IBEW Local 38 Pay Scale 2026 — Cleveland, OH Wages & Application Dates
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IBEW Local 38 in Cleveland, OH pays journeyman inside wiremen $46.63/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.
Applications accepted online 24/7, year-round
Applications are handled by Cleveland Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (CEJATC).
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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Windows at competitive locals can cap out in days. We watch Cleveland’s application status and email you the moment it opens — so you apply on day one, not day last.
IBEW Local 38 pay scale 2026
Local 38 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 $46.63/hr (2025 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $72.08/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 35% | $16.32 |
| Period 2 | 40% | $18.65 |
| Period 3 | 45% | $20.98 |
| Period 4 | 50% | $23.32 |
| Period 5 | 55% | $25.65 |
| Period 6 | 60% | $27.98 |
| Period 7 | 65% | $30.31 |
| Period 8 | 70% | $32.64 |
| Period 9 | 75% | $34.97 |
| Period 10 | 80% | $37.30 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $46.63 |
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 be at least 18 (or 17 with a high school diploma), have a high school diploma or GED, pass the AIR electrical trade aptitude test with a qualifying score of 4, and submit a processing fee; applications are reviewed and interviews scheduled in the order applications are fully completed, and qualified applicants remain on the eligibility list for up to two years.
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 38 in Cleveland 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 38 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 38 is $46.63/hr (2025 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $72.08/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 35% and stepping up each period.
How much do IBEW Local 38 apprentices make?
A first-period IBEW Local 38 apprentice earns about $16.32/hr — 35% of the $46.63/hr journeyman scale — and steps up each period to $37.30/hr in the final period before turning out at full scale.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 38?
Applications go through Cleveland Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (CEJATC). 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 38 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 Cleveland
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.