Journeyman electrician under IBEW Local 96 in Worcester, MA earn $48.16/hr in base wages, or $88.61/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective May 2026.
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IBEW Local 96 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 96 pay scale for 2026 is $48.16 per hour for journeymen in Worcester, MA, or about $96,320 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $88.61 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 5/31/26.
| Local 96 journeyman hourly wage | $48.16 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $88.61 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $96,320 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $21.67–$24.08 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 5/31/26 |
| Classification | Journeyman Inside Wireman |
A Local 96 apprentice in Worcester, MA starts at roughly $21.67 an hour — about 45% of the $48.16 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $36.12 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 96 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $21.67 / hour | $43,344 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $26.49 / hour | $52,976 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $31.30 / hour | $62,608 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $36.12 / hour | $72,240 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $40.94 / hour | $81,872 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $48.16 / hour | $96,320 |
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Local 96 wages: $48.16 an hour on the journeyman scale, $88.61 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 5/31/26. That is the most recent Worcester, MA sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Roughly 46% of the IBEW Local 96 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 96 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective May 31, 2026.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | $40.45/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 96 scale used across the Worcester, MA 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 Worcester 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 Worcester. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 96 rates. For current Worcester scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
IBEW Local 96 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 96 represents the electrical workers of Central Massachusetts, centering its operations and training out of the Worcester market. Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has monitored this region as a critical hub for both institutional and commercial development. The local maintains jurisdiction over all electrical construction, including inside wiring, telecommunications, and industrial systems. As the primary labor source for Worcester and the surrounding municipalities, Local 96 provides signatory contractors with a highly skilled workforce that has completed rigorous classroom and field training through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee.
The Central Massachusetts market is defined by a mix of historic urban redevelopment, expanding healthcare facilities, and academic infrastructure. Local 96 electricians are instrumental in the modernization of Worcester’s downtown corridor and the maintenance of the region's manufacturing base. For tradespeople, this local offers a competitive alternative to the Boston labor market, providing high-tier wages and comprehensive benefits without the same commuting volatility. For signatory mechanical and electrical primes, the union provides a scalable labor pool capable of executing complex multi-million dollar projects under strict National Electrical Code and local safety standards.
The wage structure for IBEW Local 96 is scheduled to reach a journeyman hourly rate of $48.16 by May 31, 2026. When accounting for the full fringe benefit contribution, the total taxable and non-taxable package reaches $88.61 per hour. Apprentices move through a five-year progression, typically starting at approximately 40% of the journeyman rate. As they complete mandatory classroom hours and achieve specific on-the-job training milestones, their percentage of the journeyman scale increases annually. This tiered system ensures that labor costs remain predictable for contractors while providing a clear path to middle-class earnings for workers. Members should verify the specific deduction breakdown, such as working dues or vacation funds, directly with the Local 96 hall to ensure payroll accuracy.
The territorial jurisdiction of IBEW Local 96 covers the heart of the Commonwealth, centered primarily in Worcester County. The local’s charter includes the City of Worcester and extends to dozens of surrounding towns, ensuring that union electricians handle everything from municipal utility work to private commercial build-outs within this footprint. Traveling members must check in with the dispatcher regarding the referral system and specific zone pay if applicable. The jurisdiction encompasses a variety of work environments, ranging from dense urban high-rises to sprawling industrial parks along the I-495 and I-190 corridors, requiring a workforce adaptable to both commercial and heavy industrial settings.
The signatory landscape for IBEW Local 96 is composed of diverse firms ranging from local family-owned shops to large regional electrical primes. These contractors frequently partner with mechanical firms on integrated HVAC and controls projects, providing the high-voltage and low-voltage wiring necessary for modern building automation. Hiring activity in this market is often driven by the expansion of the biotech sector and the continuous upgrades required by Worcester's numerous higher education institutions. Signatory contractors benefit from a centralized referral system that allows them to scale their workforce rapidly in response to large-scale project awards without the overhead of traditional recruiting.
The specific ratio is defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement to ensure proper supervision and safety. Generally, this involves a set number of journeymen required for every apprentice on-site. This protects the learning environment and ensures that the work meets the high standards of the IBEW and NECA partnership.
Yes, through the JATC, members have access to continuing education including OSHA safety certifications, EVITP electric vehicle infrastructure training, and fire alarm licensing prep. This ensures that Worcester-area contractors have access to technicians who are proficient in the latest technologies and code requirements.
While both locals offer high standards of living, Local 96 focuses on the Central Massachusetts geographic footprint. The wage rates and total packages are calibrated to the Worcester regional economy, which can offer different cost-of-living advantages for members and competitive bidding opportunities for contractors operating outside the immediate Boston metro area.
License reciprocity is governed by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians. Once a valid Massachusetts license is obtained, a member of another IBEW local may seek to transfer or work as a traveler by following the procedures outlined in the IBEW Constitution and the local's referral rules.
IBEW Local 96 is seated in Worcester, Massachusetts (MA). We hold published wage sheets for 10 locals across Massachusetts — 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 96 pay scale for 2026 is $48.16 per hour for journeymen in Worcester, MA, or about $96,320 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $88.61 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 5/31/26.
Journeyman electrician under the IBEW Local 96 agreement make $48.16 an hour in base wages, or $88.61 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 5/31/26. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$48.16 per hour base wage and $88.61 per hour total package for a journeyman in Worcester, MA, effective 5/31/26. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $96,320 before overtime.
A Local 96 apprentice in Worcester, MA starts at roughly $21.67 an hour — about 45% of the $48.16 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $36.12 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 96 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $21.67 an hour, or roughly $43,344 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $48.16 journeyman rate effective 5/31/26. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $31.30 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $36.12 an hour in the fourth period and $48.16 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 96 training center.
Local 96 wages: $48.16 an hour on the journeyman scale, $88.61 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 5/31/26. That is the most recent Worcester, MA sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published IBEW Local 96 journeyman rate is $48.16 an hour ($88.61 total package), effective 5/31/26 — roughly $96,320 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. Confirm the effective agreement with the local.
Yes — a one-page printable IBEW Local 96 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ibew-local-96-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $48.16 hourly scale, the $88.61 total package and the 5/31/26 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current IBEW Local 96 journeyman rate is $48.16/hour, with a total package of $88.61/hour including fringe benefits, effective 5/31/26. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $96,320 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 96 business office before relying on the figure.
The $48.16/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $88.61/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 96 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 $48.16/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $21.67–$24.08/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
IBEW Local 96 is headquartered in Worcester, MA 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 96 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 96 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 96 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 96 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 5/31/26 schedule; check with the Local 96 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 96 against neighboring jurisdictions and other electricians markets.
The IBEW Local 96 hall is at 242 Mill St, Worcester, MA 01602, serving Worcester, MA and the surrounding jurisdiction.
IBEW Local 96 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 96 does not publish a phone number in the directory data we import; check the local's official site for current contact details.
$48.16/hr in base wages for journeyman inside wireman, or $88.61/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective May 31, 2026 per the unionpayscales.com wage sheet.
May 31, 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 $48.16/hr base is wages only. Employers contribute roughly $40.45/hr more per hour worked to health and welfare, pension, annuity and training funds, which is the difference between the base and the $88.61/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.