Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 117 in Elgin, IL earn $59.11/hr in base wages, or $105.48/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Oct 2025.
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IBEW Local 117 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 117 pay scale for 2026 is $59.11 per hour for journeymen in Elgin, IL, or about $118,220 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $105.48 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 10/26/25.
| Local 117 journeyman hourly wage | $59.11 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $105.48 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $118,220 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $26.60–$29.56 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 10/26/25 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
A Local 117 apprentice in Elgin, IL starts at roughly $26.60 an hour — about 45% of the $59.11 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $44.33 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 117 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $26.60 / hour | $53,199 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $32.51 / hour | $65,021 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $38.42 / hour | $76,843 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $44.33 / hour | $88,665 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $50.24 / hour | $100,487 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $59.11 / hour | $118,220 |
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Local 117 wages: $59.11 an hour on the journeyman scale, $105.48 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 10/26/25. That is the most recent Elgin, IL sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Roughly 44% of the IBEW Local 117 package is employer-paid benefits and fringes rather than wages, which is why the package figure and a take-home hourly rate are not the same number.
Unverified: crowd-sourced figure (unionpayscales.com), not confirmed against the local's own wage sheet
Download the IBEW Local 117 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective October 26, 2025.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | $46.37/hr | Derived: total package minus base wage. This is the employer's combined hourly contribution to the funds, not take-home pay. |
|---|---|---|
| What the contributions fund | Health & welfare, pension, annuity, training and industry funds | Standard fund categories in mechanical and electrical agreements. The exact split between funds is set in the local's agreement — the hall or fund office publishes the schedule. |
| Paid on | Every hour worked | Fringe contributions are made per hour worked, so they scale with dispatched hours and are paid to the funds rather than to the member. |
The rates above are the IBEW Local 117 scale used across the Elgin, IL area. Members dispatched out of this hall work commercial and industrial electrical, building automation and controls wiring, data and low-voltage systems and service and retrofit work for signatory contractors throughout the Elgin metro, so a electrician wage quoted locally is normally this scale plus the fringe package shown in the table.
Gulfstream recruits electrician talent for commercial mechanical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around Elgin. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 117 rates. For current Elgin scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
IBEW Local 117 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — contact the hall to confirm dispatch procedure and what to bring before traveling in. Contact details are imported from the UA, SMART and IBEW public directories. Gulfstream is a private recruiting firm, is not affiliated with the local, and does not control hall dispatch.
IBEW Local 117, headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, represents skilled inside wiremen and electrical professionals across the northern Illinois corridor. Established to maintain high safety and technical standards, this local serves as a critical labor source for the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors within the Fox River Valley region. The local focuses on providing a stable, highly trained workforce that supports complex infrastructure projects, from large-scale manufacturing facilities to modern healthcare systems. Members benefit from a structured bargaining environment that ensures fair compensation and safe working conditions, which is vital for the region's continued economic growth and industrial stability.
The market surrounding Elgin and McHenry County is characterized by a mix of suburban expansion and established industrial zones, making the role of Local 117 pivotal. As a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 117 operates under the 6th District, collaborating with signatory contractors to deliver projects on time and within code. The union's Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) provides the necessary education to meet the evolving demands of green energy, automation, and advanced telecommunications. For contractors, the local offers a scalable labor pool of journeymen who are licensed and bonded, mitigating the risks associated with unskilled labor in high-voltage environments.
Effective October 26, 2025, the Journeyman Inside Wireman rate for IBEW Local 117 is set at $59.11 per hour. When accounting for the full fringe benefit suite, the total compensation package reaches $105.48 per hour. This substantial gap between the check amount and the total package covers essential benefits including health insurance and multiple retirement tiers. Apprentices in the Local 117 program earn a percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting around 40% and increasing in scheduled increments as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. By the final year of the five-year program, apprentices generally earn 80% or more of the scale, ensuring a living wage while they achieve master-level competency in the electrical trade.
The jurisdiction of IBEW Local 117 covers a specific geographic footprint in Northern Illinois, primarily encompassing all of McHenry County and the northern portion of Kane County. This chartered territory includes major hubs like Elgin, Crystal Lake, and Algonquin. The local manages all inside electrical work within these boundaries, including new construction, renovations, and maintenance. Travel and dispatch rules are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, ensuring that members living within the jurisdiction have priority for local projects. The proximity to both the Chicago metropolitan area and the Rockford market allows Local 117 to serve as a vital link in the regional electrical grid, providing labor for diverse job sites ranging from retail developments to heavy industrial plants.
The contractor landscape for IBEW Local 117 is composed of a diverse group of signatory firms, ranging from small local service shops to large-scale mechanical-electrical primes. These contractors rely on the union hall for manpower to staff projects that require specialized certifications, such as fire alarm installation or instrumentation. Many signatory partners focus on the region's growing data center and distribution hub sectors, which demand high volumes of skilled wiremen. Hiring typically follows the referral procedure outlined in the CBA, where contractors request specific numbers of journeymen from the out-of-work list, ensuring a fair distribution of labor and maintaining high quality standards across all municipal and private projects.
The hourly wage of $59.11 is the gross amount paid directly on the member's paycheck. The total package of $105.48 includes an additional $46.37 per hour in employer-paid fringes, such as health insurance, pensions, and training funds. These benefits are paid by the signatory contractor and are not deducted from the journeyman's hourly rate.
While the basic journeyman license covers general electrical work, many projects in the McHenry County area require specific OSHA certifications or NABCEP-aligned training for renewable energy installations. Local 117 provides this specialized training through the JATC to ensure members are qualified for the increasing number of solar and EV charging infrastructure projects.
