Journeyman pipefitters under UA Local 268 in St Louis, MO earn $51.73/hr in base wages, or $71.08/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Apr 2025.
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UA Local 268 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 268 pay scale for 2026 is $51.73 per hour for journeymen in St Louis, MO, or about $103,460 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $71.08 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 4/19/25.
| Local 268 journeyman hourly wage | $51.73 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $71.08 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $103,460 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $23.28–$25.87 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 4/19/25 |
A Local 268 apprentice in St Louis, MO starts at roughly $23.28 an hour — about 45% of the $51.73 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $38.80 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 268 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $23.28 / hour | $46,557 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $28.45 / hour | $56,903 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $33.62 / hour | $67,249 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $38.80 / hour | $77,595 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $43.97 / hour | $87,941 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $51.73 / hour | $103,460 |
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Local 268 wages: $51.73 an hour on the journeyman scale, $71.08 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 4/19/25. That is the most recent St Louis, MO sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Roughly 27% of the UA Local 268 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 UA Local 268 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective April 19, 2025.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | $19.35/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 UA Local 268 scale used across the St Louis, MO area. Members dispatched out of this hall work commercial mechanical and process piping, chiller and boiler work, HVAC piping and hydronics and service, retrofit and shutdown work for signatory contractors throughout the St Louis metro, so a pipefitters wage quoted locally is normally this scale plus the fringe package shown in the table.
Gulfstream recruits pipefitters talent for commercial mechanical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around St Louis. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 268 rates. For current St Louis scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
UA Local 268 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call 314-241-8023 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.
UA Local 268 represents skilled Sprinkler Fitters across the St. Louis metropolitan area and surrounding regions. As a specialized branch of the United Association, this local focuses on the installation, maintenance, and repair of fire suppression systems in commercial, industrial, and residential settings. The St. Louis market remains a critical hub for fire protection due to the density of healthcare facilities, data centers, and industrial manufacturing plants that require high-specification suppression systems. Members are trained to handle complex piping configurations, including wet, dry, pre-action, and deluge systems, ensuring compliance with rigorous life safety codes and municipal fire regulations.
Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has monitored the labor trends within the Missouri piping trades, noting that Local 268 remains a central pillar for fire protection safety in the Gateway City. The local operates a comprehensive Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) program to ensure a steady pipeline of journey-level talent capable of meeting NFPA standards. This jurisdiction is highly regulated, requiring coordination between signatory contractors and local fire marshals. For the tradesperson, this means consistent work opportunities driven by both new construction and the mandatory inspection and testing cycles required for existing building stock throughout the St. Louis corridor.
The Journeyman hourly rate for UA Local 268 is established at $51.73, effective April 19, 2025. When accounting for the full fringe benefit contribution, the total taxable package reaches $71.08 per hour. Apprentices enter the program at a percentage of the Journeyman rate, typically starting around 45% to 50% and receiving incremental raises every six to twelve months as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. By the fifth year of the program, apprentices often earn 85% to 90% of the scale. This structured progression ensures that labor costs remain predictable for signatory mechanical primes while providing a clear career path for those entering the fire protection trade in Missouri.
UA Local 268 maintains a wide geographical footprint centered in St. Louis, Missouri, extending into the surrounding counties of the eastern Missouri region. The jurisdiction covers all aspects of fire suppression piping, including underground supply lines, overhead distribution, and specialized pump room installations. Members dispatched through the local work under a collective bargaining agreement that governs travel pay, zone differentials, and shift premiums for work performed outside the immediate metro core. The territorial reach ensures that large-scale industrial projects in outlying areas and commercial developments in the urban center are staffed by qualified sprinkler fitters under a unified set of labor standards.
The contractor landscape for UA Local 268 consists of a diverse mix of signatory employers ranging from large multi-state fire protection corporations to specialized local mechanical primes. These firms handle everything from high-rise residential retrofits to massive industrial warehouse suppression systems. Hiring typically fluctuates based on major capital projects in the healthcare and biotech sectors, which are prominent in St. Louis. Signatory contractors rely on the local's hall for manpower during peak construction phases, ensuring that labor costs are benchmarked against the $71.08 total package. This stability allows contractors to bid competitively on public and private works while maintaining high safety standards.
