IBEW Local 743 Pay Scale 2026 — Reading, PA Wages & Application Dates
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IBEW Local 743 in Reading, PA pays journeyman inside wiremen $46.02/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
ClosedApplications are closed right now — unannounced - intake reopens periodically; monitor ibew743.org/apply.
Applications are handled by IBEW Local 743 JATC.
Official application page ↗Status last verified August 21, 2026. Source: official JATC/local site. Windows can change on short notice — always confirm details with the JATC before making plans.
Get alerted when Local 743 opens
Windows at competitive locals can cap out in days. We watch Reading’s application status and email you the moment it opens — so you apply on day one, not day last.
IBEW Local 743 pay scale 2026
Local 743 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 $46.02/hr (2025 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $74.00/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 40% | $18.41 |
| Period 2 | 50% | $23.01 |
| Period 3 | 60% | $27.61 |
| Period 4 | 70% | $32.21 |
| Period 5 | 80% | $36.82 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $46.02 |
Rates move with each collective bargaining agreement; confirm current figures with the local before relying on them.
What to know before you apply
Site banner reads 'Application Intake Now Closed' (2026-08-21). When open, applications are online-only via TradeSchool with a $50 fee. Requirements: 17+, diploma/GED with passing algebra on transcript, valid driver's license, residency in Local 743 jurisdiction (parts of Berks/Chester/Montgomery/Lancaster/Schuylkill). Aptitude test (reading + math) then interview; drug screen upon selection; status notifications by mail. 4-year program: 8,000 OJT hours, class 2 nights/week (3 hrs). 20 Morgan Dr, Reading; (610) 777-8388; jenng@ibew743.org.
Be ready before the window opens
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does IBEW Local 743 in Reading accept apprenticeship applications?
As of August 21, 2026: Applications are closed right now — unannounced - intake reopens periodically; monitor ibew743.org/apply. 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 743 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 743 is $46.02/hr (2025 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $74.00/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 40% and stepping up each period.
How much do IBEW Local 743 apprentices make?
A first-period IBEW Local 743 apprentice earns about $18.41/hr — 40% of the $46.02/hr journeyman scale — and steps up each period to $36.82/hr in the final period before turning out at full scale.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 743?
Applications go through IBEW Local 743 JATC. 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 743 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 Reading
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.