All localsBloomington, Illinois
IBEW Local 197
Journeyman inside wiremen at Local 197 earn $48.00/hr (2026 scale), about $74.42/hr with benefits. Applications: accepting year-round.
Journeyman$48.00/hr
With benefits$74.42/hr
First-step apprentice$21.60/hr
Apprenticeship applications
Accepting year-roundLocal 197 takes applications year-round, so you can apply any time. Applications go through the Bloomington-Normal Electrical JATC. Status as of October 23, 2026.
Local 197 apprentice pay
Each step is a share of the $48.00 journeyman rate. Steps usually move every 1,000 hours or six months of work and school.
| Step | % of journeyman | Hourly | Per year at 2,000 h |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | 45% | $21.60 | $43,200 |
| Step 2 | 50% | $24.00 | $48,000 |
| Step 3 | 55% | $26.40 | $52,800 |
| Step 4 | 65% | $31.20 | $62,400 |
| Step 5 | 75% | $36.00 | $72,000 |
| Step 6 | 85% | $40.80 | $81,600 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $48.00 | $96,000 |
Base wage only, before overtime and benefits. Rates change with each new agreement, so confirm with the local.
Getting in
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