Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 684 in Modesto, CA earn $51/hr in base wages, or $84.16/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Jan 2026.
IBEW Local 684 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 684 pay scale for 2026 is $51.00 per hour for journeymen in Modesto, CA, or about $102,000 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $84.16 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 1/20/26.
| Local 684 journeyman hourly wage | $51.00 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $84.16 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $102,000 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $22.95–$25.50 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 1/20/26 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
A Local 684 apprentice in Modesto, CA starts at roughly $22.95 an hour — about 45% of the $51.00 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $38.25 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 684 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $22.95 / hour | $45,900 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $28.05 / hour | $56,100 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $33.15 / hour | $66,300 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $38.25 / hour | $76,500 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $43.35 / hour | $86,700 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $51.00 / hour | $102,000 |
IBEW Local 684 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call (209) 524-5171 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.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 684 serves as the primary labor organization for electrical professionals throughout the Central Valley, specifically centered in Modesto. Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has monitored this region due to its strategic importance in connecting Northern California's heavy industrial base with the growing commercial needs of the Modesto and Stockton corridors. The local represents inside wiremen who handle the installation and maintenance of electrical systems in diverse settings, ranging from agricultural processing plants to modernized healthcare facilities. The technical demands in this territory require a highly skilled workforce capable of executing complex electrical infrastructure while adhering to strict safety standards and the National Electrical Code.
The Modesto market is characterized by a mix of traditional industrial operations and emerging logistics centers, making Local 684 a critical partner for signatory contractors. As infrastructure projects expand across Stanislaus and Merced counties, the demand for qualified electricians remains steady. The union provides a centralized dispatch system and standardized training, ensuring that projects are staffed with competent labor that meets the rigorous requirements of the Inside Wireman agreement. For electricians, the local offers a pathway to middle-class earnings and comprehensive benefits, while contractors gain access to a scalable, pre-screened talent pool that reduces the overhead associated with individual recruitment and technical training in a competitive labor environment.
Under the current agreement effective January 2026, the Journeyman Inside Wireman hourly rate is set at $51.00, contributing to a total compensation package of $84.16 when fringe benefits are included. This package represents the full cost of labor for signatory contractors and the total value provided to the member. Apprentices enter the program at a percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting around 40% and advancing through ten periods of six months each. These advancements are contingent upon completing 800 hours of on-the-job training and successfully passing related classroom instruction at the JATC. As apprentices progress toward their fifth year, their wage steps increase to approximately 80-85% of the full scale. All rates are subject to specific deductions for union dues and working assessments as determined by the membership.
The territorial jurisdiction of IBEW Local 684 covers the entirety of Stanislaus and Merced counties, including the major municipalities of Modesto, Turlock, and Merced. The jurisdiction is defined by the IBEW international charter, ensuring that all electrical work performed by signatory contractors within these boundaries falls under the Local 684 Inside Wireman Agreement. This includes commercial construction, industrial maintenance, and renewable energy projects such as solar installations. Members are dispatched from the Modesto hiring hall, and the agreement covers the transportation, tooling, and safety requirements specific to this Central Valley geography. Travel within the jurisdiction is standard, though specific provisions in the CBA may apply for projects located at extreme distances from the dispatch point.
The signatory landscape for Local 684 is composed of a diverse array of electrical contractors ranging from local family-owned shops to large-scale regional primes. These entities specialize in various sectors, including large-scale commercial developments, public works infrastructure, and the region's robust industrial food processing sector. Signatory mechanical primes often sub-contract specialized electrical work to these firms to ensure compliance with project labor agreements. Hiring typically fluctuates based on major project cycles in the Central Valley, with consistent demand for service and maintenance technicians. The relationship between the union and the a mechanical contractor Association (NECA) ensures a standardized approach to labor relations and project execution across the entire two-county footprint.
The hourly wage of $51.00 is the gross amount paid directly to the electrician on their paycheck before taxes. The total package of $84.16 includes an additional $33.16 per hour in employer-paid benefits, such as health insurance and pension contributions. These fringes are paid by the contractor on top of the wage, rather than being deducted from the $51.00 base rate.
Yes, to work as a Journeyman Inside Wireman in California, you must hold a valid Social Security number and pass the California General Electrician Certification exam. Local 684 requires all journeymen dispatched for inside work to maintain this state certification in addition to their union membership to ensure legal compliance on all public and private jobsites.
Apprentice wage increases typically occur every 800 hours of work, provided the apprentice is also meeting their classroom requirements. These step increases are usually scheduled twice per year if the apprentice is working full-time. Each step represents a higher percentage of the journeyman rate, ensuring that pay grows alongside the individual's technical proficiency and value to the contractor.
Transferring into Local 684, often referred to as 'jamming your book,' is governed by the IBEW International Constitution. Generally, a member must work in the jurisdiction on a Travel Letter for a specific period, often one year, before they can request to transfer their membership. Acceptance of transfers is subject to the discretion of the Local 684 executive board and the current employment climate.
IBEW Local 684 is seated in Modesto, California (CA). We hold published wage sheets for 46 locals across California — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Modesto and the rest of California, including contractors signatory to IBEW Local 684. 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 684 pay scale for 2026 is $51.00 per hour for journeymen in Modesto, CA, or about $102,000 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $84.16 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 1/20/26.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 684 agreement make $51.00 an hour in base wages, or $84.16 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 1/20/26. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$51.00 per hour base wage and $84.16 per hour total package for a journeyman in Modesto, CA, effective 1/20/26. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $102,000 before overtime.
A Local 684 apprentice in Modesto, CA starts at roughly $22.95 an hour — about 45% of the $51.00 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $38.25 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 684 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $22.95 an hour, or roughly $45,900 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $51.00 journeyman rate effective 1/20/26. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $33.15 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $38.25 an hour in the fourth period and $51.00 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 684 training center.
The current IBEW Local 684 journeyman rate is $51.00/hour, with a total package of $84.16/hour including fringe benefits, effective 1/20/26. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $102,000 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 684 business office before relying on the figure.
The $51.00/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $84.16/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 684 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 $51.00/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $22.95–$25.50/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 684 is headquartered in Modesto, CA 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 684 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 684 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 684 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 684 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 1/20/26 schedule; check with the Local 684 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 684 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.
The IBEW Local 684 hall is at 519 12th St, Modesto, CA 95354, serving Modesto, CA and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: (209) 524-5171.
IBEW Local 684 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at (209) 524-5171 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 684 can be reached at (209) 524-5171. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.