Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 131 in Kalamazoo, MI earn $42.78/hr in base wages, or $63.76/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Jul 2025.
The Local 131 pay scale for 2026 is $42.78 per hour for journeymen in Kalamazoo, MI, or about $85,560 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $63.76 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 7/6/25.
| Local 131 journeyman hourly wage | $42.78 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $63.76 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $85,560 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45 to 50% of scale) | $19.25 to $21.39 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 7/6/25 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
Apply now | Gulfstream recruits for commercial electrical contractors. These are direct-hire roles, not union dispatch.
A Local 131 apprentice in Kalamazoo, MI starts at roughly $19.25 an hour, about 45% of the $42.78 journeyman scale, and steps up each period, reaching around $32.09 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 131 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $19.25 / hour | $38,502 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $23.53 / hour | $47,058 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $27.81 / hour | $55,614 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $32.09 / hour | $64,170 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $36.36 / hour | $72,726 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $42.78 / hour | $85,560 |
See electrical jobs we're recruiting for near Kalamazoo, or get an alert when this scale changes.
Gulfstream Strategic Placements is an MEP recruiting firm. We recruit for commercial mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors nationwide from our office in Corona, California. We are an independent firm. We don't speak for IBEW Local 131, set its rates or run its referral list.
Gulfstream recruits for commercial electrical contractors. These are direct-hire roles, not union dispatch.
Gulfstream recruits for commercial electrical contractors nationwide. Searches are confidential. You pay only when you hire, and every placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. We place direct hires on your payroll. We don't dispatch crews or replace the hall's referral process.
No matching active electricians roles in MI right now. Get alerts for new openings.
IBEW Local 131 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list, call the hall to confirm hours, books and what to bring. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
IBEW Local 131 pay rates and union rules
IBEW Local 131 does not post an online application we could verify; contact the hall by phone for dispatch or apprenticeship. To be considered for direct-hire roles with mechanical, electrical and sheet metal contractors in this area, apply to Gulfstream. This is not an application to the union.
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Local 131 wages: $42.78 an hour on the journeyman scale, $63.76 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 7/6/25. That is the most recent Kalamazoo, MI sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
IBEW Local 131 has not published a current wage sheet to the public rate sources we track, so the figure above is the reporting-wide electrician average, not this hall's own scale. 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 Kalamazoo, MI area, and local scale in the Kalamazoo market is normally set by the hall's current collective bargaining agreement, confirm it with the business office before quoting.
Gulfstream recruits electrician talent for commercial mechanical, electrical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around Kalamazoo. We are a private recruiting firm, we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 131 rates. For current Kalamazoo scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
IBEW Local 131 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall, call (269) 382-1762 to confirm dispatch procedure, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing 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 131 serves as the primary labor organization for inside wiremen and electrical professionals across Southwest Michigan, headquartered in Kalamazoo. The local provides a skilled workforce for a variety of complex environments, including pharmaceutical production facilities, higher education campuses, and food processing plants. As the regional representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 131 ensures that electrical installations meet rigid safety standards while maintaining a stable pipeline of qualified labor for signatory contractors operating within the jurisdiction.
The Kalamazoo market is characterized by a high demand for technical proficiency in motor controls, instrumentation, and power distribution. Local 131 members are integral to the maintenance and expansion of the region's industrial base, particularly within the life sciences corridor. For contractors, the local offers a scalable manpower solution that reduces the overhead associated with recruitment and safety training. For the tradesperson, the organization provides a structured career path with collectively bargained protections. This synergy between labor and management sustains the electrical infrastructure necessary for the region's economic growth, ranging from commercial retail developments to heavy industrial power systems.
Effective July 6, 2025, the Journeyman Inside Wireman rate for IBEW Local 131 is established at $42.78 per hour. When accounting for the full fringe benefit allocation, the total compensation package reaches $63.76 per hour. Apprentice progression is structured as a percentage of this journeyman rate, typically starting between 40% and 50% for first-year trainees and increasing incrementally as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job milestones. These scheduled increases ensure that compensation keeps pace with the apprentice's growing technical autonomy. All members receive the same base package, though foremen and general foremen receive additional hourly premiums—usually 10% to 15% above the scale—to compensate for the increased logistical and supervisory responsibilities inherent in managing large-scale electrical installations.
The signatory contractor landscape in the Kalamazoo region is a mix of long-standing local firms and larger regional mechanical-electrical primes. These contractors range from small specialty shops focusing on commercial service and tenant build-outs to large-scale industrial specialists capable of handling multi-million dollar plant expansions. Hiring activity is generally driven by the healthcare and education sectors, with frequent manning requirements for hospital renovations and university facility upgrades. Because the local provides a standardized training curriculum, contractors can expect a uniform level of skill across the workforce, which is critical for maintaining project timelines and adhering to the National Electrical Code across diverse jobsites.
The $42.78 hourly wage is the gross amount paid directly on the member's paycheck before taxes. The $63.76 total package includes that wage plus an additional $20.98 in employer-paid benefits like health insurance and pension contributions. These benefits are paid by the contractor over and above the hourly rate, providing a comprehensive compensation structure that is often not matched in non-union environments.
Yes, through the JATC, Local 131 provides journeymen with access to specialized training in areas such as EVITP (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program), instrumentation, fire alarm systems, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Staying current with these certifications allows members to remain competitive for specialized industrial calls and helps signatory contractors bid on technically demanding projects in the Kalamazoo life sciences sector.
Travelers or members looking to relocate must follow the IBEW Constitution's procedures for transferring a membership card. This typically involves signing the 'Book 2' out-of-work list for temporary work. A permanent transfer, or 'baking your card,' generally requires a period of working in the jurisdiction, a vote of the local's executive board, and the approval of the business manager based on local market conditions.
