Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 488 in Bridgeport, CT earn $47.40/hr in base wages, or $83.17/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Apr 2025.
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IBEW Local 488 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 488 pay scale for 2026 is $47.40 per hour for journeymen in Bridgeport, CT, or about $94,800 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $83.17 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 4/25/25.
| Local 488 journeyman hourly wage | $47.40 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $83.17 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $94,800 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $21.33–$23.70 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 4/25/25 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
A Local 488 apprentice in Bridgeport, CT starts at roughly $21.33 an hour — about 45% of the $47.40 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $35.55 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 488 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $21.33 / hour | $42,660 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $26.07 / hour | $52,140 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $30.81 / hour | $61,620 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $35.55 / hour | $71,100 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $40.29 / hour | $80,580 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $47.40 / hour | $94,800 |
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Local 488 wages: $47.40 an hour on the journeyman scale, $83.17 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 4/25/25. That is the most recent Bridgeport, CT sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Roughly 43% of the IBEW Local 488 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 488 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective April 25, 2025.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | $35.77/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 488 scale used across the Bridgeport, CT 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 Bridgeport 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 Bridgeport. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 488 rates. For current Bridgeport scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
IBEW Local 488 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.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 488 represents skilled inside wiremen and electrical professionals throughout the greater Bridgeport, Connecticut region. Established to maintain high standards for safety and craftsmanship, this local serves as a critical labor source for the diverse construction landscape of Fairfield and Litchfield counties. Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has monitored the labor dynamics in this corridor, where the demand for qualified electrical labor is driven by a mix of institutional healthcare expansions, educational infrastructure, and high-density residential developments. The local ensures that its members receive competitive compensation while providing signatory contractors with a highly trained workforce capable of executing complex electrical systems.
The Bridgeport market presents unique challenges due to its proximity to both the New York metropolitan area and the Hartford industrial corridor. Local 488 acts as the central hub for electrical training and dispatch, ensuring that large-scale commercial and industrial projects have access to manpower that meets National Electrical Code standards. Members of Local 488 work on everything from high-voltage industrial power distribution to sophisticated low-voltage building automation systems. By participating in a collective bargaining agreement, these electricians benefit from a structured career path and a comprehensive fringe package that includes health insurance and multiple retirement vehicles, stabilizing the regional labor market for both workers and employers.
Based on the figures effective April 25, 2025, a Journeyman Wireman in IBEW Local 488 earns a base hourly rate of $47.40. When factoring in fringes—including health and welfare, pension contributions, and annuity payments—the total hourly package reaches $83.17. Apprenticeship progression is structured as a percentage of this journeyman rate, typically starting at approximately 40% for first-year students and increasing annually as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. By the fifth year, senior apprentices often earn between 70% and 80% of the full scale. This transparent ladder allows new entrants to forecast their earnings accurately as they move toward licensure and journeyman status within the Connecticut electrical trade.
The jurisdiction of IBEW Local 488 covers a significant portion of Western Connecticut, centered in Bridgeport and extending across much of Fairfield County and parts of Litchfield County. The charter grants the local exclusive rights to perform electrical work under the inside wireman agreement within these geographic boundaries. This includes major hubs such as Stratford, Fairfield, and Milford, reaching into the Naugatuck Valley and northern rural sectors. Dispatching occurs from the Bridgeport headquarters, where members are assigned to signatory projects based on an out-of-work list. Contractors operating in this territory must adhere to the local's work rules, which govern overtime, shift differentials, and travel pay for jobsites located at the outer edges of the jurisdiction.
The signatory contractor landscape for Local 488 is composed of a diverse mix of regional electrical primes and specialized subcontractors. These firms range from large-scale mechanical-electrical entities capable of handling multi-million dollar hospital expansions to smaller, niche shops focused on municipal maintenance and commercial fit-outs. Hiring typically fluctuates based on major project cycles in the Bridgeport and Fairfield markets. While Gulfstream Strategic Placements tracks the employment trends of these signatory firms, individual electricians gain access to these employers primarily through the local's referral hall. The stability of this contractor base is bolstered by the local's commitment to providing a workforce that is already OSHA-certified and current on Connecticut licensing requirements.
