IBEW Local 98 Pay Scale 2026 — Philadelphia, PA Wages & Application Dates
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IBEW Local 98 in Philadelphia, PA pays journeyman inside wiremen $70.97/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 — applications for the Inside (Wireman) program are taken annually during the first two full weeks of April; next window expected April 2027 (April 2026 window has passed)..
Applications are handled by Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry (ATEI).
Official application page ↗Status last verified August 30, 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 98 pay scale 2026
Local 98 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 $70.97/hr (2025 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $117.10/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 45% | $31.94 |
| Period 2 | 50% | $35.48 |
| Period 3 | 55% | $39.03 |
| Period 4 | 65% | $46.13 |
| Period 5 | 75% | $53.23 |
| Period 6 | 85% | $60.32 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $70.97 |
Local 98 doesn't publish its apprentice percentage steps — the table shows typical IBEW steps applied to the local's journeyman rate. Rates move with each collective bargaining agreement; confirm current figures with the local before relying on them.
What to know before you apply
Program length: 5 years. Minimum age 18 at time of application, HS diploma or GED, one year of HS Algebra with passing grade. A nonrefundable $40.00 application fee is required, paid at time of application. Applications accepted in person at 1719 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia PA 19130.
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 98 in Philadelphia accept apprenticeship applications?
As of August 30, 2026: Applications are closed right now — applications for the Inside (Wireman) program are taken annually during the first two full weeks of April; next window expected April 2027 (April 2026 window has passed).. 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 98 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 98 is $70.97/hr (2025 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $117.10/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 45% and stepping up each period.
How much do IBEW Local 98 apprentices make?
A first-period IBEW Local 98 apprentice earns about $31.94/hr — 45% of the $70.97/hr journeyman scale — and steps up each period to $60.32/hr in the final period before turning out at full scale. Local 98 doesn't publish its own percentage steps, so these use typical IBEW steps applied to the local's journeyman rate.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 98?
Applications go through Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry (ATEI). 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 98 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 Philadelphia
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.