Journeyman pipefitters under UA Local 524 in Scranton, PA earn $49.39/hr in base wages, or $74.26/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Mar 2024.
UA Local 524 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 524 pay scale is $49.39 per hour for journeymen in Scranton, PA, or about $98,780 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $74.26 per hour. That is the rate in force, effective 3/29/24.
| Local 524 journeyman hourly wage | $49.39 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $74.26 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $98,780 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $22.23–$24.70 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 3/29/24 |
| Classification | Combo |
A Local 524 apprentice in Scranton, PA starts at roughly $22.23 an hour — about 45% of the $49.39 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $37.04 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 524 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $22.23 / hour | $44,451 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $27.16 / hour | $54,329 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $32.10 / hour | $64,207 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $37.04 / hour | $74,085 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $41.98 / hour | $83,963 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $49.39 / hour | $98,780 |
UA Local 524 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call 570-347-9214 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.
United Association Local 524 represents skilled plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC technicians across the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre corridor of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Established as a vital hub for industrial and commercial labor, this local provides the specialized workforce necessary for complex piping systems in regional healthcare facilities, higher education institutions, and industrial manufacturing plants. The organization emphasizes rigorous training standards to ensure that signatory contractors have access to a labor pool capable of maintaining high-pressure steam systems, medical gas lines, and sophisticated process piping. Since 2014, our firm has observed that Local 524 remains a central pillar for the region's mechanical infrastructure, ensuring code compliance and safety through a highly regulated apprenticeship and journeyman continuing education framework.
The market landscape in Northeastern Pennsylvania is defined by a mix of legacy industrial revitalization and modern logistics development. Local 524 members are integral to these projects, providing the technical expertise required for large-scale boiler installations, central utility plants, and commercial plumbing systems. Because the Scranton market sits at a strategic crossroads for the Poconos and the Wyoming Valley, the local maintains a versatile membership that can pivot between heavy industrial maintenance and fast-paced commercial new construction. This adaptability is supported by the Local 524 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, which produces craftsmen who are proficient in both manual welding techniques and modern building automation systems, securing the local's position as the primary labor provider for the area's most demanding mechanical builds.
As of March 29, 2024, the journeyman hourly rate for UA Local 524 is set at $49.39, with a total package reaching $74.26 when including all fringe benefits. This $24.87 difference covers critical benefits including health insurance, pension contributions, and advanced training funds. For those entering the trade through the apprenticeship program, wages are calculated as a progressive percentage of the journeyman rate. Typically, a first-year apprentice starts at approximately 40% to 50% of the base scale, with annual or bi-annual increases as they complete specific classroom modules and reach on-the-job hour milestones. By the fifth and final year, an apprentice often earns 80% to 90% of the journeyman rate. These structured steps provide a clear path toward the full $49.39 hourly rate while ensuring the worker is compensated fairly for their growing proficiency in the piping trades.
The chartered jurisdiction of UA Local 524 covers several counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania, centered around the Lackawanna County and Scranton metropolitan area. This territory extends to include the surrounding Wyoming Valley and portions of the Poconos, ensuring that all commercial and a mechanical contractor work within these boundaries falls under the Local 524 collective bargaining agreement. Members are dispatched to various jobsites ranging from downtown urban renovations to sprawling industrial parks. The local maintains strict oversight of work quality and safety standards within this region. Contractors operating in these counties must adhere to the travel and subsistence rules outlined in the CBA when moving labor across the district, ensuring that the local workforce remains the first choice for regional mechanical projects.
The contractor landscape for UA Local 524 consists of a diverse group of signatory mechanical primes and specialized service firms. These organizations range from large-scale mechanical contractors capable of handling multi-million dollar hospital expansions to smaller, specialized plumbing shops focused on commercial service and tenant fit-outs. Hiring typically fluctuates based on major regional project starts, such as infrastructure upgrades at local universities or new industrial facilities in the regional business parks. Signatory contractors benefit from a predictable cost structure provided by the $74.26 total package, allowing for accurate bidding on public and private works. The relationship between the local and its signatory partners is governed by a long-standing agreement that prioritizes labor harmony and high-quality craftsmanship throughout the Scranton market.
Members can obtain various industry-recognized certifications including UA Weld Certifications (ASME/AWS), Medical Gas Installer, Backflow Prevention, and OSHA 30. These credentials are vital for working on specialized projects in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors common in the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre region, ensuring members remain competitive and highly skilled for any signatory contractor's needs.
While the $49.39 hourly wage is the take-home pay, the $74.26 total package includes an additional $24.87 in fringes. This means the employer covers 100% of your health insurance premiums and retirement contributions. In a non-union setting, these costs would typically be deducted from your net pay, making the union package significantly more valuable than the base rate suggests.
Yes, as a member of the United Association, you hold a 'travel card.' If work is slow in the Scranton area, you can seek dispatch to other UA locals across the country that have a high demand for labor. Conversely, during large local projects, Local 524 may bring in 'travelers' from other locals to meet the manpower needs of signatory contractors.
Plumbers generally focus on potable water systems, drainage, and fixtures in commercial and residential settings. Pipefitters typically work on high-pressure industrial systems, including steam, chemicals, and fuel lines. While the training is distinct, Local 524 is a 'combination' local, meaning members often gain exposure to both disciplines, providing greater flexibility in the job market depending on project requirements.
UA Local 524 is seated in Scranton, Pennsylvania (PA). We hold published wage sheets for 23 locals across Pennsylvania — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Scranton and the rest of Pennsylvania, including contractors signatory to UA Local 524. 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 524 pay scale is $49.39 per hour for journeymen in Scranton, PA, or about $98,780 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $74.26 per hour. That is the rate in force, effective 3/29/24.
Journeyman pipefitters under the UA Local 524 agreement make $49.39 an hour in base wages, or $74.26 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 3/29/24. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$49.39 per hour base wage and $74.26 per hour total package for a journeyman in Scranton, PA, effective 3/29/24. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $98,780 before overtime.
A Local 524 apprentice in Scranton, PA starts at roughly $22.23 an hour — about 45% of the $49.39 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $37.04 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 524 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $22.23 an hour, or roughly $44,451 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $49.39 journeyman rate effective 3/29/24. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $32.10 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $37.04 an hour in the fourth period and $49.39 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 524 training center.
The current UA Local 524 journeyman rate is $49.39/hour, with a total package of $74.26/hour including fringe benefits, effective 3/29/24. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $98,780 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 524 business office before relying on the figure.
The $49.39/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $74.26/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 524 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 $49.39/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $22.23–$24.70/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
UA Local 524 is headquartered in Scranton, PA 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 524 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 524 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 524 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 524 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 3/29/24 schedule; check with the Local 524 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 524 against neighboring jurisdictions and other plumbers & pipefitters markets.
The UA Local 524 hall is at 711 Corey St Scranton, PA 18505, serving Scranton, PA and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: 570-347-9214.
UA Local 524 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at 570-347-9214 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 524 can be reached at 570-347-9214. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.