Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 270 in Oak Ridge, TN earn $33/hr in base wages, or $52.76/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Aug 2025.
IBEW Local 270 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 270 pay scale for 2026 is $33.00 per hour for journeymen in Oak Ridge, TN, or about $66,000 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $52.76 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 8/3/25.
| Local 270 journeyman hourly wage | $33.00 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $52.76 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $66,000 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $14.85–$16.50 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 8/3/25 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
A Local 270 apprentice in Oak Ridge, TN starts at roughly $14.85 an hour — about 45% of the $33.00 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $24.75 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 270 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $14.85 / hour | $29,700 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $18.15 / hour | $36,300 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $21.45 / hour | $42,900 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $24.75 / hour | $49,500 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $28.05 / hour | $56,100 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $33.00 / hour | $66,000 |
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 270 serves as the primary labor organization for Inside Wiremen and electrical professionals across the Oak Ridge, Tennessee market. Established to provide a highly skilled workforce for critical national infrastructure and industrial facilities, this local operates at the intersection of high-security government installations and private sector expansion. The unique concentration of research, nuclear, and high-tech manufacturing in this region demands a workforce capable of adhering to rigorous safety standards and complex technical specifications. Gulfstream Strategic Placements has monitored this specific market since 2014, observing how the specialized nature of East Tennessee's energy sector drives consistent demand for qualified journey-level electricians.
The market surrounding Oak Ridge is distinct from neighboring metropolitan areas due to the persistent influence of large-scale industrial projects and long-term facility maintenance cycles. Local 270 members are responsible for the installation and upkeep of power systems, lighting, and sophisticated control wiring that keep these essential operations running. For the tradesperson, this means a career path often defined by stability and exposure to advanced electrical technologies not always found in standard commercial construction. For signatory contractors, the local provides a deep bench of vetted labor, ensuring that large-scale project timelines are met with personnel who have undergone standardized, federally-registered apprenticeship training and rigorous background clearances necessary for high-value job sites.
Effective August 3, 2025, the Journeyman Inside Wireman rate for IBEW Local 270 is established at $33.00 per hour, contributing to a total compensation package of $52.76 per hour. This $19.76 difference covers essential fringe benefits including health insurance and multiple retirement vehicles. Apprentices within the Local 270 program earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that increases as they progress through the five-year Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) curriculum. Typically, a first-year apprentice starts at approximately 40-50% of the scale, with annual increments tied to the successful completion of classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. By the final year of the program, apprentices generally reach 80-85% of the full rate before sitting for their journeyman exam and achieving the full $33.00 hourly wage.
The chartered jurisdiction of IBEW Local 270 is centered in Oak Ridge and encompasses a strategic footprint in East Tennessee. This territory includes major industrial zones, government-owned facilities, and surrounding municipalities that rely on the local for electrical infrastructure. Work under this agreement covers the installation, assembly, and maintenance of all electrical equipment, including power distribution, interior wiring, and industrial control systems. Members must be prepared for dispatch to various sites within these counties, ranging from new construction footprints to long-term facility outages. The local works closely with neighboring IBEW locals to coordinate labor needs for large regional projects, ensuring that signatory contractors have access to the necessary manpower across county lines when required by the project's scale.
The signatory contractor landscape for IBEW Local 270 is characterized by a mix of national industrial electrical firms and specialized regional contractors. These entities primarily focus on high-voltage industrial installations, government facility maintenance, and complex commercial projects. Hiring typically follows the fluctuations of major project cycles, with significant labor calls occurring during plant shutdowns or the commencement of new facility phases. Unlike general residential markets, the contractors operating in this jurisdiction are often geared toward heavy power requirements and precision instrumentation. This environment creates a professional atmosphere where safety compliance and technical proficiency are the highest priorities for both the contractor and the field labor force.
The total compensation package is $52.76 per hour. This includes the $33.00 base hourly wage plus $19.76 in fringe benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions, and training funds. This package ensures that the worker receives both immediate take-home pay and long-term financial security, which is a significant advantage over non-union electrical positions in the region.
Due to the presence of Department of Energy facilities, many projects within Local 270's jurisdiction require the ability to obtain federal security clearances. Workers must generally pass background checks and drug screenings. While not every project requires a 'Q' or 'L' clearance, having a clean record is highly beneficial for accessing a wider range of high-paying industrial job sites in this specific market.
Wage increases are determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated between the IBEW and the a mechanical contractor Association (NECA). These increases are usually scheduled annually or bi-annually. The current $33.00 rate is effective starting August 3, 2025. Members should refer to their official wage scale sheet for future step increases or cost-of-living adjustments.
Yes, IBEW members can work in Local 270's jurisdiction as 'travelers' by signing the Book 2 at the dispatch hall. To permanently transfer your ticket (Book 1 status), you generally must establish residency in the jurisdiction and receive approval from the local's executive board, which often depends on the current labor market demand and the length of time you have worked in the area.
IBEW Local 270 is seated in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (TN). We hold published wage sheets for 14 locals across Tennessee — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Oak Ridge and the rest of Tennessee, including contractors signatory to IBEW Local 270. 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 270 pay scale for 2026 is $33.00 per hour for journeymen in Oak Ridge, TN, or about $66,000 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $52.76 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 8/3/25.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 270 agreement make $33.00 an hour in base wages, or $52.76 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 8/3/25. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$33.00 per hour base wage and $52.76 per hour total package for a journeyman in Oak Ridge, TN, effective 8/3/25. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $66,000 before overtime.
A Local 270 apprentice in Oak Ridge, TN starts at roughly $14.85 an hour — about 45% of the $33.00 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $24.75 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 270 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $14.85 an hour, or roughly $29,700 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $33.00 journeyman rate effective 8/3/25. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $21.45 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $24.75 an hour in the fourth period and $33.00 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 270 training center.
The current IBEW Local 270 journeyman rate is $33.00/hour, with a total package of $52.76/hour including fringe benefits, effective 8/3/25. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $66,000 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 270 business office before relying on the figure.
The $33.00/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $52.76/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 270 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 $33.00/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $14.85–$16.50/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 270 is headquartered in Oak Ridge, TN 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 270 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 270 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 270 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 270 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 8/3/25 schedule; check with the Local 270 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 270 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.