An apprentice electrician in the United States typically earns between $16 and $28 per hour, depending on how far along they are in their apprenticeship, where they work, and whether they’re in a union program. That translates to roughly $33,000 to $58,000 a year before overtime. Pay starts modest but climbs steadily each year, and the path leads to journeyman wages that are significantly higher.
How Apprentice Pay Works
Apprentice electricians aren’t paid a flat rate. Instead, their wages are set as a percentage of what a fully licensed journeyman electrician earns in their area. You start at the bottom of that scale and get automatic raises as you accumulate hours and complete classroom requirements. This structure means your pay is directly tied to the local journeyman rate, so apprentices in higher-cost areas earn more from day one.
A typical union wage progression, based on IBEW Local 520’s 2025 scale, looks like this:
- First year: 55% of journeyman wages
- Second year: 60% of journeyman wages
- Third year: 70% of journeyman wages
- Fourth year: 75% of journeyman wages
Non-union apprenticeships follow a similar stepped structure, though the exact percentages and base rates vary by employer and training program. The overall pattern is the same: you earn more each year as your skills grow, and by your final year you’re making roughly three-quarters of a journeyman’s pay.
What That Looks Like in Dollars
To put real numbers on it, consider that the national mean wage for licensed electricians falls in the range of $60,000 to $65,000 per year. A first-year apprentice earning 55% of that journeyman rate would make roughly $33,000 to $36,000 annually. By the fourth year at 75%, that climbs to around $45,000 to $49,000, all before overtime.
In higher-paying markets, the numbers jump considerably. The top-paying areas for electricians include Washington, D.C. (with a mean electrician salary around $88,860), Washington state ($88,620), Hawaii ($88,280), Illinois ($88,040), and Oregon ($85,330). A first-year apprentice in one of these markets, earning 55% of journeyman wages, could start above $45,000. A fourth-year apprentice earning 75% could top $60,000 before completing the program.
Keep in mind these figures assume a standard 40-hour week. Many electricians, including apprentices, work overtime during busy periods, which can add thousands to annual earnings.
Union vs. Non-Union Pay
Union apprenticeships, typically run through the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) or local joint apprenticeship committees, tend to offer higher base wages and a more structured benefits package. Beyond the hourly rate, union programs often include health insurance, pension contributions, and dedicated apprenticeship training funds. Employers contribute a set amount per hour worked toward these benefits. For example, IBEW apprenticeship contribution rates in various locals range from roughly $0.17 to $0.84 per hour specifically for training funds, on top of wages and other benefits.
Non-union apprenticeships through independent contractors or organizations like IEC (Independent Electrical Contractors) may offer competitive hourly rates, but benefits vary widely by employer. Some provide health insurance and tool allowances, while smaller shops may offer little beyond the paycheck. The trade-off is that non-union programs can be easier to get into, with shorter wait times and less competitive application processes.
What You Pay Out of Pocket
One of the biggest advantages of an electrical apprenticeship over a traditional degree is cost. In most programs, your classroom training is either free or heavily subsidized. Union programs typically cover tuition entirely through training trust funds. Non-union programs may charge modest tuition, but it’s a fraction of what a four-year degree costs, and you’re earning a paycheck the entire time.
Your main out-of-pocket expenses will be tools and work gear. Apprentices are generally expected to build their own tool kit over the course of the program. A basic set of hand tools, a quality multimeter, and required safety equipment can run $500 to $1,500 over the first year or two, with costs tapering off as your collection fills out. Some employers provide specialty tools or offer tool allowances to offset this. You’ll also need steel-toed boots and appropriate work clothing, which you’d replace periodically regardless.
Books and study materials for the classroom portion typically cost a few hundred dollars total across the full program. Some employers will reimburse these costs, particularly if you commit to staying with the company after completing your training.
What Comes After the Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship typically lasts four to five years, combining around 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 576 or more hours of related classroom instruction. Once you complete the program and pass your licensing exam, you become a journeyman electrician, and your pay jumps to 100% of the journeyman rate.
That jump is significant. Going from 75% to 100% of the journeyman wage means an immediate raise of roughly 33% on your last apprentice rate. From there, electricians who pursue a master electrician license, specialize in high-demand areas like industrial controls or renewable energy, or move into project supervision can push earnings well above the averages. The apprenticeship years are an investment in skills that pay off for decades.