I went to a community college for electrical & instrumentation associates, first job interned full time as an industrial maintenance electrician starting at $22.20 this is my 2 year now i’m now at $33.60 I love you my trade EDIT: Currently at $37.45
i really love fixing things around the house and my job is getting physically/mentally taxing...working as a nurse practitioner and I want to get into trades...how long do you think it will take for me become a master electrician ?
If I had to guess he probably passed his journeyman test already, in California you can take the test as soon as you get your E.T. Card you can take it and although you won’t be treated like a journeyman but you’ll be pretty damn close
Started at $19 and ended the year at $24. I’m a journeyman now at $86 Local companies were picking people up from the school while in class. There is such a need for people in the trades.
Im in NY, on Long Island. So the pay here a good bit higher than other parts of the country due to cost of living. Im Union, i started as a “helper” which is a pre apprenticeship worker making $15 an hour. The apprenticeship here is 5 years long and once you finish the journeyman rate is $60 an hour plus benefits. Oh and all of your schooling is free 👍
i am a ticketed electrician in vancouver canada, not the best place to be an electrician, but our local ibew 213 is offers the highest pay if you are just looking for employment, and it's about 46 Canadian dollars at the moment. if you are willing to work night shift and overtime, you'd make more, but if you obtain your FSR, go ahead and run some side jobs, with the living cost being so dammed high, I find myself doing side work more and more, I also wanna add that when I went into this trade, I thought it's gonna be a cleaner trade that requires more thinking and planning, while it is true to some degree, get ready for a lot of shit and dirty work during the first few years of your apprenticeship, and get ready to get paid less than the plumbers and the hvac guys, once you have your ticket, its only the beginning, think about specializing, fire alarm? automation? extra low voltage (security)? instrumentation tech? PLC? running your own business? I think we have a lot more options later on in our career.
New residential started at 13$/hour totally green. Just had my 1 year review 2 months ago and am now at 15$/hour. I have learned so much I know I could more then likely go to another company and make more money but I really enjoy the company and people I work with right now. I basically think about it as school at the moment. Everyone I work with are great teachers and we get along great. I don’t want to risk going somewhere else and the work environment not being as conducive for a few more bucks an hour. I know a lot of the guys I work with make north of 25$/hour. They tell me focus on learning and the money will come. I know for me personally as long as the money is fair I will always take a work environment I truly enjoy over chasing the most money and ending up with coworkers who suck.
@@daltoncurrin5746it may be but the peace of mind and great work environment from such a job is pure bliss. The true money is at the end of the tunnel.
Just got switched from framing to electrical work with my company i was at 22 with framing and still am but will be getting a raise to 23.75 after 90 days on electrical so it will be worth it physically and financially
Started my apprenticeship at a wage of $10. After a month I was up to $11. Fourth year before my test I was making $16.50. After passing the test I got bumped up to $26. Now I'm in the renewable energy sector of electrical trade making $52. With a take home work vehicle. Becoming an electrician was the best choice I've made financially. I started my apprenticeship at the age of 27.
Y'all hear that at the end? Find a company that has growth potential for you (sorry, means most mom n pop shops are out). Make yourself VALUABLE to the company their all the ways he mentioned, keep a positive and SOLUTION oriented attitude, and the sky's the limit.
My friend told me about trade school, I was clueless on what it was. He’s a electrician making 64$ an hour as a apprentice. I live in NY Syracuse but don’t know how much a electrician make.
I’m 22 and about to end my first year, I currently make minimum wage of 10 dollars an hour, but in about a month I will go up to minimum wage of a second year of 11,4 dollars an hour. I live in Denmark Copenhagen by the way
In Idaho I started at 9.50 an hour as a 1st year. I'm 4th year now and make 31! Working hard and actually caring about it like it's a career and not just a job is key. Also being good at it doesn't hurt lol.
