Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 81 in Scranton, PA earn $47.97/hr in base wages, or $74.28/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective May 2026.
The Local 81 pay scale for 2026 is $47.97 per hour for journeymen in Scranton, PA, or about $95,940 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $74.28 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 5/26/26.
| Local 81 journeyman hourly wage | $47.97 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $74.28 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $95,940 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45 to 50% of scale) | $21.59 to $23.99 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 5/26/26 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
Apply now | Gulfstream recruits for commercial electrical contractors. These are direct-hire roles, not union dispatch.
A Local 81 apprentice in Scranton, PA starts at roughly $21.59 an hour, about 45% of the $47.97 journeyman scale, and steps up each period, reaching around $35.98 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 81 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $21.59 / hour | $43,173 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $26.38 / hour | $52,767 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $31.18 / hour | $62,361 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $35.98 / hour | $71,955 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $40.77 / hour | $81,549 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $47.97 / hour | $95,940 |
See electrical jobs we're recruiting for near Scranton, or get an alert when this scale changes.
Gulfstream Strategic Placements is an MEP recruiting firm. We recruit for commercial mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors nationwide from our office in Corona, California. We are an independent firm. We don't speak for IBEW Local 81, set its rates or run its referral list.
Gulfstream recruits for commercial electrical contractors. These are direct-hire roles, not union dispatch.
Gulfstream recruits for commercial electrical contractors nationwide. Searches are confidential. You pay only when you hire, and every placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. We place direct hires on your payroll. We don't dispatch crews or replace the hall's referral process.
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IBEW Local 81 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.
IBEW Local 81 pay rates and union rules
Official job-call, referral and apprenticeship pages on the hall's own website. Application windows and requirements are set by the hall; check its page for current dates.
Links checked 2026-10-06 on the hall's site.
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Local 81 wages: $47.97 an hour on the journeyman scale, $74.28 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 5/26/26. That is the most recent Scranton, PA sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
IBEW Local 81 has not published a current wage sheet to the public rate sources we track, so the figure above is the reporting-wide electrician average, not this hall's own scale. 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 Scranton, PA area, and local scale in the Scranton market is normally set by the hall's current collective bargaining agreement, confirm it with the business office before quoting.
Gulfstream recruits electrician talent for commercial mechanical, electrical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around Scranton. We are a private recruiting firm, we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 81 rates. For current Scranton scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
IBEW Local 81 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall, call (570) 344-5711 to confirm dispatch procedure, 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 81 represents skilled inside wiremen and electrical professionals across the Scranton, Pennsylvania metropolitan area and surrounding Northeast PA counties. As a charter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, this local manages the labor supply for critical commercial, industrial, and institutional projects throughout the Lackawanna Valley. The organization ensures that its members are trained to handle complex power distribution, lighting systems, and integrated building controls. By maintaining rigorous standards for craftsmanship and safety, the local serves as the primary labor partner for signatory contractors participating in the region's diverse economic development, ranging from healthcare facilities to large-scale distribution centers.
The electrical market in Northeast Pennsylvania is defined by a mix of legacy industrial infrastructure and modern commercial expansion. Local 81 plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem by providing a steady pipeline of Commonwealth-certified electricians who can meet the technical demands of high-voltage installations and precision systems. For contractors, partnering with this local offers access to a pre-screened workforce, while members benefit from collectively bargained protections and a structured career path. The local's headquarters in Scranton serves as the central hub for dispatch, training through the JATC, and administrative oversight of the prevailing wage and fringe benefit standards that govern the regional electrical trade.
The economic framework for IBEW Local 81 is established through a collective bargaining agreement that sets a Journeyman hourly rate of $47.97. When including the comprehensive fringe benefit package, the total compensation reaches $74.28 per hour, effective as of May 2026. This total package covers critical non-wage costs such as healthcare and retirement security. For those entering the trade through the apprenticeship program, wages are calculated as a progressive percentage of the Journeyman rate. These increments typically start between 40% and 50% for first-year students and increase annually as the apprentice completes classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. This structured climb ensures that pay remains commensurate with the increasing technical skill and responsibility required of a developing wireman.
The signatory landscape for IBEW Local 81 consists of a robust network of electrical firms ranging from small specialty shops to large-scale mechanical-electrical primes. These contractors primarily service the commercial and industrial sectors, taking on significant roles in the construction of educational institutions, regional hospitals, and manufacturing plants. Hiring activity is generally driven by large-scale capital projects and long-term facility maintenance contracts. Signatory partners benefit from the ability to scale their workforce rapidly through the union's referral hall, ensuring they have the manpower to meet project deadlines without the overhead of permanent recruiting for fluctuating workloads. This collaborative environment maintains high productivity levels across the Scranton electrical market.
The hourly wage of $47.97 is the gross amount paid directly to the member on their paycheck. The total package of $74.28 includes an additional $26.31 per hour in employer-paid fringes, such as health insurance and retirement contributions. These benefits are paid on top of the wage and are not deducted from the $47.97 hourly rate.
Yes, through the Scranton JATC, Journeymen have access to advanced certifications and safety training. This includes OSHA 30, EVITP (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program), and specialized training on fire alarm systems or programmable logic controllers. Staying current with these certifications allows members to remain competitive and eligible for specialized project roles.
Electricians from other IBEW locals may seek work in Local 81's jurisdiction by signing 'Book 2' at the Scranton hall. Local members have priority on 'Book 1.' When local manpower is fully utilized, the dispatcher refers travelers to signatory contractors based on their position on the list and the specific requirements of the requesting contractor.
