Independent salary reference. Not affiliated with BLS, IBEW, NECA, or any electrical contractor. All wage figures cite the source; individual earnings vary by employer, certifications, and market.
Home/Apprentice Salary

Updated 17 April 2026

Apprentice Electrician Salary 2026

$15 - $35/hr across 4 years

Apprentices earn while they learn. Starting pay is 40-50% of the local journeyman rate, rising each year. Most apprenticeships run 4-5 years before the journeyman exam.

Year 1 Range

$31k-$42k

Year 4 Range

$52k-$73k

Total OJT Hours

8,000-10,000

Classroom Hours

576-1,000

Pay Progression by Year

Apprentice wages are set as a percentage of the local journeyman rate, increasing each year as skills develop.

YearHourlyAnnual
Year 1$15 - $20/hr$31,200 - $41,600
Year 2$18 - $24/hr$37,400 - $49,900
Year 3$22 - $28/hr$45,800 - $58,200
Year 4$25 - $35/hr$52,000 - $72,800

IBEW/NECA vs IEC Apprenticeship Pay

The two main apprenticeship routes have different pay structures. IBEW journeyman rates are generally higher, so the percentage-based apprentice wages are also higher in absolute terms.

IBEW/NECA (Union)

  • •Year 1: 40-50% of local journeyman rate
  • •In NYC (Local 3): Year 1 ~$23/hr (45% of $58.64)
  • •In Chicago (Local 134): Year 1 ~$21/hr
  • •In LA (Local 11): Year 1 ~$22/hr
  • •Free JATC classroom training included
  • •Health insurance from Year 1 in most Locals
  • •Competitive selection: aptitude test + interview

IEC / ABC (Non-Union)

  • •Year 1: typically $14-$18/hr
  • •Wages set by individual employers
  • •Less geographic variation than union
  • •Tuition-based classroom training ($2k-$6k total)
  • •Benefits vary by employer
  • •Easier to enter: direct employer sponsorship
  • •More flexibility in job and state selection

What the Apprenticeship Includes

On-the-Job Training

8,000-10,000 hours working alongside journeymen. Residential rough-in, commercial fit-out, panel work, conduit, code compliance.

Classroom Instruction

576-1,000 hours over 4-5 years. NEC code, electrical theory, blueprint reading, motor controls, safety (OSHA 10/30).

Journeyman Exam Prep

Final year focuses on NEC mastery. Most states require 70-75% on a proctored exam. Mike Holt and RocketCert are standard study resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a first-year electrician apprentice make?
A first-year electrical apprentice typically earns $15 to $20 per hour ($31,200 to $41,600/yr), starting at 40-50% of the local journeyman rate. IBEW/NECA apprentices often start at the higher end because union journeyman rates are higher. In high-wage markets like New York City, even Year 1 apprentices can earn $22-$28/hr under IBEW Local 3.
How do apprentice wages increase each year?
Apprentice wages increase in steps each year, tied to a percentage of the journeyman rate. Typical progression: Year 1: 40-50%, Year 2: 50-60%, Year 3: 60-75%, Year 4: 75-90%. Most programs have a formal wage schedule reviewed by the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) or IEC chapter each year.
Do IBEW apprentices earn more than IEC apprentices?
Generally yes, because IBEW journeyman rates (the base from which apprentice percentages are calculated) are higher than IEC non-union journeyman rates in most markets. In a market where IBEW journeyman earns $50/hr and IEC journeyman earns $35/hr, the Year 1 IBEW apprentice earns $20-$25/hr vs $14-$18/hr for IEC. The gap narrows in right-to-work states where union density is low.
Can an electrician apprentice earn overtime?
Yes. Electrician apprentices are covered by federal overtime law (1.5x after 40 hours/week) and, for union apprentices, often by the daily overtime provisions of the local collective bargaining agreement (1.5x after 8 hours/day). Apprentices on active construction sites commonly work overtime during peak periods, adding $5,000-$15,000 per year to base apprentice wages.
How competitive is it to get into an IBEW apprenticeship?
Competitiveness varies significantly by local and region. Some IBEW Locals (especially in major metros like NYC, Chicago, LA) have hundreds of applicants for a handful of openings and require pre-apprenticeship programs, aptitude tests, interviews, and sometimes a waiting period. Rural locals may be easier to enter. The IEC (non-union) route is generally easier to enter but requires direct employer sponsorship.
What happens if I fail the journeyman exam after finishing my apprenticeship?
You can retake the journeyman exam. Most states allow multiple attempts, typically after a waiting period of 30-90 days between retakes. You can continue working as a registered apprentice or helper in most jurisdictions while waiting to retake. Study prep resources include Mike Holt Enterprises, RocketCert, and 360training, which publish NEC-based practice exams mapped to each state's exam content.
Next: Journeyman SalaryLicensing RequirementsFull Career Path Guide

Source: BLS OES May 2024 (47-2111). IBEW local wage scales from unionpayscales.com 2025-2026.