The base rate of $47.40 is the gross hourly pay reflected on a member's paycheck before taxes. The total package of $83.17 includes an additional $35.77 per hour paid by the employer into benefits like health insurance and pensions. These fringes are not deducted from the base wage; they are paid in addition to it, providing a higher total value of compensation.
Travelers and members looking to transfer into Local 488 must follow the procedures outlined in the IBEW Constitution and the local's bylaws. Generally, travelers must report to the hall with a valid dues receipt and travel letter. Permanent transfers, or 'getting your ticket' into 488, usually require a specific period of working in the jurisdiction and a vote by the executive board.
Yes, all electricians performing work in Connecticut must hold a valid license issued by the Department of Consumer Protection. Journeymen typically require an E-2 license, while contractors require an E-1. Local 488 and the JATC provide the necessary training and verification of hours required for members to sit for these state examinations and maintain their credentials.
Wage increases are determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiated between Local 488 and the signatory contractors (often represented by NECA). These increases are usually scheduled annually or semi-annually. The current scheduled rate of $47.40 takes effect on April 25, 2025. Future increases beyond the current contract term are determined during subsequent rounds of negotiations.
IBEW Local 488 is seated in Bridgeport, Connecticut (CT). We hold published wage sheets for 5 locals across Connecticut — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
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We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Bridgeport and the rest of Connecticut, including contractors signatory to IBEW Local 488. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place union-scale tradespeople and field leadership nationwide.
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Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 488 pay scale for 2026 is $47.40 per hour for journeymen in Bridgeport, CT, or about $94,800 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $83.17 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 4/25/25.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 488 agreement make $47.40 an hour in base wages, or $83.17 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 4/25/25. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$47.40 per hour base wage and $83.17 per hour total package for a journeyman in Bridgeport, CT, effective 4/25/25. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $94,800 before overtime.
A Local 488 apprentice in Bridgeport, CT starts at roughly $21.33 an hour — about 45% of the $47.40 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $35.55 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 488 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $21.33 an hour, or roughly $42,660 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $47.40 journeyman rate effective 4/25/25. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $30.81 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $35.55 an hour in the fourth period and $47.40 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 488 training center.
Local 488 wages: $47.40 an hour on the journeyman scale, $83.17 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 4/25/25. That is the most recent Bridgeport, CT sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published IBEW Local 488 journeyman rate is $47.40 an hour ($83.17 total package), effective 4/25/25 — roughly $94,800 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. Confirm the effective agreement with the local.
Yes — a one-page printable IBEW Local 488 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ibew-local-488-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $47.40 hourly scale, the $83.17 total package and the 4/25/25 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current IBEW Local 488 journeyman rate is $47.40/hour, with a total package of $83.17/hour including fringe benefits, effective 4/25/25. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $94,800 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 488 business office before relying on the figure.
The $47.40/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $83.17/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 488 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 $47.40/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $21.33–$23.70/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 488 is headquartered in Bridgeport, CT 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 488 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 488 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 488 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 488 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 4/25/25 schedule; check with the Local 488 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 488 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.
The IBEW Local 488 hall is at 721 Main St, Monroe, CT 06468, serving Bridgeport, CT and the surrounding jurisdiction.
IBEW Local 488 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 488 does not publish a phone number in the directory data we import; check the local's official site for current contact details.
$47.40/hr in base wages for journeyman inside wireman, or $83.17/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective April 25, 2025 per the unionpayscales.com wage sheet.
April 25, 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 $47.40/hr base is wages only. Employers contribute roughly $35.77/hr more per hour worked to health and welfare, pension, annuity and training funds, which is the difference between the base and the $83.17/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.