IBEW Local 134 Pay Scale 2026 — Chicago, IL Wages & Application Dates
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IBEW Local 134 in Chicago, IL pays journeyman inside wiremen $61.15/hr on the check. Below: the full apprentice-to-journeyman scale period by period, whether applications are open right now, how the process works, and a free alert the moment the next window opens.
Application status
Always acceptingApplications are accepted year-round.
Registration held every Wednesday, 9:00–11:00 AM, at the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, 6201 W. 115th Street, Alsip, IL; current registration cycle open through February 2027
Applications are handled by Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust (EJATT) / IN-TECH — IBEW-NECA Technical Institute.
Official application page ↗Status last verified August 24, 2026. Source: official JATC/local site. Windows can change on short notice — always confirm details with the JATC before making plans.
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IBEW Local 134 pay scale 2026
Local 134 wages are set by the local's collective bargaining agreement, not negotiated individually — everyone in a classification earns the same scale. The journeyman inside wireman rate is $61.15/hr (2025 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $102.00/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 40% | $24.46 |
| Period 2 | 50% | $30.57 |
| Period 3 | 60% | $36.69 |
| Period 4 | 75% | $45.86 |
| Period 5 | 90% | $55.03 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $61.15 |
Rates move with each collective bargaining agreement; confirm current figures with the local before relying on them.
What to know before you apply
Applicants must report in person during Wednesday registration hours and bring required documents; after applying, applicants receive a study guide for the aptitude test and a date/time for testing. Offer of apprenticeship requires ability to perform essential functions with or without accommodation, plus drug screen, physical exam, and background check.
Be ready before the window opens
The applicants who get in prepped early. 500+ NJATC-format practice questions, timed tests, and an AI mock interview — free to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does IBEW Local 134 in Chicago accept apprenticeship applications?
As of August 24, 2026: Applications are accepted year-round. Application schedules are set by the JATC and can change on short notice — always confirm on the JATC's own site before making plans.
How much does IBEW Local 134 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 134 is $61.15/hr (2025 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $102.00/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 40% and stepping up each period.
How much do IBEW Local 134 apprentices make?
A first-period IBEW Local 134 apprentice earns about $24.46/hr — 40% of the $61.15/hr journeyman scale — and steps up each period to $55.03/hr in the final period before turning out at full scale.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 134?
Applications go through Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust (EJATT) / IN-TECH — IBEW-NECA Technical Institute. The usual process: submit the application with your HS diploma or GED, transcripts showing algebra, and ID; take the aptitude test; then complete a scored interview that sets your rank on the eligibility list.
What test does IBEW Local 134 use?
Most IBEW inside-wireman programs use the Electrical Training Alliance aptitude test (algebra & functions plus reading comprehension); a growing number use the broader GAN battery. Either way, your test score plus interview decide your ranking — prep before the window opens.
Related Resources
More IBEW locals near Chicago
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.
Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.