While both trades work with piping, Sprinkler Fitters in Local 268 specialize exclusively in fire suppression systems. This requires specific knowledge of NFPA codes, fire pumps, and specialized valves that are not typically part of standard HVAC or plumbing systems. Their training focuses on the life safety aspect of pressurized water and chemical suppression.
Yes, Local 268 often has a process for experienced fire protection professionals to join as organized journeymen. This typically requires a verification of hours worked in the trade and a skills assessment. Interested tradespeople should contact the business agent to discuss a craft evaluation and potential placement within the signatory contractor network.
The St. Louis market provides a stable environment due to the high volume of institutional work, such as hospitals and universities, which require ongoing inspections and system upgrades. Unlike pure new-construction markets, the fire protection trade benefits from mandatory safety code enforcement, which creates a consistent demand for service and maintenance work throughout the year.
Members are expected to maintain OSHA 10 or 30 safety certifications. Additionally, depending on the project, fitters may need specific certifications for backflow prevention, aerial lift operation, or specialized welding. The Local 268 JATC provides the necessary training for members to keep these certifications current as part of their fringe benefit package.
UA Local 268 is seated in St Louis, Missouri (MO). We hold published wage sheets for 14 locals across Missouri — 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 268 pay scale for 2026 is $51.73 per hour for journeymen in St Louis, MO, or about $103,460 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $71.08 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 4/19/25.
Journeyman pipefitters under the UA Local 268 agreement make $51.73 an hour in base wages, or $71.08 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 4/19/25. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$51.73 per hour base wage and $71.08 per hour total package for a journeyman in St Louis, MO, effective 4/19/25. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $103,460 before overtime.
A Local 268 apprentice in St Louis, MO starts at roughly $23.28 an hour — about 45% of the $51.73 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $38.80 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 268 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $23.28 an hour, or roughly $46,557 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $51.73 journeyman rate effective 4/19/25. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $33.62 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $38.80 an hour in the fourth period and $51.73 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 268 training center.
Local 268 wages: $51.73 an hour on the journeyman scale, $71.08 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 4/19/25. That is the most recent St Louis, MO sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published UA Local 268 journeyman rate is $51.73 an hour ($71.08 total package), effective 4/19/25 — roughly $103,460 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. Confirm the effective agreement with the local.
Yes — a one-page printable UA Local 268 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ua-local-268-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $51.73 hourly scale, the $71.08 total package and the 4/19/25 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current UA Local 268 journeyman rate is $51.73/hour, with a total package of $71.08/hour including fringe benefits, effective 4/19/25. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $103,460 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 268 business office before relying on the figure.
The $51.73/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $71.08/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 plumbers & pipefitters labor costs across locals.
Apprentices under the UA Local 268 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 $51.73/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $23.28–$25.87/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
UA Local 268 is headquartered in St Louis, MO and dispatches plumbers & pipefitters 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 plumbers & pipefitters work. Some Local 268 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 UA Local 268 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 268 training center directly.
Plumbers & Pipefitters 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 UA Local 268 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 plumbers & pipefitters 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 4/19/25 schedule; check with the Local 268 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 268 against neighboring jurisdictions and other plumbers & pipefitters markets.
The UA Local 268 hall is at 1544 S 3rd St St. Louis, MO 63104, serving St Louis, MO and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: 314-241-8023.
UA Local 268 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at 314-241-8023 to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in — Gulfstream does not control hall dispatch.
UA Local 268 can be reached at 314-241-8023. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.
$51.73/hr in base wages for journeyman, or $71.08/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective April 19, 2025 per the unionpayscales.com wage sheet.
April 19, 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 $51.73/hr base is wages only. Employers contribute roughly $19.35/hr more per hour worked to health and welfare, pension, annuity and training funds, which is the difference between the base and the $71.08/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.