@@ZzzleepzzZ There is no union thay starts apprentices at 9.50, I started non union at 12/H and now I joined the union apprenticeship, make 22.58/H for 2nd year rate
Started my 1st year at 22.50. Getting my 3rd year raise soon will be at 32.50. When I became journeyman I’ll be at 54. (Not including new contract negotiation) should be around 60. Local 26
@dewaynecooper2387 there's working dues and union dues. Depends on your local. Working dues can be 3 or 5% of your weekly paycheck. Union due is like your monthly subscription to tits3 hours of your hourly wage.union. its like
It's 2024 bro , idk who can even sit there and survive the 1st and 2nd year with that small pay , i understand ur learning but Jesus if u dont have help u cant go focus on that without having another job .
1. I am 41 2. I only have experience in restaurants as management. 3. Union would be my preference but i know guys making double time in ot at $154 per hr
I started at 12$/H, 2.5 years ago then joined the union, I am gonna start classes as a first year making 22.58/H (They re paying me 2nd year rates due to my experience)! Fantastic career, I absolutely love it! Thanks alot for the quality video! I hope you make a video about the culture in the jobsites (Boomers being stuck in their ways, refuse progress or change, and some will call you out for not using a damn bucket to carry your tools lol), alot of new kids joining the trades are shocked about the crazy culture, but thankfully the toxicity is leaving, slowly but shortly! Hope you tackle this subject! Much respect and appreciation!
How did you get your start in this career? Did you go to school or just automatically start looking for apprenticeships? I'm in CA and I have no idea where to start
@@khanumna1183 Hello, you can either go the union route or the non union! For union write on google IBEW and the name of the city closest to you, you re going to find the union hall that rules over your jurisdiction, you can go ask them about the apprenticeship program and they ll help you figure it out, the requirements are Highschool diploma, C in Algebra, Driver's license, and being over 18. You ll need to pass an aptitude test (Math and English reading and comprehension), then if you pass (you ll need at least 4 out of 9 on average), you ll qualify for an interview, if you do good, you can start schooling which is twice a week generally in the evening, and during the day you work full time, you start at 40% of the Journeyman Electrician wage, and you ll get raises every 6 months for the 5 years apprenticeship till you become a journeyman yourself. The non union way is to just call every electrical company near you and ask them if they re taking apprentices. If you want a good ressource about joining the union then look up "Mad Electrician how to become an Electrician" on youtube, he has 3 part videos explaining the process in details.
@@khanumna1183try looking into the IBEW in your state. California the rate is $70 an hour for a journeyman. If you factor in the compensation, it's well over $100.
I have a 4 year degree from a top business school. Am I making a mistake going back to be an electrician and giving up my cushy salary even though my day to day is super boring
Did you do it? I'm in school for accounting right now, I don't like how mentally tired I am after studying all day... I'm worried the day to day life of an accountant is gonna leave me feeling the same way. I worked as an apprentice for a few months and if it paid more and wasn't so dangerous I could see myself doing it long term. Joining a union seems to solve both of those problems so I'm reconsidering.
I heard too many stories of people who were pros for 20 years and accidentally touched the wrong wire and got blown up or permanently disabled. Also I think us office boys forget how incredibly grueling the work can get when you’re working 60 hour weeks in the cold or hot and you just have to keep going because you have no other choice.
@@americanelectrician that’s what i’m trying to do it’s just very difficult to know exactly what I want to do, my dad is an electrician and works for the union and enjoys his job. It sounds like a good gig
I’m 40 years old in December and I’m getting certified too old? Nope and I wouldn’t care if that was the general consensus either my trainers would have to tell me that
Just found you. Excellent video presentation skills. I'm an engineer with 7 years of experience and I'm considering becoming a millwright. How much of this video applies to millwrights?
@@americanelectrician thanks man! It’s not all that bad. I work OT every other weekend to make up for the $18/H lol plus, ever since I got out the army it’s the only job I’ve had that I actually enjoy
Not enough to pay for the right health care if you aren't careful of someone who isn't careful with lock out tag outs. Who shoulders the conduit? What kind of back injury can a conduit runner get? Who's the cheapest? Who's the first to get used up? Good questions can go a long way.
