All localsRaleigh-Durham, North Carolina
IBEW Local 553
Journeyman inside wiremen at Local 553 earn $31.07/hr (2025 scale), about $45.71/hr with benefits. Applications: accepting year-round.
Journeyman$31.07/hr
With benefits$45.71/hr
First-step apprentice$13.98/hr
Apprenticeship applications
Accepting year-roundLocal 553 takes applications year-round, so you can apply any time. Status as of October 22, 2026.
Local 553 apprentice pay
Each step is a share of the $31.07 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% | $13.98 | $27,960 |
| Step 2 | 50% | $15.54 | $31,080 |
| Step 3 | 55% | $17.09 | $34,180 |
| Step 4 | 65% | $20.20 | $40,400 |
| Step 5 | 75% | $23.30 | $46,600 |
| Step 6 | 85% | $26.41 | $52,820 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $31.07 | $62,140 |
Base wage only, before overtime and benefits. Rates change with each new agreement, so confirm with the local.