Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 481 in Indianapolis, IN earn $45.45/hr in base wages, or $72.96/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Jun 2025.
No matching active electricians roles in IN right now. Get alerts for new openings.
IBEW Local 481 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 481 pay scale for 2026 is $45.45 per hour for journeymen in Indianapolis, IN, or about $90,900 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $72.96 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 6/12/25.
| Local 481 journeyman hourly wage | $45.45 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $72.96 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $90,900 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $20.45–$22.73 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 6/12/25 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
A Local 481 apprentice in Indianapolis, IN starts at roughly $20.45 an hour — about 45% of the $45.45 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $34.09 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 481 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $20.45 / hour | $40,905 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $25.00 / hour | $49,995 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $29.54 / hour | $59,085 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $34.09 / hour | $68,175 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $38.63 / hour | $77,265 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $45.45 / hour | $90,900 |
We'll email you when the IBEW Local 481 rate is updated, plus union-shop electricians openings near Indianapolis, IN. Sign up for rate updates. Free alerts from Gulfstream Strategic Placements. We are not affiliated with IBEW Local 481.
Local 481 wages: $45.45 an hour on the journeyman scale, $72.96 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 6/12/25. That is the most recent Indianapolis, IN sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Roughly 38% of the IBEW Local 481 package is employer-paid benefits and fringes rather than wages, which is why the package figure and a take-home hourly rate are not the same number.
Unverified: crowd-sourced figure (unionpayscales.com), not confirmed against the local's own wage sheet
Download the IBEW Local 481 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective June 12, 2025.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | $27.51/hr | Derived: total package minus base wage. This is the employer's combined hourly contribution to the funds, not take-home pay. |
|---|---|---|
| What the contributions fund | Health & welfare, pension, annuity, training and industry funds | Standard fund categories in mechanical and electrical agreements. The exact split between funds is set in the local's agreement — the hall or fund office publishes the schedule. |
| Paid on | Every hour worked | Fringe contributions are made per hour worked, so they scale with dispatched hours and are paid to the funds rather than to the member. |
The rates above are the IBEW Local 481 scale used across the Indianapolis, IN area. 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 Indianapolis metro, so a electrician wage quoted locally is normally this scale plus the fringe package shown in the table.
Gulfstream recruits electrician talent for commercial mechanical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around Indianapolis. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 481 rates. For current Indianapolis scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
IBEW Local 481 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — contact the hall to confirm dispatch procedure and what to bring 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 481 serves as the primary labor organization for inside wiremen and electrical professionals across the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area. Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has monitored the Central Indiana labor market, identifying this local as a critical hub for industrial manufacturing and commercial high-rise development. The union represents thousands of skilled electricians who provide essential power, lighting, and control systems for the region's diverse economic sectors. By maintaining strict training standards through their Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Local 481 ensures that signatory contractors have access to a workforce capable of handling complex electrical infrastructure, from medical campuses to automotive production facilities.
The market importance of Local 481 is underscored by its role in stabilizing labor costs for major capital projects in Marion County and surrounding jurisdictions. As the electrical trade evolves with renewable energy and building automation, this local provides the specialized technical expertise required for modern energy management systems. For contractors, partnering with this local offers a predictable pricing model and a deep pool of pre-screened, safety-trained talent. For the tradesperson, the local acts as a career anchor, offering portable benefits and a structured advancement path that remains competitive against non-union benchmarks in the Midwest construction landscape.
The economic framework for IBEW Local 481 establishes a robust total compensation package, which is set to reach $72.96 per hour effective June 12, 2025. Of this total, the Journeyman Wireman hourly base rate is $45.45, with the remaining $27.51 allocated to employer-funded fringe benefits including health insurance and multiple retirement vehicles. Apprentices within the five-year program see their earnings increase as a percentage of the journeyman rate. Typically, first-year apprentices start at approximately 40-45% of the base scale, progressing through annual increments until they reach 100% upon passing their licensing exams and completing required classroom hours. These standardized step-ups ensure that as a worker's technical proficiency and site responsibilities grow, their compensation reflects their increasing value to the signatory contractor.
The chartered jurisdiction for IBEW Local 481 covers a broad geographic area centered in Indianapolis, extending across several key Central Indiana counties. This territory includes all electrical work related to commercial, industrial, and residential sectors within its boundaries. Members are dispatched to job sites ranging from suburban logistics centers to downtown urban revitalization projects. The local's authority covers the installation, maintenance, and repair of all electrical systems, including high-voltage distribution, fire alarm systems, and telecommunications cabling. Travel and subsistence rules are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, ensuring that members are fairly compensated when working at the furthest reaches of the local's geographic footprint.