I started at $8 hr, in my fourth year I made $11.50 before I took a couple of years off, made $12 when I came back , in my 6 or 7th year I was making $16, and just now at making $20 with my journeyman’s
@@HumilityListens It took a while because I was in residential non union moved onto the union it started to get more difficult. But I’m one year away from becoming journeyman
I’m only in my 2nd year and my tool addiction is absurd. I am literally sitting in my car in a parking lot about to walk inside and pick up the m12 cut off tool as I type this. I was listening to this video on the drive over. Most of my power tools are m18 other then the little m12 surge. I don’t buy power tools that often but I ALWAYS buy at least one hand tool or something related with every check. I went through at least 10 or 12 wire strippers before I found one to settle on. A lot of people don’t like it but it’s the 9” klein hybrid pliers. They make them in 8” too but I don’t like them as much. The 9” totally eliminate the need for dedicated linemans. It’s funny a lot of the guys at work who have been electricians for years come to me for certain tools they don’t have. I like to always be prepared for whatever comes up. That also shows everyone how serious I am about becoming the best electrician I can be and bringing value to the job site as much as I can.
How much money did you make your first year?💰
15$. January 2024 *probably a little underpaid*
I went to a community college for electrical & instrumentation associates, first job interned full time as an industrial maintenance electrician starting at $22.20 this is my 2 year now i’m now at $33.60 I love you my trade
EDIT: Currently at $37.45
You’re still 2 years? What industry are you in?
37.45? What state do you live in ?
i really love fixing things around the house and my job is getting physically/mentally taxing...working as a nurse practitioner and I want to get into trades...how long do you think it will take for me become a master electrician ?
If I had to guess he probably passed his journeyman test already, in California you can take the test as soon as you get your E.T. Card you can take it and although you won’t be treated like a journeyman but you’ll be pretty damn close
Started at $19 and ended the year at $24. I’m a journeyman now at $86
Local companies were picking people up from the school while in class. There is such a need for people in the trades.
@darthbane4980 - wow. Where do you live?
Not around me boss😂 can’t even get a company to respond
@@michaelallen1154 California. Everyone wants to get into the tech sector out here, so the trades are understaffed.
Dude. I'm 23 years in and have a master electrician contractors license. Trust me. You aren't making that much an hour.
@@justinmitchell5950 I agree. Ain’t no way. 😂😂
Second year apprentice making 31 an hour with rate. Blessed.
tabarnak that's pretty fucking good bud
As a first year was starting at 19.75 w raises every 6 months, now i’m over 27/hr going into my 3rd year
I love to see it! Glad they’re paying you boys right. What state are you in?
What state are you in if you don’t mind me asking?
Rhode Island! 💪🏼
Good shit bro been in for 1 year n half only paying 17 in florida
Im in NY, on Long Island. So the pay here a good bit higher than other parts of the country due to cost of living. Im Union, i started as a “helper” which is a pre apprenticeship worker making $15 an hour. The apprenticeship here is 5 years long and once you finish the journeyman rate is $60 an hour plus benefits. Oh and all of your schooling is free 👍
Let’s go! That’s fantastic and super high. Glad to hear they’re paying you boys well out there
hey local 25. local 3 here also on long island in queens n.y.c.
Which Union is this ?
And how much did you make once you started apprenticeship?
im on the island too. where do i start
i am a ticketed electrician in vancouver canada, not the best place to be an electrician, but our local ibew 213 is offers the highest pay if you are just looking for employment, and it's about 46 Canadian dollars at the moment. if you are willing to work night shift and overtime, you'd make more, but if you obtain your FSR, go ahead and run some side jobs, with the living cost being so dammed high, I find myself doing side work more and more,
I also wanna add that when I went into this trade, I thought it's gonna be a cleaner trade that requires more thinking and planning, while it is true to some degree, get ready for a lot of shit and dirty work during the first few years of your apprenticeship, and get ready to get paid less than the plumbers and the hvac guys, once you have your ticket, its only the beginning, think about specializing, fire alarm? automation? extra low voltage (security)? instrumentation tech? PLC? running your own business? I think we have a lot more options later on in our career.
Started off at 18$ an hour as a union first year in Las Vegas. Great video great advice applying yourself is key
Thank you sir! Glad to hear they are paying you boys out there. Best of luck to you!
