Electrician
IBEW Local 292
Install and maintain electrical systems in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.
Starting Pay
$23.60/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$59.00/hr
~$118k/year
Apprenticeship
5 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$160,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Inside wiremen from IBEW Local 292 install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical systems across commercial, industrial, and residential projects throughout the Twin Cities metro. Day-to-day work ranges from pulling wire in new construction and terminating panels to upgrading aging infrastructure and troubleshooting outages. You'll work on everything from office buildings and hospitals to data centers and light rail infrastructure.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day on the job you'll report to a job site or the union hall to meet your journeyman partner. Expect to spend the first weeks learning job-site safety, how to read blueprints, and basic conduit bending. You'll do a lot of grunt work — pulling wire, running conduit, moving materials — while watching and learning from experienced journeymen.
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 | $23.60/hr | ~$47k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $29.50/hr | ~$59k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $35.40/hr | ~$71k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $41.30/hr | ~$83k |
| 5 | 5th Year Apprentice | $47.20/hr | ~$94k |
| 6 | Journeyman Wireman | $59.00/hr | ~$118k |
Benefits Package
Full health insurance for you and your family, a defined-benefit pension plan, annuity savings account, and paid vacation. Total package value rivals most white-collar salaries.
Apprenticeship Program
5 years
Program Length
900 hrs
Classroom Hours
8,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply online at ibew292.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. Qualified applicants are ranked and called in for an interview.
Application Windows
Applications typically open in spring (March–May). Check ibew292.org 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 Twin Cities Metro & Central Minnesota. 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 292 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with IBEW Local 292.