Electrician Apprentice Wages and Salary (2026 Pay Scale)

Last updated on October 27th, 2026.

Electrician apprentice pay depends on your location and the hourly rate of a Journeyman electrician. First-year wages range from an average low of about $9.95 to more than $19 an hour.

In 2026, the average apprentice electrician salary is around $34,841.

If a first year apprentice works 40 hours a week for 50 weeks, they can earn a minimum of $20,000 a year. This salary is based on the lowest-paying state for electrician apprentices.

The starting hourly wage is typically 40% of a journeyman electrician’s rate, regardless of location.

Different Types of Electrician Apprentice Wages

Union

Apprentices attending a union apprenticeship have a set pay scale. An apprentice’s hourly wage depends on on-the-job hours worked and time in school, with satisfactory school progress also required.

The apprenticeship pay scale sets the minimum a union electrical contractor can pay you. You can ask for a raise, although getting one is not guaranteed.

If the problem is missing pay rather than the pay rate, keep your timesheets, payslips and bank statements together. For a dispute involving many payments, your legal adviser can use forensic bank statement analysis to establish what reached your account and compare it with the other records.

If you’re a 2nd year apprentice whose knowledge and effort exceed those of a 4th year apprentice, that difference can support your request.

Non-union 

Apprentices working for non-union electrical contractors typically earn less than union apprentices. This may not be the case in your area: where the union has a smaller presence, wages could be similar.

After a few months, you can consider a raise. Explain how your skills have developed and how your knowledge and work ethic help you contribute more to the job.

If your request for a raise is turned down, keep a positive attitude and continue to do your best. Talk to your supervisor again if you still feel underpaid for your work. You can also look for another job.

How Much Money Does A Journeyman Electrician Earn?

In 2013, journeymen electricians earned an average salary of $50,510, or roughly $25.50 per hour. Your location and union membership can make a large difference to your take-home pay.

Wages are typically higher in northern states than southern states, and in cities than rural areas.

IBEW Journeyman Electrician Pay Scale By Local Union for 2026

The table below shows the 2016 hourly pay rate for an IBEW Inside Wireman.

For pay rates in another electrician classification, visit the IBEW Jobs Board. Its interface lets you search for the classification you need.

Top Five Paying States For Electricians in 2026 (Average):

Alaska – $78,800 year / $37.88 per hour

Illinois – $69,940 year / $33.62 per hour

New York – $69,820  year / $33.57 per hour

Oregon – $68,690 year / $33.02 per hour

New Jersey – $67,570 year / $32.49 per hour

Bottom Five Paying States For Electricians in 2026 (Average):

North Carolina – $40,550 year / $19.50 per hour

South Carolina – $41,820 year / $20.11 per hour

Florida – $41,970 year / $20.18 per hour

Arkansas – $43,150 / $20.74 per hour

Nebraska – $43,790 / $21.05 per hour

Top Five Paying Metropolitan Areas in 2026 For Electricians:

San Fransisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA – $86,670 year

Anchorage, AK – $78,350 year

Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA – $76,300 year

Rockford, IL – $76,080 year

New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ – $75,530 year

Average Electrician Apprentice Salary & Wages

Overtime (hourly wage X 1.5) and double time (hourly wage X 2) are typical in the electrical trade and can add to your yearly earnings. 

As your knowledge and skills grow during your apprenticeship, you can contribute more at work. Your wages can increase every 6 to 12 months (1000 to 2000 hours of work) throughout your apprenticeship.

With IBEW apprenticeships, pay increases follow your hours worked and training level. You also have to maintain your grades, usually above a 75% average, to qualify for those raises.

IEC apprenticeships use a similar apprentice pay system. Starting wages can fall between 40-50% of Journeyman wages in that local chapter.

Hourly rates can rise by 5-10% per 1000 hours worked, provided academic averages stay above 75%. 

These charts from two apprenticeships show how apprentice wages break down by 45% and hours worked.

Each apprenticeship has its own arrangements for wages and pay increases.

For electrician apprentice wages in your area, contact an IBEW or IEC apprenticeship near you.

Rates differ between cities and states. Some people take more time off than others. When there is not enough local work, some travel or apply for unemployment.

Each of these factors can affect your yearly earnings.