Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 46 in Seattle, WA earn $76.95/hr in base wages, or $112.64/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Feb 2026.
IBEW Local 46 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.
The Local 46 pay scale for 2026 is $76.95 per hour for journeymen in Seattle, WA, or about $153,900 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $112.64 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 2/18/26.
| Local 46 journeyman hourly wage | $76.95 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $112.64 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $153,900 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $34.63–$38.48 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 2/18/26 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
A Local 46 apprentice in Seattle, WA starts at roughly $34.63 an hour — about 45% of the $76.95 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $57.71 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 46 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $34.63 / hour | $69,255 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $42.32 / hour | $84,645 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $50.02 / hour | $100,035 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $57.71 / hour | $115,425 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $65.41 / hour | $130,815 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $76.95 / hour | $153,900 |
IBEW Local 46 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call (253) 395-6500 to confirm dispatch hours, 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 46 represents a significant labor force in the Pacific Northwest, covering King, Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam counties. As the primary bargaining unit for electrical workers in the Seattle-Tacoma corridor, the local manages a diverse portfolio of work including commercial construction, industrial facilities, and large-scale residential projects. The high density of tech infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and maritime industries in the Puget Sound region creates a sustained demand for skilled labor. Membership in this local provides access to the most sophisticated electrical projects in Washington, supported by a robust collective bargaining framework that ensures standardized safety protocols and technical excellence across all signatory sites.
Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has monitored the Seattle electrical market as a critical hub for high-voltage and low-voltage expertise. The local's influence extends beyond traditional electrical installation into telecommunications, sound and communication, and residential specialty sectors. Given the rapid growth of data centers and urban high-rise developments in Seattle and Bellevue, Local 46 maintains a rigorous stance on training and certification. This focus ensures that signatory contractors have access to a workforce capable of meeting strict Washington State Department of Labor and Industries requirements. For the tradesperson, this market offers some of the highest compensation packages in the United States, reflecting the region's cost of living and technical complexity.
The current Journeyman Wireman hourly rate is set at $76.95, part of a comprehensive $112.64 total package that includes benefits and fringes. This wage reflects the high-demand nature of the Seattle metropolitan area. Apprentices enter the program at a percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting around 40% to 50% and receiving incremental raises every 1,000 to 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, provided they maintain satisfactory progress in their classroom studies at the Puget Sound Electrical JATC. By the time an apprentice reaches their final year, they are often earning 85% or more of the full scale. These structured increases provide a transparent path for career growth and ensure that labor costs remain predictable for signatory mechanical and electrical contractors bidding on long-term regional infrastructure projects.
The territorial jurisdiction of IBEW Local 46 covers four key counties in Washington: King, Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam. This encompasses the entire Seattle metropolitan core, the Eastside tech corridor including Bellevue and Redmond, and the Olympic Peninsula. The local's charter governs all inside electrical work, including the installation and maintenance of electrical systems in commercial, industrial, and residential structures. Due to the geographic diversity of the jurisdiction—ranging from dense urban centers to rural coastal areas—members may be dispatched to various job sites depending on project needs and contractor requirements. Travel and subsistence provisions within the collective bargaining agreement dictate how members are compensated when working outside of the primary dispatch zones.
The signatory landscape for Local 46 consists of a wide range of employers, from global electrical contractors performing heavy industrial and data center work to specialized regional shops focused on tenant improvements and residential service. Many of these firms are members of the a mechanical contractor Association (NECA), which bargains collectively with the union. The market is currently characterized by a strong emphasis on sustainable energy, with many contractors specializing in EV infrastructure and energy-efficient building automation. Hiring typically follows the referral hall system, where contractors request labor based on project volume, ensuring a steady flow of qualified personnel to major commercial developments and public works projects throughout the Puget Sound.
The total package is valued at $112.64 per hour. This includes the $76.95 base hourly wage plus $35.69 in fringe benefits such as pension contributions, health insurance, and training funds. These rates are scheduled to be effective as of February 18, 2026, and represent the highest tier of compensation for inside wiremen in the state of Washington.
Yes, Local 46 has specific units for Limited Energy (Sound and Communication) and Residential work. While the Journeyman Inside Wireman rate of $76.95 is the benchmark for commercial work, these other classifications have their own specific wage scales and apprenticeship paths. Those interested in telecommunications or residential wiring should specify their interest during the application process.
Local 46 utilizes a referral hall system where members sign 'out-of-work' books based on their classification. When signatory contractors need labor, they submit a call to the hall, which is filled by members in the order they signed the book. This ensures fair access to work opportunities across the King and Kitsap county jurisdictions.
While there is no strict residency requirement to join, applicants must be able to reliably travel to job sites throughout the jurisdiction, which includes Seattle, Bellevue, and the Olympic Peninsula. Most apprentices and journeymen live within the Puget Sound region to manage the commute to the various commercial and industrial hubs served by the local.
IBEW Local 46 is seated in Seattle, Washington (WA). We hold published wage sheets for 11 locals across Washington — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Seattle and the rest of Washington, including contractors signatory to IBEW Local 46. 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 46 pay scale for 2026 is $76.95 per hour for journeymen in Seattle, WA, or about $153,900 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $112.64 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 2/18/26.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 46 agreement make $76.95 an hour in base wages, or $112.64 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 2/18/26. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$76.95 per hour base wage and $112.64 per hour total package for a journeyman in Seattle, WA, effective 2/18/26. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $153,900 before overtime.
A Local 46 apprentice in Seattle, WA starts at roughly $34.63 an hour — about 45% of the $76.95 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $57.71 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 46 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $34.63 an hour, or roughly $69,255 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $76.95 journeyman rate effective 2/18/26. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $50.02 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $57.71 an hour in the fourth period and $76.95 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 46 training center.
The current IBEW Local 46 journeyman rate is $76.95/hour, with a total package of $112.64/hour including fringe benefits, effective 2/18/26. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $153,900 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 46 business office before relying on the figure.
The $76.95/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $112.64/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 46 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 $76.95/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $34.63–$38.48/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 46 is headquartered in Seattle, WA 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 46 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 46 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 46 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 46 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 2/18/26 schedule; check with the Local 46 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 46 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.
The IBEW Local 46 hall is at 19802 62nd Ave S, Suite 105, Kent, WA 98032, serving Seattle, WA and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: (253) 395-6500.
IBEW Local 46 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at (253) 395-6500 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 46 can be reached at (253) 395-6500. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.