Electricians from other IBEW locals may seek work in Local 117's jurisdiction as 'travelers' by signing the Book 2 referral list. Priority is always given to local members (Book 1), but during periods of high demand—such as major industrial shutdowns or large commercial builds—traveling wiremen are frequently dispatched to fill labor shortages.
Applicants generally must reside within the geographical jurisdiction of Local 117 or the immediate surrounding areas to ensure they can reliably reach job sites in Elgin and McHenry County. The apprenticeship is a long-term commitment, and being local to the North Kane/McHenry region is highly preferred during the selection process.
IBEW Local 117 is seated in Elgin, Illinois (IL). We hold published wage sheets for 32 locals across Illinois — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
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Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 117 pay scale for 2026 is $59.11 per hour for journeymen in Elgin, IL, or about $118,220 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $105.48 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 10/26/25.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 117 agreement make $59.11 an hour in base wages, or $105.48 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 10/26/25. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$59.11 per hour base wage and $105.48 per hour total package for a journeyman in Elgin, IL, effective 10/26/25. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $118,220 before overtime.
A Local 117 apprentice in Elgin, IL starts at roughly $26.60 an hour — about 45% of the $59.11 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $44.33 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 117 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $26.60 an hour, or roughly $53,199 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $59.11 journeyman rate effective 10/26/25. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $38.42 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $44.33 an hour in the fourth period and $59.11 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 117 training center.
Local 117 wages: $59.11 an hour on the journeyman scale, $105.48 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 10/26/25. That is the most recent Elgin, IL sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published IBEW Local 117 journeyman rate is $59.11 an hour ($105.48 total package), effective 10/26/25 — roughly $118,220 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. Confirm the effective agreement with the local.
Yes — a one-page printable IBEW Local 117 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ibew-local-117-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $59.11 hourly scale, the $105.48 total package and the 10/26/25 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current IBEW Local 117 journeyman rate is $59.11/hour, with a total package of $105.48/hour including fringe benefits, effective 10/26/25. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $118,220 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 117 business office before relying on the figure.
The $59.11/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $105.48/hour total package adds employer-paid fringes — health and welfare, pension, annuity, apprenticeship training, and industry funds. Contractors bid work off the total package, so that is the number that matters when comparing electricians labor costs across locals.
Apprentices under the IBEW Local 117 agreement are paid a graduated percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting near 40–50% in the first period and stepping up each six-month or annual period until reaching 100% at turnout. Against the current $59.11/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $26.60–$29.56/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 117 is headquartered in Elgin, IL and dispatches electricians manpower throughout its chartered jurisdiction. Work performed inside that territory falls under the local's collective bargaining agreement and wage schedule, even when the contractor is based elsewhere and travels in.
Most locals require applicants to be at least 18, legally able to work in the U.S., hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a basic math/aptitude assessment and a drug screen, and be physically able to perform electricians work. Some Local 117 programs give preference to applicants inside the jurisdiction or to veterans. Eligibility rules are set by the local's Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), so confirm the current criteria with the hall before applying.
Apprenticeship applications go through the IBEW Local 117 JATC, not through a contractor or a recruiter. Applications typically open in defined intake windows each year: you submit the application with proof of age, education, and residency, sit for an aptitude test, and then interview. Ranked applicants are placed on an eligibility list and indentured as signatory contractors call for apprentices. Gulfstream Strategic Placements does not process apprenticeship applications — contact the Local 117 training center directly.
Electricians apprenticeships generally run four to five years — roughly 8,000–10,000 hours of on-the-job training plus several hundred classroom hours per year. Apprentices earn a paycheck the entire time, stepping up through the wage periods until they turn out as journeymen at 100% of scale.
Signatory contractors hire through the local's hiring hall, so working under the IBEW Local 117 agreement generally means being a member or being organized in through the local's process. Journeymen from other locals can travel in by signing the out-of-work book, subject to the local's referral rules and manpower needs. Non-union electricians professionals are usually placed with open-shop contractors instead — we recruit for both.
Rates move with the collective bargaining agreement, typically on a fixed anniversary date each year of a three- to five-year contract, with negotiated increases split between the base wage and the fringe package. The figures on this page reflect the 10/26/25 schedule; check with the Local 117 business office for any increase that has taken effect since.
Wage rates vary widely by local and market. Use the Union Pay Scale Explorer to sort every UA and SMART local by hourly wage, total package, and annualized pay so you can benchmark Local 117 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.
The IBEW Local 117 hall is at 765 Munshaw Ln Suite 135, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, serving Elgin, IL and the surrounding jurisdiction.
IBEW Local 117 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Contact the hall to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in — Gulfstream does not control hall dispatch.
IBEW Local 117 does not publish a phone number in the directory data we import; check the local's official site for current contact details.
$59.11/hr in base wages for journeyman inside wireman, or $105.48/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective October 26, 2025 per the unionpayscales.com wage sheet.
October 26, 2025. Pulled from the local's current published CBA wage sheet on unionpayscales.com and cross-checked at build time. High confidence for offer benchmarking.
No — the $59.11/hr base is wages only. Employers contribute roughly $46.37/hr more per hour worked to health and welfare, pension, annuity and training funds, which is the difference between the base and the $105.48/hr package.
No. Gulfstream Strategic Placements is a private mechanical construction recruiting firm. We are not affiliated with the local, we do not run dispatch, and we do not set or negotiate union rates. We publish the local's own sourced figures as a reference for members and contractors.
High confidence — last cross-checked against the source on Sep 23, 2026 (7 days ago). Always confirm the current step with the hall before relying on it for an offer.