Journeyman sprinkler fitters under UA Local 696 in Newark, NJ earn $67.97/hr in base wages, or $107.32/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Jan 2025.
The Local 696 pay scale for 2026 is $67.97 per hour for journeymen in Newark, NJ, or about $135,940 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $107.32 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 2025-01-01.
| Local 696 journeyman hourly wage | $67.97 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $107.32 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $135,940 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $30.59–$33.99 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 2025-01-01 |
| Classification | Sprinkler Fitter (Fire Sprinklers) |
Apply now — Gulfstream places fire sprinkler fitters candidates with mechanical contractors. These are direct-hire contractor roles, not union dispatch.
A Local 696 apprentice in Newark, NJ starts at roughly $30.59 an hour — about 45% of the $67.97 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $50.98 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 696 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $30.59 / hour | $61,173 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $37.38 / hour | $74,767 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $44.18 / hour | $88,361 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $50.98 / hour | $101,955 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $57.77 / hour | $115,549 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $67.97 / hour | $135,940 |
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UA Local 696 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.
UA Local 696 does not post an online application we could verify; contact the hall by phone for dispatch or apprenticeship. To be considered for direct-hire roles with mechanical, electrical and sheet metal contractors in this area, apply to Gulfstream. This is not an application to the union.
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Local 696 wages for 2025: $67.97 an hour on the journeyman scale, $107.32 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 2025-01-01. That is the most recent Newark, NJ sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Roughly 37% of the UA Local 696 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.
Verified from official source: U.S. DOL Davis-Bacon Wage Determination NJ20260031
Download the UA Local 696 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective January 1, 2025.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | $39.35/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 696 scale used across the Newark, NJ area. Members dispatched out of this hall work fire sprinkler installation, fire protection service and retrofit and inspection work for signatory contractors throughout the Newark metro, so a sprinkler fitters wage quoted locally is normally this scale plus the fringe package shown in the table.
Gulfstream recruits sprinkler fitters talent for commercial mechanical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around Newark. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 696 rates. For current Newark scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
UA Local 696 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call 973-379-7446 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 696 represents specialized plumbers and pipefitters serving the Newark, New Jersey metropolitan region. As a key affiliate of the United Association, this local is responsible for maintaining the high standards of the piping industry across industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. The Newark market remains one of the most densely populated and infrastructure-heavy regions in the Northeast, requiring a workforce capable of handling complex mechanical systems, high-pressure steam, and essential domestic water services. Local 696 members provide the technical expertise necessary to support the city's critical infrastructure, including its transportation hubs, medical facilities, and high-rise developments.
The Newark piping market is characterized by a significant volume of both new construction and institutional modernization. Because of the region's historical industrial base, there is a constant demand for skilled tradespeople who can navigate legacy systems while installing modern, high-efficiency mechanical technology. Signatory contractors rely on Local 696 to provide a steady pipeline of journey-level talent that has undergone rigorous five-year training programs. For the tradesperson, this jurisdiction offers some of the highest labor rates in the country, reflecting the high cost of living and the intense technical requirements of the New Jersey construction landscape since 2014.
The current journeyman hourly rate for UA Local 696 is $72.82, effective July 3, 2026. When accounting for the full fringe benefit contribution, the total taxable package reaches $94.37 per hour. Apprentices entering the program start at a percentage of the journeyman rate, typically beginning around 40% to 45% and receiving incremental raises every year or every 1,000 hours of successful work and classroom completion. By the fifth year, a senior apprentice will often earn 80% or more of the scale. This progression ensures that as the worker's value to the signatory mechanical prime increases, their compensation reflects their growing mastery of plumbing and pipefitting systems. All members should verify the specific breakdown of taxable versus non-taxable funds with the Newark business office.
The chartered jurisdiction for UA Local 696 is centered in Newark and extends through critical portions of Northern New Jersey. This territory covers a mix of high-density urban environments and industrial corridors where pipefitters manage everything from process piping to complex HVAC hydronic systems. Work performed under this agreement includes the installation, maintenance, and repair of all piping systems in commercial buildings, industrial plants, and public works projects. Members are dispatched to various job sites throughout Essex County and surrounding areas, requiring reliable transportation and the ability to work in diverse settings ranging from new high-rise shells to active pharmaceutical production facilities.
The contractor landscape for Local 696 is comprised of a robust mix of large-scale mechanical primes and specialized service contractors. These firms handle massive vertical construction projects in downtown Newark as well as long-term maintenance contracts for state and local government agencies. There is also a strong presence of mechanical contractors focused on the healthcare sector, where high-stakes medical gas and specialized plumbing are required. Because of the local's high standards, these signatory employers are able to bid on the region's most complex work, knowing they have access to a pool of pipefitters who are certified in the latest welding, brazing, and CAD/BIM technologies.
Yes, Local 696 pipefitters are highly trained in boiler service union work, including the installation and maintenance of high-pressure steam systems and hydronic boilers. This work is common in Newark's older industrial buildings and modern institutional facilities. Members possess the certifications required to work on burners, controls, and associated pressure vessel piping under the master labor agreement.
The total package for a journeyman is $94.37 per hour. This includes the base hourly wage of $72.82 plus all fringe benefits such as pension, health insurance, and training funds. This package ensures that members have long-term financial security and comprehensive healthcare in addition to their weekly take-home pay, reflecting the premium value of union labor in New Jersey.
While the apprenticeship provides a foundational education, members often pursue specialized certifications in welding (UA-certifications), medical gas, backflow prevention, and OSHA safety standards. These certifications make members more employable for signatory contractors who handle niche projects like pharmaceutical labs, hospitals, and heavy industrial plants within the Newark jurisdiction.
