Overview
An apprenticeship is a structured earn-while-you-learn program that combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. You work under experienced journeymen and master tradespeople from day one — getting paid to learn the trade while accumulating the hours required for licensure.
Apprenticeships exist across dozens of trades and industries — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, ironwork, pipefitting, sheet metal, elevator installation, and more. They're offered by trade unions, employer associations, individual companies, and through government-registered programs.
Why this model is exceptional
Consider the alternative: four years of college, $60,000–$120,000 in debt, and an entry-level job. An apprentice spends those same four years getting paid to work, building skills, accumulating zero debt, and completing the program as a licensed journeyman ready to earn full trade wages. The financial head start over a college graduate is often measured in hundreds of thousands of dollars over a career.
Union vs. Non-Union Apprenticeships
Union
Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs)
Union apprenticeships are run by Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees — partnerships between the trade union and signatory employers. They offer the most structured programs, highest wages, and best benefits. IBEW (electrical), UA (plumbing), and other trade unions run some of the most respected apprenticeship programs in the country. Competitive to get into — application, aptitude test, and interview required.
Non-Union
Employer and Association Programs
Non-union apprenticeships are run by individual employers, contractor associations, or through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Generally easier to enter than union programs. Wages and benefits vary by employer. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) runs a large national network of non-union apprenticeship programs across most trades.
How It Works
1
Find and apply to a program
The Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Finder (apprenticeship.gov) lists registered apprenticeship programs nationwide. For union programs, contact the local union hall for the trade you're interested in. For non-union programs, check with Associated Builders and Contractors or individual employers. Most programs have annual or rolling application windows.
2
Complete the application process
Union apprenticeships typically require an aptitude test (math and reading comprehension), a physical exam, and an interview. Non-union programs vary — some have minimal requirements beyond a high school diploma and driver's license. Competitive union programs like the IBEW can have long waitlists in high-demand areas — apply early.
3
Begin working and earning from day one
Apprentices start at a percentage of the journeyman wage — typically 40–50% — and receive automatic raises at set intervals as they progress through the program. You work alongside journeymen and master tradespeople on real job sites, learning the trade through direct experience.
4
Attend related technical instruction (RTI)
Alongside on-the-job work, apprentices attend classroom instruction — typically one night per week or in block scheduling. RTI covers theory, codes, math, safety, and the technical knowledge required for licensure exams. This instruction is included in the program — there's no separate tuition.
5
Accumulate required hours and pass your journeyman exam
Each trade requires a specific number of on-the-job hours — typically 8,000 hours (about 4 years of full-time work) for electrical and plumbing, fewer for other trades. Once hours are complete and you pass your state journeyman exam, you're a licensed journeyman and earn full trade wages.
6
Advance to master license or pursue specialization
After working as a journeyman for a set period (typically 2–4 years), you can sit for your master license exam — which opens the door to running your own jobs, pulling permits, and eventually starting your own business. Many tradespeople also pursue specialty certifications that command premium wages.
What It Costs
This is the defining financial advantage of the apprenticeship path: you pay nothing. You earn a paycheck from day one while your training is provided at no cost.
What you earn during an apprenticeship — IBEW electrical example
Year 1 (40% of journeyman wage): ~$18–$22/hr depending on local — roughly $37,000–$46,000/yr
Year 2 (50%): ~$22–$28/hr — $46,000–$58,000/yr
Year 3 (60%): ~$27–$33/hr — $56,000–$69,000/yr
Year 4 (70%): ~$31–$39/hr — $65,000–$81,000/yr
Year 5 / Journeyman (100%): ~$45–$55/hr — $93,000–$115,000/yr
Union apprentices also receive health insurance and pension benefits from early in the program — often before the end of the first year.
Non-union apprenticeship wages vary more widely by employer and region but follow a similar progression structure. Benefits are less standardized than union programs.
What You Can Earn
Journeyman wages in union trades are among the highest hourly rates available to workers without a four-year degree. In high cost-of-living areas and with overtime, journeyman electricians and plumbers regularly earn $100,000+ annually.
The 10-year financial picture vs. college
A student who starts college at 18 graduates at 22 with $60,000 in debt and begins a career at $45,000–$55,000/yr. An apprentice who starts at 18 finishes at 22–23 as a journeyman earning $80,000–$115,000/yr with zero debt and 4–5 years of pension contributions already accumulated. The 10-year net worth difference between these two paths — in many fields — exceeds $200,000.
