See UA, IBEW and SMART side by side, then open the wage, training, apprenticeship, hall or job page that fits your trade. Wage figures come only from dated local rate sheets; application windows and dispatch rules are set by each hall.
Compare UA locals and training · Compare IBEW locals and training · Compare SMART locals and training
The wage range is the lowest to highest published journeyman construction base rate we hold for that union. Benefits are paid on top and vary by local agreement.
| Compare | UA | IBEW | SMART |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trades | Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, HVAC service and welders | Electricians, low-voltage and inside wiremen | Sheet metal workers, HVAC installers, testing and balancing |
| Locals in directory | 242 locals | 252 locals | 92 locals |
| Published rate sheets | 185 construction sheets | 252 construction sheets | 59 construction sheets |
| Published base range | $29.50–$91.00/hr | $26.80–$95.75/hr | $25.75–$63.27/hr |
| Typical program length | Typically five-year | Typically five-year | Typically four- to five-year |
| Training model | The local UA joint apprenticeship and training committee (JATC) | The local IBEW/NECA electrical training alliance (JATC) | The local SMART/SMACNA joint apprenticeship training committee |
| Applications | Set locally; call the hall for the current intake window | Set locally; call the hall for the current intake window | Set locally; call the hall for the current intake window |
Plumbers and pipefitters are UA; inside wiremen are IBEW; HVAC ductwork and architectural sheet metal are SMART. Pay is set by the local agreement, not the trade, so compare the published rate for the halls in your area rather than the trade name.
Plumbers union wages · Electricians union wages · Pipefitters union wages · Sheet metal workers union wages · HVAC union wages
Start with the national trade page, then narrow to a local hall for its dated rate, downloadable sheet, apprentice pay steps and contact details.
Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, HVAC service and welders
Electricians, low-voltage and inside wiremen
Sheet metal workers, HVAC installers, testing and balancing
UA, IBEW and SMART set the broad training framework, but the local hall controls the agreement, wage steps, jurisdiction, application window and dispatch process. A missing rate means we do not hold a published sheet we can cite—not that the local has no rate.
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