Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 1340 in Newport News, VA earn $35.53/hr in base wages, or $50.32/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Mar 2026.
IBEW Local 1340 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 1340 pay scale for 2026 is $35.53 per hour for journeymen in Newport News, VA, or about $71,060 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $50.32 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 3/6/26.
| Local 1340 journeyman hourly wage | $35.53 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $50.32 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $71,060 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $15.99–$17.77 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 3/6/26 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
A Local 1340 apprentice in Newport News, VA starts at roughly $15.99 an hour — about 45% of the $35.53 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $26.65 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 1340 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $15.99 / hour | $31,977 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $19.54 / hour | $39,083 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $23.09 / hour | $46,189 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $26.65 / hour | $53,295 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $30.20 / hour | $60,401 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $35.53 / hour | $71,060 |
IBEW Local 1340 represents skilled electrical workers across the Virginia Peninsula and surrounding regions, serving as a critical labor source for the Tidewater area's industrial and commercial infrastructure. Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has monitored the labor trends in this market, where the proximity to major federal installations and maritime facilities dictates a high standard for technical proficiency and safety certifications. Members of Local 1340 are trained to handle complex electrical systems, ranging from heavy industrial power distribution to sophisticated commercial lighting and control systems. The local maintains a strong presence in Newport News, providing a structured workforce for signatory contractors who require reliable, drug-free labor for long-term capital projects and essential facility maintenance.
The Virginia Peninsula market is distinct due to its concentration of defense-related infrastructure and heavy manufacturing. IBEW Local 1340 ensures that its members are equipped to meet these rigorous demands through standardized training and a collective bargaining agreement that stabilizes labor costs for contractors. This stability is vital for the region's economic health, allowing for predictable bidding on large-scale developments. For the individual electrician, the union provides a clear career path with guaranteed benefits and wage increases that are often unavailable in the non-union sector. As the energy landscape shifts toward renewables and advanced electrical grids, this local remains at the forefront of implementing new technologies while maintaining the core electrical standards required for safe and efficient operations.
Based on the figures effective March 6, 2026, the Journeyman Wireman hourly rate for IBEW Local 1340 is set at $35.53, contributing to a total compensation package of $50.32 per hour. This package includes the base check, health and welfare contributions, and retirement funds. Apprentices in the Tidewater Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) program progress through a tiered wage structure based on a percentage of the journeyman rate. Typically, first-year apprentices start at approximately 40-50% of the scale, receiving incremental raises every 1,000 to 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and successful completion of classroom modules. By their fifth and final year, apprentices often earn 80-85% of the full journeyman rate, ensuring their compensation matches their growing technical expertise and autonomy on the job site.
The chartered jurisdiction of IBEW Local 1340 covers a significant portion of the Virginia Peninsula and the Middle Peninsula. This territory includes the cities of Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, as well as several surrounding counties. Work under this agreement encompasses all inside electrical construction, including commercial builds, industrial installations, and institutional maintenance. Members are dispatched from the Newport News headquarters to various sites throughout the Tidewater region. The jurisdiction is strategically located to service the dense industrial corridor along the James and York Rivers, where signatory contractors manage everything from hospital expansions to specialized manufacturing facility upgrades. Contractors operating within this zone must adhere to the local's work rules and safety protocols defined in the standing CBA.
The contractor landscape for IBEW Local 1340 is a mix of large-scale mechanical-electrical primes and specialized local shops. These signatory firms range from national contractors performing industrial work at major regional hubs to mid-sized firms focused on commercial office space, retail, and municipal buildings. Because the Newport News market is heavily influenced by federal and defense spending, many signatory contractors are highly experienced in navigating strict security clearances and specialized building codes. Hiring typically fluctuates based on major project cycles, with significant demand spikes during large industrial outages or new institutional construction. The union serves as a central clearinghouse, providing these contractors with a scalable workforce that meets the technical demands of the Peninsula's diverse project portfolio.
The $35.53 hourly wage is the gross amount appearing on an electrician's paycheck before taxes. The $50.32 total package includes that wage plus an additional $14.79 per hour in employer-paid benefits like health insurance and pension contributions. These fringes are paid by the contractor on top of the wage and are not deducted from the member's hourly pay.
Yes, due to the heavy industrial and federal presence in the Newport News jurisdiction, members often need OSHA 10 or 30 safety cards. Some sites may also require specialized certifications for high-voltage splicing or instrumentation. The JATC provides the necessary training to ensure members can meet these rigorous site-specific requirements before they are dispatched.
Experienced electricians can join through a process known as organizing or 'buying a book.' Candidates typically must demonstrate their years of experience and pass a journeyman wireman exam to prove their proficiency. A business representative will evaluate their work history to determine the appropriate classification and whether additional bridge training is required to meet the local's standards.
Wage increases are determined through collective bargaining between the IBEW and the a mechanical contractor Association (NECA). These increases are usually scheduled annually or semi-annually throughout the duration of the multi-year contract. The current schedule shows a confirmed rate effective through early 2026, after which a new agreement or extension will define future escalations.
IBEW Local 1340 is seated in Newport News, Virginia (VA). We hold published wage sheets for 5 locals across Virginia — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Newport News and the rest of Virginia, including contractors signatory to IBEW Local 1340. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place union-scale tradespeople and field leadership nationwide.
Gulfstream Strategic Placements, 4160 Temescal Canyon Road, Suite 401, Corona, CA 92883. Phone (951) 208-7780. Email hello@gulfstreamsp.com. Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM Pacific.View our verified Google Business Profile
Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 1340 pay scale for 2026 is $35.53 per hour for journeymen in Newport News, VA, or about $71,060 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $50.32 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 3/6/26.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 1340 agreement make $35.53 an hour in base wages, or $50.32 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 3/6/26. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$35.53 per hour base wage and $50.32 per hour total package for a journeyman in Newport News, VA, effective 3/6/26. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $71,060 before overtime.
A Local 1340 apprentice in Newport News, VA starts at roughly $15.99 an hour — about 45% of the $35.53 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $26.65 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 1340 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $15.99 an hour, or roughly $31,977 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $35.53 journeyman rate effective 3/6/26. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $23.09 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $26.65 an hour in the fourth period and $35.53 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 1340 training center.
The current IBEW Local 1340 journeyman rate is $35.53/hour, with a total package of $50.32/hour including fringe benefits, effective 3/6/26. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $71,060 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 1340 business office before relying on the figure.
The $35.53/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $50.32/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 1340 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 $35.53/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $15.99–$17.77/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 1340 is headquartered in Newport News, VA 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 1340 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 1340 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 1340 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 1340 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 3/6/26 schedule; check with the Local 1340 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 1340 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.