Electrician
IBEW Local 294
Wire mining operations, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings across the Iron Range and northern Minnesota.
Starting Pay
$22.31/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
Electricians from IBEW Local 294 serve the Iron Range and northern Minnesota — a region defined by taconite mining, heavy industry, and the communities that support them. Based in Hibbing, Local 294 members wire mine processing plants, industrial facilities, power distribution systems, and commercial buildings across a jurisdiction stretching from the Iron Range through Bemidji and into remote northern communities. The work includes high-voltage mine electrical systems, industrial motor controls, and the rugged electrical infrastructure required for Minnesota's most demanding environments. Mining shutdowns and plant upgrades provide concentrated periods of intensive electrical work.
Day One as an Apprentice
Apprentices with Local 294 train through the Northern Minnesota Electrical JATC. Your first assignments will likely be on industrial or mining-related projects — wiring motor control centers, running conduit through processing facilities, or working on commercial buildings in Iron Range communities like Hibbing, Virginia, or Eveleth. The spread-out nature of northern Minnesota means you'll travel between job sites regularly.
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 | $22.31/hr | ~$45k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $28.48/hr | ~$57k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $34.17/hr | ~$68k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $39.87/hr | ~$80k |
| 5 | Journeyman Wireman | $47.46/hr | ~$95k |
Benefits Package
Full health, dental, and vision through IBEW health fund. Pension and annuity contributions. Northern Minnesota's lower cost of living makes journeyman wages stretch further than in the metro. Note: The rate shown is the MN DLI St. Louis County prevailing wage for inside electricians — IBEW 294's specific CBA rate is not publicly posted; contact the hall to confirm current Local 294 scale.
Apprenticeship Program
5 years
Program Length
900 hrs
Classroom Hours
9,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply through IBEW Local 294 at ibew294-neca.org or contact the hall at (218) 263-6895. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, one year of algebra, a valid driver's license, and an aptitude test.
Application Windows
Applications accepted periodically based on market demand. Mining shutdowns and industrial projects drive hiring cycles. Contact the hall for current availability.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- One year of high school algebra (or equivalent)
- Valid driver's license
- 18 years of age
- Pass an aptitude test (math and reading comprehension)
- Pass a drug test
Physical Requirements
- Climb ladders and work at heights
- Lift and carry conduit, wire, and equipment
- Work in varied environments including mining facilities and industrial plants
- Travel to regional job sites across northern Minnesota and the Iron Range
Tools You'll Need
- Standard electrician's hand tools
- Conduit bender
- Multimeter and voltage tester
- Personal PPE: hard hat, safety glasses, gloves
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 Iron Range & Northern 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 294 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with IBEW Local 294.