Union apprenticeship programs also include defined-benefit pension plans — a rarity in today's workforce. A tradesperson who completes a full union career retires with a guaranteed monthly pension in addition to Social Security. This benefit alone represents enormous lifetime financial value that rarely shows up in simple salary comparisons.
Who It's Right For
Good fit if you...
- Want to earn a paycheck while learning — not pay tuition
- Learn best through hands-on work rather than classroom study
- Want a defined path to a licensed, well-compensated career
- Value job security, benefits, and a pension
- Are patient — the program takes years but the payoff is substantial
- Are interested in potentially starting your own business one day
Think carefully if you...
- Want immediate high income — early apprentice wages are modest
- Aren't prepared for physical, outdoor, or job-site work conditions
- Are in a market where union programs have long waitlists and no non-union alternatives
- Have physical limitations that conflict with the trade's demands
What Most People Get Wrong
Common assumption
"Apprenticeships are only available in the building trades."
While the building trades (electrical, plumbing, carpentry, ironwork) are the most well-known, registered apprenticeships exist in healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and many other fields. The Department of Labor's apprenticeship program has expanded significantly beyond traditional trades in recent years.
Common assumption
"Union apprenticeships are easy to get into."
Competitive union programs — particularly IBEW electrical in major metro areas — can have hundreds of applicants for a small number of openings. The aptitude test, interview, and ranking process are real filters. Preparing for the aptitude test, showing up professionally, and demonstrating genuine interest in the trade all matter significantly.
Common assumption
"Apprentice pay is too low to live on."
First-year apprentice wages are modest but livable — especially compared to the alternative of paying tuition while not working. By year two or three, apprentice wages are competitive with entry-level college graduate salaries. And by completion, journeyman wages typically exceed what most four-year graduates earn in their first five years of work.
Common assumption
"You have to know someone to get into a union apprenticeship."
Registered union apprenticeship programs are required to follow non-discriminatory selection procedures. While knowing people in a trade can help you learn about opportunities, the selection process itself is standardized. Showing up prepared — good aptitude test score, professional appearance, genuine interest — matters more than connections.
Common Questions
How do I find apprenticeship programs near me? +
The Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Finder at apprenticeship.gov lists all registered apprenticeship programs by location and trade. For union programs, go directly to the local union hall — search for "IBEW local [your city]" or "UA local [your city]" for electrical and plumbing respectively. For non-union programs, check Associated Builders and Contractors (abc.org) or contact large local contractors directly to ask if they run apprenticeship programs.
What is the IBEW aptitude test? +
The IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) apprenticeship aptitude test covers algebra and functions, and reading comprehension. It's a timed test and your score is a significant factor in your ranking for admission. Free and paid study guides are available online — search "IBEW aptitude test prep." Preparing for this test meaningfully improves your score and competitiveness.
Can I do a pre-apprenticeship program first? +
Yes — and in competitive markets, this is often a smart move. Pre-apprenticeship programs are short (4–12 weeks) introductory programs that teach basic trade skills and prepare you for apprenticeship applications. Many are free or low-cost and offered through community colleges, workforce development organizations, and union training centers. Completing one demonstrates commitment and gives you a head start on the aptitude test.
What benefits do union apprentices receive? +
Union benefits vary by local and trade, but typically include health insurance (for you and often your family) that kicks in after a qualifying period, pension contributions that begin accumulating from your first year, and paid holidays. These benefits are negotiated as part of the collective bargaining agreement — they're not discretionary. For a young person with no employer benefits, this package is often worth $10,000–$20,000 per year in additional compensation beyond base wages.
Next Steps
1
Visit apprenticeship.gov and search your area
The DOL's apprenticeship finder lists every registered program by ZIP code and trade. Start here to see what's available near you.
2
Contact the local union hall for the trade you want
Search "[trade union name] local [your city]" — call or visit the hall and ask when the next apprenticeship application window opens and what the process involves.
3
Prepare for the aptitude test
For IBEW and most union programs, the aptitude test — especially algebra — is a primary filter. Study. Free practice materials are available online. A strong score meaningfully improves your rank.
4
Consider a pre-apprenticeship program while you wait
If the application window isn't open or you're on a waitlist, a pre-apprenticeship program builds skills, demonstrates commitment, and can improve your ranking when you apply.
5
Talk to a journeyman in the trade
Ask about their experience in the apprenticeship, what surprised them, and what they wish they'd known going in. Most are glad to talk about their trade with someone genuinely interested in entering it.
Last updated: April 2026