Applicants for the apprenticeship program generally must reside within the geographical jurisdiction of Local 81 for at least one year prior to applying. This ensures that the local is training workers who live and contribute to the Northeastern Pennsylvania economy. Specific documentation like a driver's license or utility bills may be required for verification.
IBEW Local 81 is seated in Scranton, Pennsylvania (PA). We hold published wage sheets for 26 locals across Pennsylvania, compare nearby scales before you take a call.
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We are a commercial MEP recruiting firm serving Scranton and the rest of Pennsylvania, including contractors signatory to IBEW Local 81. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place 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.
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The Local 81 pay scale for 2026 is $47.97 per hour for journeymen in Scranton, PA, or about $95,940 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $74.28 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 5/26/26.
IBEW Local 81 wages for 2026: journeyman Electricians rate of $47.97 per hour in Scranton, PA, with a total package of $74.28 per hour including fringe benefits, effective 5/26/26. Apprentices are paid a graduated percentage of that rate. Confirm any increase since 5/26/26 with the IBEW Local 81 business office.
The IBEW Local 81 wage sheet on this page lists the journeyman scale of $47.97 per hour ($74.28 per hour total package), effective 5/26/26, plus the apprentice percentage steps. The official sheet is published by the IBEW Local 81 business office; figures here come from that published schedule, so confirm any increase dated after 5/26/26 with the hall.
Local 81 apprentices earn a graduated percentage of the $47.97 per hour journeyman rate, typically starting near 40 to 50% ($21.59 to $23.99 per hour) in the first period and stepping up each period to 100% at turnout. The exact percentage schedule is set by the IBEW Local 81 JATC, so confirm the current apprentice sheet with the training center.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 81 agreement make $47.97 an hour in base wages, or $74.28 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 5/26/26. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$47.97 per hour base wage and $74.28 per hour total package for a journeyman in Scranton, PA, effective 5/26/26. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $95,940 before overtime.
A Local 81 apprentice in Scranton, PA starts at roughly $21.59 an hour, about 45% of the $47.97 journeyman scale, and steps up each period, reaching around $35.98 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 81 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $21.59 an hour, or roughly $43,173 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $47.97 journeyman rate effective 5/26/26. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $31.18 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $35.98 an hour in the fourth period and $47.97 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 81 training center.
Local 81 wages: $47.97 an hour on the journeyman scale, $74.28 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 5/26/26. That is the most recent Scranton, PA sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published IBEW Local 81 journeyman rate is $47.97 an hour ($74.28 total package), effective 5/26/26, roughly $95,940 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. Confirm the effective agreement with the local.
Yes, a one-page printable IBEW Local 81 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ibew-local-81-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $47.97 hourly scale, the $74.28 total package and the 5/26/26 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download, no sign-up needed.
The current IBEW Local 81 journeyman rate is $47.97/hour, with a total package of $74.28/hour including fringe benefits, effective 5/26/26. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $95,940 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle, confirm with the Local 81 business office before relying on the figure.
The $47.97/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $74.28/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 81 agreement are paid a graduated percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting near 40 to 50% in the first period and stepping up each six-month or annual period until reaching 100% at turnout. Against the current $47.97/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $21.59 to $23.99/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 81 is headquartered in Scranton, 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 81 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 81 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 81 training center directly.
Electricians apprenticeships generally run four to five years, roughly 8,000 to 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 81 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 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 5/26/26 schedule; check with the Local 81 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 81 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.
Yes, the openings section on this page lists current electricians roles near Scranton, PA, and you can apply directly through the apply form on this page. These are direct-hire positions with electrical contractors that Gulfstream recruits for, not union dispatch or hall referrals. For the hall's out-of-work list, contact the Local 81 business office.
The IBEW Local 81 hall is at 431 Wyoming Ave, Scranton, PA 18503, serving Scranton, PA and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: (570) 344-5711.
IBEW Local 81 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at (570) 344-5711 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 81 can be reached at (570) 344-5711. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing, confirm hours with the hall.
Apply through the local's joint apprenticeship training committee (JATC). Most programs open applications on a set schedule and require an aptitude test and interview. For IBEW Local 81's current application window and requirements, contact the hall at (570) 344-5711.
Each Electricians local sets its own intake process, and it varies. The common paths: apprenticeship through the JATC; organizing in as an experienced worker, since journeymen and technicians already working in the trade can usually apply directly to the hall for membership; or transferring from another local of the same international with a transfer card from your current hall. For fees and requirements, contact the hall at (570) 344-5711.
We haven't found an official source for IBEW Local 81's dues or membership rules. To confirm, contact the hall at (570) 344-5711.
We haven't found an official source for IBEW Local 81's member benefits. To confirm, contact the hall at (570) 344-5711.
Coverage unverified, contact the hall. No reviewed published boundary is held for this local; office location does not establish jurisdiction.
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No comparable official rate held. No trade average or another hall’s rate is substituted.
Confirm the current agreement, classification, zone and effective schedule with the hall; a package is not take-home pay.
Membership fees, dues and admission rules are not verified in our held official records. Confirm directly with the hall.
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Recruiting inquiries go to Gulfstream, not IBEW Local 81. Membership, dispatch and apprenticeship applications must go directly to the hall. Gulfstream is union-independent and recruits for commercial mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors.
Gulfstream recruits for commercial electrical contractors. These are direct-hire roles, not union dispatch.