Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 5 in Pittsburgh, PA earn $49.11/hr in base wages, or $79.88/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Jan 2026.
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IBEW Local 5 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 5 pay scale for 2026 is $49.11 per hour for journeymen in Pittsburgh, PA, or about $98,220 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $79.88 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 1/25/26.
| Local 5 journeyman hourly wage | $49.11 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $79.88 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $98,220 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $22.10–$24.56 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 1/25/26 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
A Local 5 apprentice in Pittsburgh, PA starts at roughly $22.10 an hour — about 45% of the $49.11 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $36.83 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 5 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $22.10 / hour | $44,199 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $27.01 / hour | $54,021 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $31.92 / hour | $63,843 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $36.83 / hour | $73,665 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $41.74 / hour | $83,487 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $49.11 / hour | $98,220 |
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Local 5 wages: $49.11 an hour on the journeyman scale, $79.88 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 1/25/26. That is the most recent Pittsburgh, PA sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Roughly 39% of the IBEW Local 5 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 5 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective January 25, 2026.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | $30.77/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 5 scale used across the Pittsburgh, PA 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 5 rates. For current Pittsburgh scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
IBEW Local 5 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 5 represents the skilled electrical workforce across Western Pennsylvania, anchored by the Pittsburgh metropolitan market. Since 2014, our recruitment analysts have tracked the impact of this local on the regional construction economy, where their members provide essential power, lighting, and data infrastructure. The local operates a robust training infrastructure through its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, ensuring that signatory contractors have access to electricians who meet rigorous safety and technical standards. This workforce is instrumental in the development of healthcare facilities, educational campuses, and the revitalized industrial sites that define the modern Pittsburgh landscape.
The market served by Local 5 is characterized by a high demand for complex electrical installations in both new construction and modernization projects. Because the region is a hub for technology and medical research, the electrical code requirements and precision needed are significantly higher than in general residential markets. Signatory contractors benefit from a centralized dispatch system and a predictable labor cost structure, which allows for competitive bidding on large-scale public and private works. For the tradesperson, membership offers a path to middle-class stability through negotiated contracts that prioritize fair compensation and comprehensive benefits, maintaining a high standard of living in the Western Pennsylvania region.
Based on the schedule effective January 2026, the Journeyman Wireman hourly rate for IBEW Local 5 is set at $49.11, with a total compensation package reaching $79.88 per hour when including fringe benefits. This package represents the standard for skilled electrical labor in the Pittsburgh market. Apprentices in the five-year program earn a progressive percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting around 40% to 50% in their first year and increasing annually as they complete classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. By the final year of the apprenticeship, workers often earn 80% or more of the full scale. These structured increases ensure that as a technician's value to the contractor grows through skill acquisition, their take-home pay reflects that expertise.
The chartered jurisdiction for IBEW Local 5 covers a significant portion of Western Pennsylvania, extending from the urban core of Pittsburgh into the surrounding rural and suburban counties. This territory includes major economic zones where electrical work falls under the Inside Wireman agreement, covering commercial, industrial, and institutional projects. Members may be dispatched to job sites ranging from high-rise commercial offices to heavy industrial manufacturing plants. The local maintains a strict referral system to manage labor flow across this geography, ensuring that signatory contractors have the necessary manpower for projects of varying scale. Travel requirements are common within the multi-county footprint, and workers are expected to report to various sites within the territorial boundaries.
The contractor landscape for IBEW Local 5 is diverse, consisting of large national electrical firms and established local family-owned enterprises. These signatory mechanical and electrical primes specialize in various sectors, including mission-critical data centers, large-scale stadium projects, and complex hospital renovations. The relationship between the local and its signatory partners is managed through the a mechanical contractor Association (NECA) Western Pennsylvania Chapter. This collaboration ensures a steady pipeline of work and a standardized approach to safety and quality. Hiring typically fluctuates based on major regional development cycles, with high demand often seen in the industrial sectors and higher education expansions across Allegheny County.
The $49.11 hourly rate is the gross amount paid directly to the worker on their paycheck. The $79.88 total package includes that wage plus an additional $30.77 in fringe benefits paid by the contractor. These benefits include health insurance, retirement funds, and training contributions, which are not deducted from the hourly wage but are paid on top of it.
Yes, through the JATC, members have access to advanced training in areas such as EVITP (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program), instrumentation, fire alarm systems, and programmable logic controllers. These certifications allow Journeymen to specialize in high-demand niches within the Pittsburgh market, increasing their value to signatory contractors and ensuring the local remains competitive in emerging technologies.
Wage increases are determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated between IBEW Local 5 and the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of NECA. These increases typically occur on an annual or semi-annual basis as specified in the contract. The current scheduled rate provided reflects the market adjustment effective in early 2026, though specific allocations between wages and fringes are voted on by the membership.
Travelers and members looking to transfer must follow the IBEW Constitution and Local 5's specific bylaws. Typically, this involves signing the Book II out-of-work list for temporary employment. Permanent transfers, often called 'changing your ticket,' usually require a period of working in the jurisdiction, residency in the area, and approval from the Local 5 Executive Board.
IBEW Local 5 is seated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PA). We hold published wage sheets for 24 locals across Pennsylvania — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
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Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 5 pay scale for 2026 is $49.11 per hour for journeymen in Pittsburgh, PA, or about $98,220 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $79.88 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 1/25/26.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 5 agreement make $49.11 an hour in base wages, or $79.88 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 1/25/26. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$49.11 per hour base wage and $79.88 per hour total package for a journeyman in Pittsburgh, PA, effective 1/25/26. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $98,220 before overtime.
A Local 5 apprentice in Pittsburgh, PA starts at roughly $22.10 an hour — about 45% of the $49.11 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $36.83 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 5 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $22.10 an hour, or roughly $44,199 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $49.11 journeyman rate effective 1/25/26. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $31.92 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $36.83 an hour in the fourth period and $49.11 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 5 training center.
Local 5 wages: $49.11 an hour on the journeyman scale, $79.88 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 1/25/26. That is the most recent Pittsburgh, PA sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published IBEW Local 5 journeyman rate is $49.11 an hour ($79.88 total package), effective 1/25/26 — roughly $98,220 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. Confirm the effective agreement with the local.
Yes — a one-page printable IBEW Local 5 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ibew-local-5-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $49.11 hourly scale, the $79.88 total package and the 1/25/26 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current IBEW Local 5 journeyman rate is $49.11/hour, with a total package of $79.88/hour including fringe benefits, effective 1/25/26. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $98,220 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 5 business office before relying on the figure.
The $49.11/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $79.88/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 5 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 $49.11/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $22.10–$24.56/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 5 is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA 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 5 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 5 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 5 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 5 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 1/25/26 schedule; check with the Local 5 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 5 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.
The IBEW Local 5 hall is at 5 Hot Metal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, serving Pittsburgh, PA and the surrounding jurisdiction.
IBEW Local 5 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 5 does not publish a phone number in the directory data we import; check the local's official site for current contact details.
$49.11/hr in base wages for journeyman inside wireman, or $79.88/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective January 25, 2026 per the unionpayscales.com wage sheet.
January 25, 2026. 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 $49.11/hr base is wages only. Employers contribute roughly $30.77/hr more per hour worked to health and welfare, pension, annuity and training funds, which is the difference between the base and the $79.88/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.