All localsScranton, Pennsylvania
IBEW Local 81
Journeyman inside wiremen at Local 81 earn $47.97/hr (2026 scale), about $74.28/hr with benefits. Applications: accepting year-round.
Journeyman$47.97/hr
With benefits$74.28/hr
First-step apprentice$21.59/hr
Apprenticeship applications
Accepting year-roundLocal 81 takes applications year-round, so you can apply any time. Status as of October 23, 2026.
Local 81 apprentice pay
Each step is a share of the $47.97 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% | $21.59 | $43,180 |
| Step 2 | 50% | $23.99 | $47,980 |
| Step 3 | 55% | $26.38 | $52,760 |
| Step 4 | 65% | $31.18 | $62,360 |
| Step 5 | 75% | $35.98 | $71,960 |
| Step 6 | 85% | $40.77 | $81,540 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $47.97 | $95,940 |
Base wage only, before overtime and benefits. Rates change with each new agreement, so confirm with the local.
Getting in
Other Pennsylvania locals
Local 5 · Pittsburgh $49.11Local 56 · Erie $39.57Local 98 · Philadelphia $75.05Local 143 · Harrisburg $40.00Local 163 · Wilkes-Barre $47.79Local 229 · York $40.31Local 375 · Allentown $50.00Local 607 · Shamokin $41.00Local 654 · Boothwyn $52.71Local 712 · Vanport $51.45Local 743 · Reading $46.02Local 812 · Williamsport $38.50