Wage increases are determined by the negotiated collective bargaining agreement between the local and their signatory contractor partners. These increases usually occur annually or every six months, as seen with the scheduled rate change on July 3, 2026. These adjustments help keep wages competitive with inflation and the rising demand for skilled mechanical labor in the Northeast.
UA Local 696 is seated in Newark, New Jersey (NJ). We hold published wage sheets for 13 locals across New Jersey — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
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We are a commercial mechanical construction recruiting firm serving Newark and the rest of New Jersey, including contractors signatory to UA Local 696. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place union-scale 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.
The Local 696 pay scale for 2026 is $67.97 per hour for journeymen in Newark, NJ, or about $135,940 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $107.32 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 2025-01-01.
UA Local 696 wages for 2026: journeyman Fire Sprinkler Fitters rate of $67.97 per hour in Newark, NJ, with a total package of $107.32 per hour including fringe benefits, effective 2025-01-01. Apprentices are paid a graduated percentage of that rate. Confirm any increase since 2025-01-01 with the UA Local 696 business office.
The UA Local 696 wage sheet on this page lists the journeyman scale of $67.97 per hour ($107.32 per hour total package), effective 2025-01-01, plus the apprentice percentage steps. The official sheet is published by the UA Local 696 business office; figures here come from that published schedule, so confirm any increase dated after 2025-01-01 with the hall.
Local 696 apprentices earn a graduated percentage of the $67.97 per hour journeyman rate — typically starting near 40–50% ($30.59–$33.99 per hour) in the first period and stepping up each period to 100% at turnout. The exact percentage schedule is set by the UA Local 696 JATC, so confirm the current apprentice sheet with the training center.
Journeyman sprinkler fitters under the UA Local 696 agreement make $67.97 an hour in base wages, or $107.32 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 2025-01-01. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$67.97 per hour base wage and $107.32 per hour total package for a journeyman in Newark, NJ, effective 2025-01-01. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $135,940 before overtime.
A Local 696 apprentice in Newark, NJ starts at roughly $30.59 an hour — about 45% of the $67.97 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $50.98 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 696 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $30.59 an hour, or roughly $61,173 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $67.97 journeyman rate effective 2025-01-01. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $44.18 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $50.98 an hour in the fourth period and $67.97 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 696 training center.
Local 696 wages for 2025: $67.97 an hour on the journeyman scale, $107.32 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 2025-01-01. That is the most recent Newark, NJ sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published UA Local 696 journeyman rate is $67.97 an hour ($107.32 total package), effective 2025-01-01 — roughly $135,940 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. It is the rate in force for 2025 unless the local has since ratified a new agreement.
Yes — a one-page printable UA Local 696 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ua-local-696-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $67.97 hourly scale, the $107.32 total package and the 2025-01-01 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current UA Local 696 journeyman rate is $67.97/hour, with a total package of $107.32/hour including fringe benefits, effective 2025-01-01. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $135,940 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 696 business office before relying on the figure.
The $67.97/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $107.32/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 fire sprinkler fitters labor costs across locals.
Apprentices under the UA Local 696 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 $67.97/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $30.59–$33.99/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
UA Local 696 is headquartered in Newark, NJ and dispatches fire sprinkler fitters 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 fire sprinkler fitters work. Some Local 696 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 696 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 696 training center directly.
Fire Sprinkler Fitters 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 696 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 fire sprinkler fitters 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 2025-01-01 schedule; check with the Local 696 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 696 against neighboring jurisdictions and other fire sprinkler fitters markets.
Yes — the openings section on this page lists current fire sprinkler fitters roles near Newark, NJ, and you can apply directly through the apply form on this page. These are direct-hire positions with mechanical contractors that Gulfstream recruits for, not union dispatch or hall referrals. For the hall's out-of-work list, contact the Local 696 business office.
The UA Local 696 hall is at 41 E Willow St #43, Millburn, NJ 07041, serving Newark, NJ and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: 973-379-7446.
UA Local 696 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at 973-379-7446 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 696 can be reached at 973-379-7446. 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 UA Local 696's current application window and requirements, contact the hall at 973-379-7446.
Each Fire Sprinkler Fitters 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 973-379-7446.
We haven't found an official source for UA Local 696's dues or membership rules. To confirm, contact the hall at 973-379-7446.
We haven't found an official source for UA Local 696's member benefits. To confirm, contact the hall at 973-379-7446.
UA Local 696's sourced sprinkler fitter (fire sprinklers) union rate is $67.97/hr in base wages and $107.32/hr for the total package, effective January 1, 2025. The rate applies to the listed classification and source area; apprentice, foreman and specialty classifications may differ.
$67.97/hr in base wages for sprinkler fitter (fire sprinklers), or $107.32/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective January 1, 2025 per the U.S. DOL Davis-Bacon Wage Determination NJ20260031 wage determination.
January 1, 2025. The negotiated rate on this primary source (U.S. DOL Davis-Bacon Wage Determination NJ20260031) is dated more than 18 months back, so a mid-term raise may already be in effect. Confirm the current step with the local's business office before extending an offer.
No — the $67.97/hr base is wages only. Employers contribute roughly $39.35/hr more per hour worked to health and welfare, pension, annuity and training funds, which is the difference between the base and the $107.32/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.
Moderate confidence — last cross-checked against the source on Oct 5, 2026 (14 days ago). Always confirm the current step with the hall before relying on it for an offer.