Is the job steady? What is the schedule like I'm in vegas thanks
@@nacionreparacion typically you will work 40 hour weeks plus overtime so like 50
How long did it take you to get into the union? I am thinking about applying to one around here.
could you tell me what field you work in and what is required to be in that field
New residential started at 13$/hour totally green. Just had my 1 year review 2 months ago and am now at 15$/hour. I have learned so much I know I could more then likely go to another company and make more money but I really enjoy the company and people I work with right now. I basically think about it as school at the moment. Everyone I work with are great teachers and we get along great. I don’t want to risk going somewhere else and the work environment not being as conducive for a few more bucks an hour. I know a lot of the guys I work with make north of 25$/hour. They tell me focus on learning and the money will come. I know for me personally as long as the money is fair I will always take a work environment I truly enjoy over chasing the most money and ending up with coworkers who suck.
Bro that’s awful pay
@@daltoncurrin5746it may be but the peace of mind and great work environment from such a job is pure bliss. The true money is at the end of the tunnel.
@@daltoncurrin5746target pays $17hr
Just got switched from framing to electrical work with my company i was at 22 with framing and still am but will be getting a raise to 23.75 after 90 days on electrical so it will be worth it physically and financially
Glad you made the switch. I hope you enjoy it!
Started my apprenticeship at a wage of $10. After a month I was up to $11. Fourth year before my test I was making $16.50. After passing the test I got bumped up to $26. Now I'm in the renewable energy sector of electrical trade making $52. With a take home work vehicle. Becoming an electrician was the best choice I've made financially. I started my apprenticeship at the age of 27.
Are you in the union?
Y'all hear that at the end? Find a company that has growth potential for you (sorry, means most mom n pop shops are out). Make yourself VALUABLE to the company their all the ways he mentioned, keep a positive and SOLUTION oriented attitude, and the sky's the limit.
My friend told me about trade school, I was clueless on what it was. He’s a electrician making 64$ an hour as a apprentice. I live in NY Syracuse but don’t know how much a electrician make.
A coworker of mine who is a retired electrician would make 500k a year, but he had high government clearance
@@UltimatePowa how did he get that?
What does your friend do?
2014. 12$ an hour as a high school drop out. Journeyed out 3 years ago. Now northnof 100k in cali as a solar electrician. Love the trade
I’m 22 and about to end my first year, I currently make minimum wage of 10 dollars an hour, but in about a month I will go up to minimum wage of a second year of 11,4 dollars an hour. I live in Denmark Copenhagen by the way
Excellent advice for my 19 y/o son. Well done!
I went to college got a degree in econ and make something like $125/hr, not sure I would be happy in the trades
@@sunnohhmaybe he don’t wanna go to college
@@sunnohh do you work for the government?
@@sunnohh I sing at bars, never graduated college either but I make $125 for 1hr for singing my own songs and this is just one venue
In Idaho I started at 9.50 an hour as a 1st year. I'm 4th year now and make 31! Working hard and actually caring about it like it's a career and not just a job is key. Also being good at it doesn't hurt lol.
Union or nonunion? Also where at!
@@ZzzleepzzZ There is no union thay starts apprentices at 9.50, I started non union at 12/H and now I joined the union apprenticeship, make 22.58/H for 2nd year rate
1st period, 1st Year Inside Wire Apprentice IBEW Local 46. Im making $28.58
Just applied at 583. Hope I get accepted.
Started my 1st year at 22.50. Getting my 3rd year raise soon will be at 32.50. When I became journeyman I’ll be at 54. (Not including new contract negotiation) should be around 60. Local 26
Crazy to hear the wages around the country. Here in Washington journeyman rate is $55 starting in the union
How much do union take out how much yo checks be ?? If u don’t mind
@dewaynecooper2387 there's working dues and union dues. Depends on your local. Working dues can be 3 or 5% of your weekly paycheck. Union due is like your monthly subscription to tits3 hours of your hourly wage.union. its like
First year Residential in Silicon Valley is 27 an hour comercial is 40
Let’s go!
Started green (minor construction experience) $13.50 residential non-union Florida. After 2 years I am currently making $16.
Jesus that’s awful. I started at 16 totally green. Hoping for a raise after 6 months
@@conormcqregor4393 I make $18 now. Maybe I’ll see if I can hop around.
Making $54 at local 26 right now but still doesn’t seem like enough these days. Inflation is killing us
Great to know! Solid videos as always!
