In short
Trade apprentices are paid a percentage of the journeyworker rate, often starting around 40 to 50 percent and rising every six months or every 1,000 hours to roughly 90 percent near the end. Federal rules require registered programs to have a progressively increasing wage schedule. With electrician pay of $49,430 at the 25th percentile, first-year apprentices usually earn less than that.
A typical ladder
| Period | Share of journey rate | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First 6 months | 45% | $16.20 |
| Year 2 | 55 to 60% | $19.80 to $21.60 |
| Year 3 | 65 to 70% | $23.40 to $25.20 |
| Year 4 | 75 to 80% | $27.00 to $28.80 |
| Year 5 | 85 to 90% | $30.60 to $32.40 |
Every program publishes its own schedule, and some start lower or higher. Ask for the wage sheet before you accept.
What else counts as pay
Union apprentices often get health insurance and pension contributions on top of the hourly rate. Overtime usually pays time and a half. Some programs pay for class time; most do not.
Work out your own numbers
Use the apprentice pay calculator with your local rate, or tell us your ZIP to see training options.
How full journeyworker pay compares
| Trade | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | $49,430 | $63,190 | $83,940 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters | $50,190 | $63,800 | $85,110 |
| HVAC mechanics | $48,360 | $61,010 | $77,060 |
| Structural ironworkers | $49,880 | $62,780 | $82,660 |
| Welders | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 |
Yearly wages, U.S., BLS OEWS May 2025.
Straight answers
How much does a first-year electrician apprentice make?
Commonly 40 to 50 percent of the local journeyman rate. In most areas that is well under the national median of $63,190 a year.
How often do apprentices get raises?
Most programs raise pay every six months or every 1,000 hours worked, often only after you pass that period's classes.
Do apprentices get benefits?
Union apprentices usually do. In merit shop programs it depends on the employer.
Is apprentice pay taxed like a normal job?
Yes. Apprentices are employees, so wages are taxed the same way.