The work in Local 131 is heavily influenced by the presence of major pharmaceutical manufacturing and higher education institutions. This results in significant work involving cleanroom environments, laboratory power systems, and medium-voltage distribution. Additionally, commercial development along the I-94 corridor frequently provides opportunities for traditional retail and office building electrical construction, while the rural areas see occasional utility-scale solar and agricultural industrial projects.
IBEW Local 131 is seated in Kalamazoo, Michigan (MI). We hold published wage sheets for 25 locals across Michigan, compare nearby scales before you take a call.
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We are a commercial MEP recruiting firm serving Kalamazoo and the rest of Michigan, including contractors signatory to IBEW Local 131. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place tradespeople and field leadership nationwide.
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Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle, confirm with the hall.
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The Local 131 pay scale for 2026 is $42.78 per hour for journeymen in Kalamazoo, MI, or about $85,560 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $63.76 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 7/6/25.
IBEW Local 131 wages for 2026: journeyman Electricians rate of $42.78 per hour in Kalamazoo, MI, with a total package of $63.76 per hour including fringe benefits, effective 7/6/25. Apprentices are paid a graduated percentage of that rate. Confirm any increase since 7/6/25 with the IBEW Local 131 business office.
The IBEW Local 131 wage sheet on this page lists the journeyman scale of $42.78 per hour ($63.76 per hour total package), effective 7/6/25, plus the apprentice percentage steps. The official sheet is published by the IBEW Local 131 business office; figures here come from that published schedule, so confirm any increase dated after 7/6/25 with the hall.
Local 131 apprentices earn a graduated percentage of the $42.78 per hour journeyman rate, typically starting near 40 to 50% ($19.25 to $21.39 per hour) in the first period and stepping up each period to 100% at turnout. The exact percentage schedule is set by the IBEW Local 131 JATC, so confirm the current apprentice sheet with the training center.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 131 agreement make $42.78 an hour in base wages, or $63.76 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 7/6/25. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$42.78 per hour base wage and $63.76 per hour total package for a journeyman in Kalamazoo, MI, effective 7/6/25. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $85,560 before overtime.
A Local 131 apprentice in Kalamazoo, MI starts at roughly $19.25 an hour, about 45% of the $42.78 journeyman scale, and steps up each period, reaching around $32.09 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 131 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $19.25 an hour, or roughly $38,502 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $42.78 journeyman rate effective 7/6/25. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $27.81 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $32.09 an hour in the fourth period and $42.78 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 131 training center.
Local 131 wages: $42.78 an hour on the journeyman scale, $63.76 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 7/6/25. That is the most recent Kalamazoo, MI sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published IBEW Local 131 journeyman rate is $42.78 an hour ($63.76 total package), effective 7/6/25, roughly $85,560 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. Confirm the effective agreement with the local.
Yes, a one-page printable IBEW Local 131 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ibew-local-131-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $42.78 hourly scale, the $63.76 total package and the 7/6/25 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download, no sign-up needed.
The current IBEW Local 131 journeyman rate is $42.78/hour, with a total package of $63.76/hour including fringe benefits, effective 7/6/25. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $85,560 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle, confirm with the Local 131 business office before relying on the figure.
The $42.78/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $63.76/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 131 agreement are paid a graduated percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting near 40 to 50% in the first period and stepping up each six-month or annual period until reaching 100% at turnout. Against the current $42.78/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $19.25 to $21.39/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 131 is headquartered in Kalamazoo, MI 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 131 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 131 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 131 training center directly.
Electricians apprenticeships generally run four to five years, roughly 8,000 to 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 131 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 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 7/6/25 schedule; check with the Local 131 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 131 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.
Yes, the openings section on this page lists current electricians roles near Kalamazoo, MI, and you can apply directly through the apply form on this page. These are direct-hire positions with electrical contractors that Gulfstream recruits for, not union dispatch or hall referrals. For the hall's out-of-work list, contact the Local 131 business office.
The IBEW Local 131 hall is at 3641 East Cork Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, serving Kalamazoo, MI and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: (269) 382-1762.
IBEW Local 131 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at (269) 382-1762 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 131 can be reached at (269) 382-1762. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing, confirm hours with the hall.
Apply through the local's joint apprenticeship training committee (JATC). Most programs open applications on a set schedule and require an aptitude test and interview. For IBEW Local 131's current application window and requirements, contact the hall at (269) 382-1762.
Each Electricians local sets its own intake process, and it varies. The common paths: apprenticeship through the JATC; organizing in as an experienced worker, since journeymen and technicians already working in the trade can usually apply directly to the hall for membership; or transferring from another local of the same international with a transfer card from your current hall. For fees and requirements, contact the hall at (269) 382-1762.
We haven't found an official source for IBEW Local 131's dues or membership rules. To confirm, contact the hall at (269) 382-1762.
We haven't found an official source for IBEW Local 131's member benefits. To confirm, contact the hall at (269) 382-1762.
Coverage unverified, contact the hall. No reviewed published boundary is held for this local; office location does not establish jurisdiction.
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No comparable official rate held. No trade average or another hall’s rate is substituted.
Confirm the current agreement, classification, zone and effective schedule with the hall; a package is not take-home pay.
Membership fees, dues and admission rules are not verified in our held official records. Confirm directly with the hall.
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Recruiting inquiries go to Gulfstream, not IBEW Local 131. Membership, dispatch and apprenticeship applications must go directly to the hall. Gulfstream is union-independent and recruits for commercial mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors.
Gulfstream recruits for commercial electrical contractors. These are direct-hire roles, not union dispatch.