Much appreciated! Glad I can help in any way. Let me know if there are any videos you would like to see
Came across this video because I start school for electrician in a month , we’re both in Indiana let’s go!
Let’s go! Congrats man that’s awesome
I have to go through 4 years of schooling since it’s union, but once I become a journeyman my wage is 34/h after benefits comes out
It's 2024 bro , idk who can even sit there and survive the 1st and 2nd year with that small pay , i understand ur learning but Jesus if u dont have help u cant go focus on that without having another job .
2025 now 😂
1. I am 41
2. I only have experience in restaurants as management.
3. Union would be my preference but i know guys making double time in ot at $154 per hr
I want to do it so bad but i am also terrible at math.
IBEW journeyman wireman.... If I worked all available hours $198,000 per year.
Just started at $17/hr (with experience in other construction adjacent work under my belt), in Virginia at 29 years old
Let’s go! Congrats on starting the new journey
Thought about joining Union. But In Louisiana all the unions are shitty don’t make anything.
Im in San Diego and i was interested but not sure what trade school to go too😅 any recommendations?
$50 for jman in west coast canada. $60 minimum if you wanna do camp work.
Went from making $16.50 Candadian cooking in a chain restaurant to $12 minimum wage.
I also started out with $15 an hour my first year.
How long til u got a raise
I started at 12$/H, 2.5 years ago then joined the union, I am gonna start classes as a first year making 22.58/H (They re paying me 2nd year rates due to my experience)! Fantastic career, I absolutely love it!
Thanks alot for the quality video! I hope you make a video about the culture in the jobsites (Boomers being stuck in their ways, refuse progress or change, and some will call you out for not using a damn bucket to carry your tools lol), alot of new kids joining the trades are shocked about the crazy culture, but thankfully the toxicity is leaving, slowly but shortly! Hope you tackle this subject!
Much respect and appreciation!
How did you get your start in this career? Did you go to school or just automatically start looking for apprenticeships? I'm in CA and I have no idea where to start
@@khanumna1183 Hello, you can either go the union route or the non union!
For union write on google IBEW and the name of the city closest to you, you re going to find the union hall that rules over your jurisdiction, you can go ask them about the apprenticeship program and they ll help you figure it out, the requirements are Highschool diploma, C in Algebra, Driver's license, and being over 18.
You ll need to pass an aptitude test (Math and English reading and comprehension), then if you pass (you ll need at least 4 out of 9 on average), you ll qualify for an interview, if you do good, you can start schooling which is twice a week generally in the evening, and during the day you work full time, you start at 40% of the Journeyman Electrician wage, and you ll get raises every 6 months for the 5 years apprenticeship till you become a journeyman yourself.
The non union way is to just call every electrical company near you and ask them if they re taking apprentices.
If you want a good ressource about joining the union then look up "Mad Electrician how to become an Electrician" on youtube, he has 3 part videos explaining the process in details.
@@khanumna1183try looking into the IBEW in your state. California the rate is $70 an hour for a journeyman. If you factor in the compensation, it's well over $100.
How would certifications in coding influence your value?
I’m a 25 year old leaving the retail space. How do you feel about trade schools? Is it worth it incase you can’t land an apprenticeship?
Get into instrumentation & electrical. You’ll thank me
Starting off $20 an hour as apprentice in GA
I have a 4 year degree from a top business school. Am I making a mistake going back to be an electrician and giving up my cushy salary even though my day to day is super boring
No
Did you do it? I'm in school for accounting right now, I don't like how mentally tired I am after studying all day... I'm worried the day to day life of an accountant is gonna leave me feeling the same way. I worked as an apprentice for a few months and if it paid more and wasn't so dangerous I could see myself doing it long term. Joining a union seems to solve both of those problems so I'm reconsidering.
@@_unworthyservant no I didn’t - I’m actually starting an accounting/bookkeeping business and need someone that’s a CPA to expand though lol
I heard too many stories of people who were pros for 20 years and accidentally touched the wrong wire and got blown up or permanently disabled. Also I think us office boys forget how incredibly grueling the work can get when you’re working 60 hour weeks in the cold or hot and you just have to keep going because you have no other choice.
