Short answer: first-year IBEW/NECA inside apprentices in these 18 metros start between US$17.02 an hour (Cleveland, 35% of journeyman) and US$31.70 (Oakland), usually 35% to 60% of the local journeyman rate, with raises as you log hours and pass classes.
Only dated figures from each program’s own wage sheet or a state wage determination, checked October 9, 2026. Rates change with each agreement; the source link is the final word.
First-year pay by JATC
| Metro | Program | First-year apprentice (per hour) | Journeyman (per hour) | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | Alaska JEATT (Local 1547) | 55% = US$31.59 | US$57.44 | April 1, 2026 | JATC wage table |
| Austin, TX | Austin ETA (Local 520) | 55% = US$21.07 | US$38.30 | January 5, 2026 | JATC |
| Boston, MA | Boston JATC (Local 103) | US$27.51 | not on the JATC page | September 1, 2026 | JATC |
| Chicago, IL | EJATT (Local 134) | 40% = US$25.26 | US$63.15 | June 2026 program sheet | JATC |
| Cleveland, OH | Cleveland (Local 38) | 35% = US$17.02 | US$48.63 | April 27 to October 25, 2026 | Local 38 wage sheet |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | North Texas JATC (Local 20) | 50% = US$20.33 | US$40.65 | 2026 wage table | JATC |
| Fresno, CA | Central California ETI (Local 100) | 45% = US$23.40 | US$52.00 | September 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027 | JATC wage sheet |
| Indianapolis, IN | ETI Indianapolis (Local 481) | US$22.90 | US$48.90 | June 2026 notice | JATC |
| Kansas City, MO | Kansas City JATC (Local 124) | 45% = US$25.65 | US$57.01 | contract September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027 | JATC |
| Memphis, TN | Memphis JATC (Local 474) | 60% = US$22.95 | US$38.25 | August 3, 2026 to July 31, 2027 | JATC |
| Minneapolis, MN | Minneapolis JATC (Local 292) | 45% = US$27.90 | US$62.00 | May 1, 2026 | JATC |
| Nashville, TN | Nashville JATC (Local 429) | 60% = US$22.09 | US$36.82 | June 1, 2026 | JATC packet |
| Oakland, CA | Alameda County (Local 595) | US$31.70 | US$79.25 | 2026-2 determination, issued August 22, 2026 | California Department of Industrial Relations |
| Oklahoma City, OK | ETA of Western Oklahoma (Local 1141) | US$21.83 | US$43.65 | June 1, 2026 | JATC brochure |
| Portland, OR | NIETC (Local 48) | 40% = US$26.20 | US$65.50 | January 1, 2026 | JATC |
| Sacramento, CA | Sacramento JATC (Local 340) | 45% = US$24.17 | US$53.70 | August 1, 2026 | Local 340 wage sheet |
| San Antonio, TX | South Texas JATC (Local 60) | 51% = US$19.79 | US$38.80 | July 6, 2026 to May 30, 2027 | JATC wage sheet |
| San Diego, CA | ETI San Diego (Local 569) | 40% = US$23.58 | US$58.95 | 2026-2 determination, issued August 22, 2026 | California Department of Industrial Relations |
Program names belong to their owners. Percentages are of the journeyman rate where the source states them. Benefits (health, pension) are on top of these hourly rates at most programs.
What moves your pay
- Hours and classes: most programs raise pay by period as you log on-the-job hours and pass each school year (for example North Texas: 50% at the start, 52.5% at 800 hours).
- Your local’s agreement: the journeyman rate, and so your percentage, is set by the local agreement and changes on its effective date.
- Getting in: the aptitude test and interview decide when you start earning. Most programs that name their test use the electrical training ALLIANCE test: 33 algebra questions in 46 minutes and 36 reading questions in 51 minutes.
See which test each JATC uses and who is open.
Ready to start earning? Check where you stand with the free timed aptitude practice.
U.S. Edition: 1,300 math and 216 reading questions, 6 timed simulations, interview prep and a guide to 49 JATCs. One payment, files yours to keep.
Questions people ask
How much does a first-year IBEW apprentice make?
In the 18 metros we checked on October 9, 2026, first-year inside apprentices start between US$17.02 an hour (Cleveland) and US$31.70 (Oakland), usually 35% to 60% of the local journeyman rate.
What percentage of journeyman pay do IBEW apprentices earn?
It depends on the local agreement. Published first-period rates range from 35% (Cleveland) and 40% (Chicago, Portland, San Diego) to 55% (Austin, Alaska) and 60% (Memphis, Nashville).
Do IBEW apprentices get raises?
Yes. Programs raise pay by period as you log on-the-job hours and pass classes; North Texas, for example, goes from 50% to 52.5% at 800 hours and reaches 80% in the last year.
Which IBEW local pays first-year apprentices the most?
Among the 18 programs with dated figures we checked, Oakland (Local 595, US$31.70) and Anchorage (Local 1547, US$31.59) start highest.
Where do these apprentice pay figures come from?
Each figure comes from the program’s own dated wage sheet, its local union’s wage sheet or the California Department of Industrial Relations wage determination, linked in the table and checked October 9, 2026.
Change log
October 9, 2026: page published; every rate from a dated official source checked October 9, 2026. Next re-check: January 2027. Spot an error? Email hello@tsaielectro.com and we correct it within 48 hours.
