Electrician
IBEW Local 1426
Install and maintain electrical systems in commercial, industrial, and wind energy projects.
Starting Pay
$17.96/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$37.41/hr
~$75k/year
Apprenticeship
5 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$100,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Inside wiremen from IBEW Local 1426 install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical systems across commercial and industrial projects in northwest Minnesota and North Dakota. The local is headquartered in Grand Forks but covers NW Minnesota counties including Alexandria, Fergus Falls, and Detroit Lakes. With 800+ members, you'll work on everything from commercial buildings and industrial facilities to wind energy installations. The lower cost of living in the region makes wages highly competitive — your dollar stretches further here than in the metro.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day on the job you'll report to a job site and meet your journeyman partner. Expect to spend the first weeks learning job-site safety, blueprint reading, and basic conduit bending. You'll start with physical work — pulling wire, running conduit, moving materials — while learning from experienced journeymen. Be prepared for travel between job sites across a large geographic area.
This trade is
Pay Scale
Pay increases each year of the apprenticeship as a percentage of the journeyman rate. All rates are hourly; estimated annual at 2,000 hrs/year.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Year Apprentice | $17.96/hr | ~$36k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $22.45/hr | ~$45k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $26.94/hr | ~$54k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $31.42/hr | ~$63k |
| 5 | Journeyman Wireman | $37.41/hr | ~$75k |
Benefits Package
Full health insurance for you and your family, a defined-benefit pension plan, annuity savings account, and paid vacation. Combined with northwest Minnesota's low cost of living, the total package provides strong purchasing power.
Apprenticeship Program
5 years
Program Length
900 hrs
Classroom Hours
9,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply through the JATC at ibew1426.org during the open application window. You'll need a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and to pass a math aptitude test. A reliable vehicle is important given the travel involved.
Application Windows
Applications typically open in spring. Check ibew1426.org for current dates and requirements.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- Pass a basic algebra aptitude test
- At least 17 years old at time of application
- Reliable transportation for travel between job sites
- Drug-free workplace — pre-employment drug test required
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
- Comfortable working at heights on ladders and scaffolding
- Color vision (for wire identification)
- Ability to work in tight spaces and awkward positions
- Ability to work outdoors in extreme cold
Tools You'll Need
- Basic hand tools (provided list at orientation): pliers, screwdrivers, voltage tester
- Work boots (steel-toed required)
- Hard hat and safety glasses (often provided by employer)
Physical Demand
3/5
Technical Level
4/5
Union Hall
Market Outlook
High Demand
BLS projects 10% growth for electricians 2024–2034 (much faster than average) with about 81,000 annual openings nationally, driven by renewable energy, grid modernization, and building electrification. MN DEED projects 10% growth in Minnesota 2022–2032, with about 1,240 annual openings statewide.
Next Steps
Ready to learn more or apply? Here's what to do right now.
Wage source: Journeyman base hourly rate is sourced from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Commercial Prevailing Wage Schedule (effective 2025-12-22), which is derived from the prevailing collective bargaining agreement for NW Minnesota & North Dakota. Total package (with fringe benefits) is higher than the base rate shown. Apprentice progression rates are calculated as standard percentages of journeyman scale and may differ slightly from the actual CBA. This page is not affiliated with IBEW Local 1426 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with IBEW Local 1426.