I was in commercial banking for years and im swapping.
In my first year $18 starting with increase every 3 months, Non - Union, PNW
That’s awesome man! Thanks for sharing!
I started my apprenticeship this year at 16$ an hour and they are working me to the bone
how much do companies charge for rate? I started my own company, just a small 2 man crew...
It depends on the area and the service. I know $75 around here for service work
im a robot programmer at 19 making $24 an hour but I want to switch careers by next year
Find something you enjoy now
@@americanelectrician that’s what i’m trying to do it’s just very difficult to know exactly what I want to do, my dad is an electrician and works for the union and enjoys his job. It sounds like a good gig
Youre making a good move man
I think in 96-97 was around 8.90, now I’m 125 in wa state
That’s fantastic!
45.00 an hour bay area we max out at 76.00 IBEW baby
Let’s goooo
I’m 40 years old in December and I’m getting certified too old? Nope and I wouldn’t care if that was the general consensus either my trainers would have to tell me that
You’re good bro! Do it!
I am 44 yrs old waste time I thought of going but it's going to take long plus I would need to start as apprentice any advice
Start now
About to start my first day as an apprentice on Monday wish me luck. $18 an hour
Congrats!!
$9.00 /hour as a first year apprentice in 1997.
Just found you. Excellent video presentation skills. I'm an engineer with 7 years of experience and I'm considering becoming a millwright. How much of this video applies to millwrights?
I just started as a local 3 apprentice. Making 18/H shits rough! lol
Let’s goo tho! Congrats man!
@@americanelectrician thanks man! It’s not all that bad. I work OT every other weekend to make up for the $18/H lol plus, ever since I got out the army it’s the only job I’ve had that I actually enjoy
It’ll get better too pretty significantly every year
$16.50 in KY non union
Not enough to pay for the right health care if you aren't careful of someone who isn't careful with lock out tag outs. Who shoulders the conduit? What kind of back injury can a conduit runner get? Who's the cheapest? Who's the first to get used up? Good questions can go a long way.
20/hr. in year 1 in Southern CA.
That's no good.
What’s no good?
@@americanelectrician 20/hr wages.
25 year master electrician. $30 an hour.
$15 an hour non union.
Your employer loves you…. That always pays the bills
My employer does love me😂😂😂
I started at $8 hr, in my fourth year I made $11.50 before I took a couple of years off, made $12 when I came back , in my 6 or 7th year I was making $16, and just now at making $20 with my journeyman’s
Bro where do you live?! That seems horrible no hate!!
honestly it sounds like you're getting screwed over royally!
That was until I joined the union! Way better pay
The high end for journeyman is 70k? That’s not alot
I’m non Union and I get free health insurance and get paid the same as a union Electrician without the fees
Yessir! Non union does and can pay well especially for those who apply themselves
Lol no you don’t
35$ per hour is dog shit…… collective bargaining in a labor shortage will more than double your compensation
the more south east you go the lower the pay gets
so what you’re saying is
overtime, overtime, o v ë r t i m e
My first year was $10 in ohio now I’m making $24 hr waiting to take my fire alarm test
How long did it take you to get the hang of basic things?
@@HumilityListens It took a while because I was in residential non union moved onto the union it started to get more difficult. But I’m one year away from becoming journeyman
This was realistic
We make just enough to buy more tools and monster energy drinks
Isn’t that the truth😂😂 the more money you make, the more tools you have
I’m only in my 2nd year and my tool addiction is absurd. I am literally sitting in my car in a parking lot about to walk inside and pick up the m12 cut off tool as I type this. I was listening to this video on the drive over. Most of my power tools are m18 other then the little m12 surge. I don’t buy power tools that often but I ALWAYS buy at least one hand tool or something related with every check. I went through at least 10 or 12 wire strippers before I found one to settle on. A lot of people don’t like it but it’s the 9” klein hybrid pliers. They make them in 8” too but I don’t like them as much. The 9” totally eliminate the need for dedicated linemans. It’s funny a lot of the guys at work who have been electricians for years come to me for certain tools they don’t have. I like to always be prepared for whatever comes up. That also shows everyone how serious I am about becoming the best electrician I can be and bringing value to the job site as much as I can.