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.
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IBEW Local 98Philadelphia

IBEW Local 98 Philadelphia Pay 2026

Journeyman base $51.40/hr, total package $79+/hr

Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery counties. Source: Local 98 / NECA Penn-Del-Jersey agreement.

Base Wage51.40USD/hr

Total Package Breakdown

ComponentAmount
Base wage$51.40/hr
Health and Welfare$12.65/hr
Pension$8.25/hr
Annuity / 401(k)$4.60/hr
NEBF$1.54/hr (3% of gross)
Training (JATC)$0.62/hr
Total Package~$79.06/hr

Apprentice Pay Ladder

Period% of JWHourly
Period 140%$20.56/hr
Period 245%$23.13/hr
Period 350%$25.70/hr
Period 455%$28.27/hr
Period 560%$30.84/hr
Period 665%$33.41/hr
Period 770%$35.98/hr
Period 875%$38.55/hr
Period 985%$43.69/hr
Period 1090%$46.26/hr
Journeyman100%$51.40/hr

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IBEW Local 98 base wage in 2026?
IBEW Local 98 inside wireman journeyman base wage is approximately $51.40/hr under the 2025-2026 NECA Penn-Del-Jersey agreement. Total compensation including health and welfare, pension, annuity, and benefit funds reaches roughly $78+/hr total package.
What jurisdiction does Local 98 cover?
IBEW Local 98 covers Philadelphia (City and County), Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Montgomery County in Pennsylvania. Outside this jurisdiction, IBEW Local 380 (Norristown) covers parts of Montgomery County, Local 654 covers Chester County, and Local 269 covers Trenton NJ and surrounding area.
How long is the Local 98 apprenticeship?
Local 98 inside wireman apprenticeship is a five-year program through the Joint Apprenticeship Committee at the John J Dougherty Training Center. Apprentices progress through approximately 10 six-month periods, starting at around 40% of journeyman rate and reaching approximately 90% by Period 10. Full health, pension, annuity, and training contributions throughout.
Is Pennsylvania a prevailing wage state for electricians?
Yes. Pennsylvania has a Prevailing Wage Act (Act 442 of 1961) that requires payment of prevailing wages on public works projects above $25,000. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry publishes prevailing wage determinations by county and trade. For Electrician (BLS 47-2111) in Philadelphia, the published rate typically aligns with the IBEW Local 98 wage and fringe package, effectively making the union scale the floor on Commonwealth and municipal public construction.
What major projects use Local 98 electricians?
Local 98 work commonly includes: Philadelphia Navy Yard redevelopment, University of Pennsylvania and Drexel research facility expansion, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) campus growth, Comcast Center and Comcast Technology Center maintenance, PHL airport modernisation, SEPTA infrastructure projects, and the continuing buildout of the Schuylkill Yards mixed-use district.

Related Pages

Sources: IBEW Local 98 (ibew98.org), NECA Penn-Del-Jersey, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry prevailing wage determinations, unionpayscales.com archive.

Updated 2026-04-27