, backup power systems, and medical gas outlets. They employ in-house electricians and contract with local firms for major projects.
2. Sheppard Air Force Base: A major economic engine, Sheppard employs electricians for base housing, infrastructure, and specialized facilities (like training aircraft). Civilian jobs are posted on USAJOBS, and contracted work flows through defense contractors.
3. Wichita Falls Independent School District (WFISD): With over 30 campuses, WFISD has a full-time facilities team, including electricians, for ongoing maintenance and renovation projects. Their bond issues often fund major electrical upgrades.
4. City of Wichita Falls (Public Works): The city government hires electricians for traffic signal maintenance, street lighting, and municipal building upkeep. These are stable, often union-backed positions with excellent benefits.
5. Local Construction Firms (e.g., ERMCO, L&L Electric): These are the backbone of the new construction market. They handle residential wiring, commercial build-outs (like new retail plazas along Kell Blvd), and industrial projects. Hiring trends here are tied directly to the local housing market and commercial development.
6. Industrial Plants (e.g., Electra Steel, Local Manufacturing): While not a heavy industrial hub, Wichita Falls has several manufacturing and processing plants that require industrial electricians for motor control, PLC programming, and plant maintenance. These roles pay a premium for specialized skills.
7. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: Their growing campus in Wichita Falls needs electricians for lab spaces, student housing, and administrative buildings, offering another stable institutional employer.

Hiring Trend Insight: There's a slow but steady shift from purely new construction to more retrofit and maintenance work. Many older commercial buildings and schools are undergoing energy-efficient upgrades (LED lighting, HVAC controls), creating demand for electricians skilled in modern controls and automation.

Getting Licensed in Texas

Texas has a clear, regulated path to becoming a licensed electrician. It’s a process that prioritizes hands-on experience.

Step 1: Become an Apprentice

• Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
• Action: Enroll in an approved apprenticeship program. The most common is through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 970 in Wichita Falls, which offers a structured 4-year program. Alternatively, you can find non-union apprenticeships through local contractors or the Texas Workforce Commission.
• Cost: Apprenticeship programs are often tuition-free or low-cost, with wages increasing yearly as you progress.

Step 2: Become a Journeyman Electrician

• Experience: After completing 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (typically over 4 years), you are eligible to take the journeyman exam.
• Exam: You must pass a nationally recognized exam, most commonly the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Journeyman Electrician Exam.
• Cost: Exam fee is approximately $150. License application fee is $110. Total upfront cost is under $300.
• Timeline: From start to journeyman license, expect 4-5 years.

Step 3: Master Electrician & Contractor License

• Requirement: As a journeyman, you need 2 years (4,000 hours) of additional experience to take the Master Electrician exam. A Master license is required to pull permits and run your own business.
• Cost: Master Exam fee is $150, with a license fee of $110.
• Insider Tip: The TDLR website is your best friend. Keep detailed logs of your work hours—it’s the first thing they’ll ask for.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Where you live in Wichita Falls impacts your commute, lifestyle, and access to job sites. The city is compact, with most major employers clustered in the north and central areas.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for Electricians
Northside/Wichita Hills	Established, quiet, older homes. 10-15 min to downtown/South.	$750 - $900	Close to Sheppard AFB, major schools, and older neighborhoods with steady service work.
Southside	Affordable, diverse, closer to the river & parks. 5-15 min commute.	$700 - $850	Great value. Easy access to new developments along Kell Blvd and the industrial south.
Midtown/ Downtown	Urban, walkable, historic buildings. 5-10 min commute.	$900 - $1,100	Ideal for project-based work in the city core. The loft apartments are cool, but rent is higher.
Pleasant Valley	Family-oriented, suburban feel. 15-20 min to most job sites.	$800 - $950	Good schools, safe, and a quick commute to the northern commercial corridor.
Burkburnett Area	Small-town, 15 mins north of Wichita Falls. Lower rent.	$650 - $800	If you want more land and don't mind a short commute to Sheppard or the north side.

Commute Note: Traffic in Wichita Falls is virtually non-existent compared to major metros. Your "commute" will almost always be under 20 minutes, regardless of where you live.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Stagnation is the enemy of a good tradesperson. Here’s how to advance your career in Wichita Falls.

Specialty Premiums:

• Industrial Electrician: +10-15% above median. Requires knowledge of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), motor controls, and instrumentation.
• Controls Specialist: +15-20% above median. This is the future—working with building automation systems (BAS) for HVAC and lighting. Critical for hospitals and large commercial buildings.
• Low-Voltage/Structured Cabling: +5-10% above median. Certification in fiber optics, security systems, and data cabling is in high demand for new construction.
• Emergency Service/On-Call: Electricians who take on-call rotations for 24/7 service companies can add $5,000 - $10,000 annually in overtime pay.

Advancement Paths:

1. Journeyman (Years 1-4) -> Master Electrician (Years 5-7) -> Electrical Contractor (Start your own business).
2. Journeyman -> Project Foreman -> Project Manager (in a construction firm).
3. Specialize Early: Get certified in solar (PV) installation. Texas is a growing solar market, and Wichita Falls has ample sun. This can open up a parallel career path.

10-Year Outlook:
The 11% projected growth over the next decade is promising. The drivers will be:

• Aging Infrastructure: Replacing old wiring in schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings.
• Renewable Energy: Solar panel installation and battery storage systems.
• Data Centers: With the growth of tech in Texas, even secondary markets like Wichita Falls could see small-scale data center projects needing specialized electricians.

The Verdict: Is Wichita Falls Right for You?

Here’s the unvarnished breakdown.

Pros	Cons
Extreme Affordability: Your salary goes much further here. Homeownership is very attainable.	Limited Nightlife/Culture: It's a quiet, family-oriented city. Don't expect the big-city amenities.
Stable, Predictable Job Market: Steady demand from institutions, not boom-bust cycles.	Lower Ceiling: Top-end salaries are capped below major metros. You need to specialize to maximize earnings.
Short Commutes & Minimal Traffic: More time for family, hobbies, or side work.	Hot Summers, Windy Winters: The climate can be harsh. Your utility bills will spike in July/August.
Close-Knit Trade Community: Easy to build a reputation and network with other electricians.	Fewer Large Employers: Job hopping is less common; you may work for the same company for years.
Strong Military & Healthcare Base: Sheppard and United Regional provide recession-proof jobs.	Geographic Isolation: 2-3 hours from DFW or Oklahoma City. Travel for specialized training is a must.

Final Recommendation:
Wichita Falls is an excellent choice for electricians who value stability, affordability, and work-life balance over chasing the highest possible salary. It's ideal for:

• Early-career apprentices wanting a manageable cost of living while they learn.
• Journeymen with families looking to buy a home and settle down.
• Masters or specialists who want to start their own contracting business in a supportive market.

If you're a young single professional who craves constant entertainment and networking opportunities, you might feel limited. But for the vast majority of skilled tradespeople, Wichita Falls offers a quality of life that's hard to beat.

FAQs

1. Is the job market saturated with electricians?
No. With only 308 positions and steady growth, the market is balanced. There's always room for a qualified, reliable electrician, especially one with journeyman or master status. The key is to avoid being a generalist; specialize in a niche like industrial controls or healthcare to stand out.

2. How does the weather affect an electrician's work?
Significantly. Texas summers are brutal, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F. This makes attic and rooftop work dangerous and strenuous. Most companies adjust schedules early in the day. Winters can bring ice storms, which create emergency call-outs for downed lines but also dangerous travel conditions. Always factor in proper gear and vehicle maintenance.

3. Can I make more money commuting to a larger city?
It's not practical. The commute to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is over 2 hours each way. Fuel, vehicle wear, and lost time would negate any slight salary increase. The local market in Wichita Falls is designed to support a living wage that matches its cost structure.

4. What's the best way to find a job here as an out-of-state electrician?
First, verify your license reciprocity with Texas. States like Louisiana and New Mexico have reciprocity. If not, you'll need to go through the Texas licensing process (see above). Once licensed, contact Local 970 IBEW, check the Texas Workforce Commission job board, and directly apply to the major employers listed (United Regional, WFISD, etc.). Networking in a small city is powerful—a personal recommendation goes a long way.

5. Is there a demand for residential vs. commercial work?
Both are steady, but commercial/industrial is where the higher pay and job security are. Residential work is more dependent on the housing market and is often done by smaller shops. For long-term growth, aim to get into commercial projects as soon as you have your journeyman license. The mix of institutional work (hospitals, schools) and light industrial