The signatory landscape for Local 481 is characterized by a mix of large-scale mechanical-electrical primes and specialized boutique shops. These firms range from national electrical contractors who handle massive industrial shutdowns and stadium projects to local family-owned businesses focused on tenant improvements and commercial service work. The stability of this contractor base is supported by the Indianapolis Chapter of NECA, which collaborates with the local to maintain industry standards. For workers, this diversity means opportunities across various niches, including renewable energy installations, healthcare facilities, and heavy industrial automation, providing a buffer against downturns in any single construction sector.
The base rate of $45.45 is the gross hourly pay reflected on a member's paycheck before taxes. The total package of $72.96 includes the base rate plus $27.51 in fringe benefits paid by the employer. These benefits include health insurance and retirement contributions, which are not deducted from the base wage but are paid in addition to it.
Yes, while the Inside Wireman agreement is the primary contract, Local 481 also supports classifications for Voice-Data-Video (VDV) and residential work. These classifications often have different wage scales and apprenticeship durations tailored to the specific technical requirements of low-voltage systems and residential construction environments.
Wage adjustments are determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated between the IBEW and NECA. These typically occur on an annual or semi-annual basis. The June 2025 increase is part of a scheduled progression that helps members and contractors plan for labor costs well in advance.
Travelers and members seeking a permanent transfer (changing their 'Home Local') must follow the procedures outlined in the IBEW Constitution. This generally involves working in the jurisdiction on a Travel Letter, establishing residency, and receiving approval from the Local 481 Business Manager and Executive Board.
IBEW Local 481 is seated in Indianapolis, Indiana (IN). We hold published wage sheets for 15 locals across Indiana — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
Gulfstream Strategic Placements recruits mechanical construction and service staff for contractors nationwide, union and open shop. These are markets where we run the most searches: Phoenix mechanical recruiter · Bay Area mechanical recruiter · Las Vegas mechanical recruiter · Sacramento mechanical recruiter. Post a role.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Indianapolis and the rest of Indiana, including contractors signatory to IBEW Local 481. 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 481 pay scale for 2026 is $45.45 per hour for journeymen in Indianapolis, IN, or about $90,900 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $72.96 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 6/12/25.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 481 agreement make $45.45 an hour in base wages, or $72.96 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 6/12/25. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$45.45 per hour base wage and $72.96 per hour total package for a journeyman in Indianapolis, IN, effective 6/12/25. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $90,900 before overtime.
A Local 481 apprentice in Indianapolis, IN starts at roughly $20.45 an hour — about 45% of the $45.45 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $34.09 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 481 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $20.45 an hour, or roughly $40,905 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $45.45 journeyman rate effective 6/12/25. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $29.54 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $34.09 an hour in the fourth period and $45.45 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 481 training center.
Local 481 wages: $45.45 an hour on the journeyman scale, $72.96 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 6/12/25. That is the most recent Indianapolis, IN sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published IBEW Local 481 journeyman rate is $45.45 an hour ($72.96 total package), effective 6/12/25 — roughly $90,900 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. Confirm the effective agreement with the local.
Yes — a one-page printable IBEW Local 481 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ibew-local-481-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $45.45 hourly scale, the $72.96 total package and the 6/12/25 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current IBEW Local 481 journeyman rate is $45.45/hour, with a total package of $72.96/hour including fringe benefits, effective 6/12/25. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $90,900 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 481 business office before relying on the figure.
The $45.45/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $72.96/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 481 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 $45.45/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $20.45–$22.73/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 481 is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN 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 481 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 481 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 481 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 481 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 6/12/25 schedule; check with the Local 481 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 481 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.
The IBEW Local 481 hall is at 1828 N Meridian St #205, Indianapolis, IN 46202, serving Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding jurisdiction.
IBEW Local 481 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Contact the hall 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 481 does not publish a phone number in the directory data we import; check the local's official site for current contact details.
$45.45/hr in base wages for journeyman inside wireman, or $72.96/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective June 12, 2025 per the unionpayscales.com wage sheet.
June 12, 2025. Pulled from the local's current published CBA wage sheet on unionpayscales.com and cross-checked at build time. High confidence for offer benchmarking.
No — the $45.45/hr base is wages only. Employers contribute roughly $27.51/hr more per hour worked to health and welfare, pension, annuity and training funds, which is the difference between the base and the $72.96/hr package.
No. Gulfstream Strategic Placements is a private mechanical construction recruiting firm. We are not affiliated with the local, we do not run dispatch, and we do not set or negotiate union rates. We publish the local's own sourced figures as a reference for members and contractors.
High confidence — last cross-checked against the source on Sep 23, 2026 (7 days ago). Always confirm the current step with the hall before relying on it for an offer.