Electrician
IBEW Local 242
Install and maintain electrical systems in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings across northeastern Minnesota.
Starting Pay
$21.36/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$47.46/hr
~$95k/year
Apprenticeship
5 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$130,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Inside wiremen from IBEW Local 242 install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical systems across 15 counties in northeastern and east-central Minnesota plus northwestern Wisconsin. The jurisdiction stretches from the Duluth medical campus and port facilities to the Brainerd lakes area, Long Prairie, Wadena, and Park Rapids. Day-to-day work covers new construction and renovation — pulling wire, bending conduit, terminating panels, installing lighting and controls. You'll work on hospitals, schools, paper mills, mining operations, and commercial buildings. The territory is large, so travel within the jurisdiction is common, but the variety of work keeps things from getting repetitive.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day you'll report to a job site and meet the journeyman you'll be working with. Expect to start with job-site safety orientation, learning to read prints, and basic conduit work. You'll spend a lot of time moving materials, pulling wire, and watching how experienced electricians approach different parts of the installation.
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 | $21.36/hr | ~$43k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $26.10/hr | ~$52k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $30.85/hr | ~$62k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $37.97/hr | ~$76k |
| 5 | 5th Year Apprentice | $42.71/hr | ~$85k |
| 6 | Journeyman Wireman | $47.46/hr | ~$95k |
Benefits Package
Full health insurance for you and your family, a defined-benefit pension plan, annuity savings account, and paid vacation. Total package is comparable to metro locals with a lower cost of living.
Apprenticeship Program
5 years
Program Length
900 hrs
Classroom Hours
9,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply through the Duluth JATC or at ibew242.org during open application periods. You'll need a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and to pass a math aptitude test.
Application Windows
Applications typically open once a year. Check ibew242.org or call the hall for current dates.
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
- 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
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 NE Minnesota (15 counties) & NW Wisconsin. 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 242 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with IBEW Local 242.