IBEW Apprenticeship Pay Scale 2026 — What You Earn Each Year

✓ Written by a licensed IBEW journeyman electrician  · ✓ Updated September 2026 · ✓ Reviewed for NEC accuracy

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One of the biggest advantages of an IBEW apprenticeship: you get paid from day one, and your pay increases predictably every year. Here's exactly how the pay scale works and what the dollar numbers look like at different journeyman rates.

How IBEW Apprentice Pay Works

IBEW apprentice pay is a percentage of journeyman rate that increases at scheduled intervals during the apprenticeship. Each local sets its own percentages, but the general structure is similar across the country.

Typical Progression

YearPercentage of JourneymanExample @ $45/hr Journeyman
Year 140-50%$18-22/hr
Year 250-55%$22-27/hr
Year 360-70%$27-32/hr
Year 475-85%$32-37/hr
Year 5100% (journeyman)$45/hr

Benefits Beyond Hourly Pay

  • Health insurance — typically full family coverage from day one
  • Pension contributions — IBEW pensions are among the strongest in the building trades
  • Paid training — classroom instruction is part of the apprenticeship
  • Vacation and holiday pay — per the local agreement
  • Apprentice supplemental benefits — tool stipends, book reimbursements, etc.

Look Up Apprentice Pay at Your Local

The percentage structure is similar across IBEW locals, but the journeyman rate that the percentage is calculated from varies dramatically. Search your local below — tap it to see every apprentice step in real dollars, from period 1 through journeyman scale:

Showing 261 of 261 locals · tap a local for the full apprentice-to-journeyman scale

Rates are base inside-wireman scale from local/JATC wage sheets and union pay databases as of the year shown. Scales change with each contract — always confirm current rates with the local before making decisions.

Major urban locals (Chicago 134, NYC 3, LA 11) run $50-60+/hr journeyman; mid-sized locals (Atlanta 613, Phoenix 640, Seattle 46) run $35-45/hr; smaller Southern and rural locals run $28-35/hr. That means a 50% year-1 apprentice in Chicago 134 earns more than a year-3 apprentice in a smaller Southern local.

Bottom line: Even at the bottom of the apprentice scale, you’re earning a livable wage with benefits — while learning a trade that ends in a 6-figure journeyman salary in many markets.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do IBEW apprentices make?

IBEW apprentices typically earn a percentage of journeyman scale that increases each year: 40-50% in year 1, rising to journeyman scale (100%) by year 5. Actual dollar amounts vary by local — a year-1 apprentice in a high-rate local can earn $20-25/hour.

Do IBEW apprentices get benefits?

Yes. IBEW apprentices typically receive health insurance (often full family coverage), pension contributions, paid training, and other contractual benefits from day one of the apprenticeship.

How much does an IBEW apprentice make per year?

Year 1 IBEW apprentices typically earn $35,000-$50,000 in base wages depending on the local, working a standard 40-hour week. Year 5 apprentices earn at journeyman scale — often $80,000-$120,000+.

Does IBEW apprentice pay include overtime?

Apprentice pay percentages apply to overtime as well. If the journeyman OT rate is $70/hr, a 50% apprentice earns $35/hr on OT.

Related Resources

Free IBEW aptitude practice test

IBEW pay scales — journeyman wages by local

Apprenticeship requirements

Electrician salary by state

IBEW vs non-union — pay & benefits

Michael — IBEW Local 134 Journeyman Electrician and pre-apprenticeship instructor

Michael Briglio

IBEW Local 134 Journeyman · Licensed Contractor · IL Educator

Michael started in the IBEW at 18 and made foreman as a 3rd-year apprentice. Thirteen years in, he’s a Local 134 journeyman, a licensed electrical contractor, a licensed Illinois teacher, and OSHA 30 and EPA 608 certified. He teaches a federally recognized pre-apprenticeship on the south side of Chicago — where he’s helped 100+ students get into the IBEW. He built Sparky AI around exactly what the NJATC exam tests and what trips people up. Prep with this and you walk in ready.

13-yr journeymanLicensed contractorLicensed IL teacherOSHA 30EPA 608100+ into IBEW
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Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.