Entry-Level Electrician Salary in Denton, TX: $34,709 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electricians entering the Denton, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $34,709 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 47-2111, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Denton's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,155 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($51,037) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the electrical field in Denton, TX, the starting electrician salary is projected to be around $34,709 in 2026. New graduates can expect this entry-level pay to be significantly lower than the city's median salary of $51,037. However, there is room for growth; as one gains experience, salaries can increase, moving from the entry-level range to the 25th percentile at approximately $39,867 within the first few years. Denton represents a favorable market for budding electricians, with a healthy demand for skilled trade workers. Graduates can anticipate a structured career trajectory with opportunities for advancement in salaries as they acquire practical skills and additional certifications.
About the Denton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Denton
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denton
Entry-level electricians in Denton, TX typically start between $34,709 and $39,867 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,397 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $51,037 — 20.91% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical program cost in Texas of $11,000 represents just 31.69% of the starting electrician pay ($34,709/year) in Denton. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect registered apprenticeship training through NECA/IBEW JATCs or independent electrical contractors. Costs cover union dues, tools, books, and related technical instruction. Non-union trade school pathways cost more but are shorter.
ELEC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Denton
- 1Research the Denton market: entry-level electrician pay ranges from $34,709 to $39,867, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical field — employers in TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Denton, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Denton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Denton's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Electrician Compensation Range
The electrician wage spread in Denton is $44,397 ( 127.91%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $34,709, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,106.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,631
2025 BLS Actual
$33,988
2026 Current Est.
$34,709
2019–2027 Growth
+33.1%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Denton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,631 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,508 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,843 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,664 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,571 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,988 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,709 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,444 | Projected |
Entry-level electrician compensation (10th percentile) in Denton, TX grew 27.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,631 in 2019 to $33,988 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $35,444. New graduates entering the Denton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your electrical Career in Denton
Several local employers, including union operations like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and non-union contractors under the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) apprenticeship programs, actively recruit new graduates. Apprenticeships typically involve a combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction, which can span 4 to 5 years. To boost entry-level pay in Texas, obtaining a journeyman electrician license can be advantageous, as it often leads to better job offers and higher starting salaries. Specific roles, such as industrial controls, present additional earning potential, particularly as industries expand into newer technologies like solar PV and electric vehicle infrastructure. New electricians in Denton should focus on gaining relevant certifications, such as OSHA safety training and specialization in emerging fields, which can facilitate faster ascension in their early careers while aligning with the area’s growth in data centers and advanced electrical work.
More salary data for Denton, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst
Career Analyst
Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical graduates. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Denton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Denton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov