IBEW Apprenticeship Pay Scale — What You Earn Each Year
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
| Year | Percentage of Journeyman | Example @ $45/hr Journeyman |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 40-50% | $18-22/hr |
| Year 2 | 50-55% | $22-27/hr |
| Year 3 | 60-70% | $27-32/hr |
| Year 4 | 75-85% | $32-37/hr |
| Year 5 | 100% (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.
How Rates Vary by Local and Region
The percentage structure is similar across IBEW locals, but the journeyman rate that the percentage is calculated from varies dramatically:
- Major urban locals (Chicago 134, NYC 3, LA 11): $50-60+/hr journeyman
- Mid-sized locals (Atlanta 613, Phoenix 640, Seattle 46): $35-45/hr journeyman
- Smaller Southern/rural locals: $28-35/hr journeyman
A 50% year-1 apprentice in Chicago 134 earns more than a year-3 apprentice in a smaller Southern local.
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Take the Free Practice TestFrequently 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.
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Michael B.
IBEW Local 134 Journeyman Electrician · Licensed Electrical Contractor
Michael is a licensed electrical contractor and IBEW Local 134 journeyman with years of field experience. He built Sparky AI after ChatGPT gave him wrong NEC code information on a job — costing him $800 in callbacks. Every answer in Sparky AI is verified against the actual NEC.