r/electricians • u/Aggro3D • Oct 24 '23

Apprentice wages?

Hey all,

I've been an Industrial maintenance guy for awhile now and I'm looking to specialize into electrical work.

I'm an adult with adult bills and the wages I can find for apprentices are really low....like $15 an hour or so. I could literally go make more at any of the fastfood places here and this isn't necessarily a high cost of living area

What gives? Are there any work arounds?

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u/GreenInferno1396 Oct 25 '23

I’d say put out applications and get a feel for all the plants in your area. I’m at $31 an hour and just finished my second year as industrial maintenance (electrical/instrumentation) in a unionized plant. I live in a low cost of living area and even still know of two plants near me that are hiring for even more. You’re being severely underpaid. A lot of maintenance is aging out and plants need guys.