Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 294 in Hibbing, MN earn $47.22/hr in base wages, or $82.13/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Jul 2026.
IBEW Local 294 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 294 pay scale for 2026 is $47.22 per hour for journeymen in Hibbing, MN, or about $94,440 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $82.13 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 7/25/26.
| Local 294 journeyman hourly wage | $47.22 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $82.13 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $94,440 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $21.25–$23.61 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 7/25/26 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
A Local 294 apprentice in Hibbing, MN starts at roughly $21.25 an hour — about 45% of the $47.22 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $35.42 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 294 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $21.25 / hour | $42,498 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $25.97 / hour | $51,942 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $30.69 / hour | $61,386 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $35.42 / hour | $70,830 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $40.14 / hour | $80,274 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $47.22 / hour | $94,440 |
IBEW Local 294 represents a specialized workforce of inside wiremen and electrical professionals centered in Hibbing, Minnesota. The jurisdiction is defined by the unique economic landscape of the Iron Range, where electrical infrastructure demands are heavily influenced by mining operations, industrial processing, and regional commercial development. Since 2014, our firm has observed that this local provides a critical labor pool for the specialized high-voltage and instrumentation needs of the Upper Midwest. The technical requirements for these members often exceed standard commercial wiring, as they must navigate the complexities of heavy industrial sites alongside traditional municipal and residential electrical projects across Northern Minnesota.
This market is characterized by a high degree of seasonality and project-based labor demand, making the union's dispatch system essential for both traveling wiremen and local residents. Local 294 operates under the umbrella of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, maintaining rigorous safety standards tailored to the harsh environmental conditions of the region. For contractors, signatory status with Local 294 offers access to a workforce trained through the JATC system, ensuring that large-scale industrial upgrades and infrastructure expansions are handled by qualified personnel who understand the specific code requirements and industrial safety protocols prevalent in the St. Louis County and Itasca County areas.
The current compensation structure for IBEW Local 294 journeymen is established at an hourly rate of $47.22, effective July 25, 2026. This base rate is supplemented by a robust fringe benefit package, bringing the total compensation to $82.13 per hour. Apprentices in the program earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that increases as they complete specific intervals of on-the-job training and classroom instruction through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. These steps typically begin at 40-50% for first-year apprentices and scale upward annually until reaching full journeyman status. The $34.91 difference between the check and the total package reflects employer contributions to health coverage, multiple retirement vehicles, and training funds, providing a stable economic foundation for electrical workers in the Hibbing market.
The jurisdiction of IBEW Local 294 covers a significant portion of Northern Minnesota, anchored by the Hibbing market and extending across the Iron Range. The territory includes major industrial hubs and residential centers where Local 294 members have exclusive rights to perform electrical installation and maintenance under the Inside Wireman agreement. Dispatch is managed through the Hibbing business office, coordinating labor for projects ranging from taconite plant upgrades to regional hospital expansions. Members are expected to be mobile within the chartered territory, which encompasses several counties in the northern tier of the state, ensuring that signatory contractors can staff projects in remote industrial zones as effectively as in urban centers.
The signatory contractor landscape for IBEW Local 294 consists of a diverse mix of regional industrial specialists and local commercial service providers. Because of the geographic focus on the Iron Range, many signatory mechanical and electrical firms are geared toward heavy industrial maintenance and large-scale mining infrastructure. However, the market also supports several smaller shops focused on municipal buildings, school district renovations, and retail developments. Hiring activity often fluctuates based on the maintenance cycles of major industrial facilities. Contractors benchmarking this market should note that the unified labor agreement provides predictable costs across the jurisdiction, allowing for competitive bidding on both private and public sector projects.
The specific ratio of apprentices to journeymen is governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement to ensure proper supervision and safety. Generally, these ratios are designed to maintain high-quality mentorship while allowing contractors to manage labor costs effectively. You should consult the current Inside Wireman agreement for the exact allowable ratios for different job site sizes.
Yes, through the JATC, members have access to specialized training required for the Iron Range's unique industrial environment. This includes certifications in high-voltage splicing, motor controls, and MSHA safety training, which is mandatory for work on mining properties. These certifications ensure that Local 294 members remain the most qualified workforce for heavy industrial applications.
Overtime rates are typically paid at time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond the standard eight-hour shift or on Saturdays. Sundays and holidays generally command double-time rates. These provisions are strictly defined in the CBA to compensate members for working outside of standard hours, particularly during urgent industrial shutdowns or emergency repair situations.
Travelers from other IBEW locals can work in Local 294's jurisdiction by signing the 'Book 2' out-of-work list. Dispatch priority is always given to local members on Book 1. Traveling wiremen must adhere to the Local 294 wage scale and fringe contributions, which are remitted back to their home locals through the ERTS reciprocity system.
IBEW Local 294 is seated in Hibbing, Minnesota (MN). We hold published wage sheets for 13 locals across Minnesota — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Hibbing and the rest of Minnesota, including contractors signatory to IBEW Local 294. 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 294 pay scale for 2026 is $47.22 per hour for journeymen in Hibbing, MN, or about $94,440 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $82.13 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 7/25/26.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 294 agreement make $47.22 an hour in base wages, or $82.13 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 7/25/26. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$47.22 per hour base wage and $82.13 per hour total package for a journeyman in Hibbing, MN, effective 7/25/26. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $94,440 before overtime.
A Local 294 apprentice in Hibbing, MN starts at roughly $21.25 an hour — about 45% of the $47.22 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $35.42 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 294 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $21.25 an hour, or roughly $42,498 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $47.22 journeyman rate effective 7/25/26. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $30.69 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $35.42 an hour in the fourth period and $47.22 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 294 training center.
The current IBEW Local 294 journeyman rate is $47.22/hour, with a total package of $82.13/hour including fringe benefits, effective 7/25/26. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $94,440 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 294 business office before relying on the figure.
The $47.22/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $82.13/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 294 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 $47.22/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $21.25–$23.61/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 294 is headquartered in Hibbing, MN 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 294 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 294 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 294 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 294 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 7/25/26 schedule; check with the Local 294 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 294 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.