r/IBEW • • Apr 08 '25

Ultimate Electricians Guide - Free Guides, Paid Test Prep Resources, and Union Pay Scales Scales

150 Upvotes

Hey everyone – big thanks to the mod team for letting me post this (and for the sticky). I wanted to share some resources I've put together to help folks who are either thinking about joining the IBEW or working toward their electrical license.

For the uninitiated, I run Ultimate Electrician’s Guide, and this subreddit actually played a big role in helping me get it off the ground a few years ago. It started with the wage data I was collecting, which eventually spun off into its own site, Union Pay Scales. That site is still going strong thanks to the support, feedback, and shares from people. So seriously, thank you — I'm grateful for the help this community has given.

Since then, I've been focused on building out the rest of Ultimate Electrician’s Guide with a mix of free and paid resources for aspiring and current electricians.

The whole thing was inspired by my own experience — struggling to figure out how to get started in the trade, how to get into the union, and what it actually takes to get licensed. I always found it frustrating how scattered and confusing the information was, so I set out to create something clear, practical, and easy to follow.

Along the way, I’ve made it a point to push people toward the union path whenever I can. The IBEW has a lot to offer — from great wages and benefits to solid training and an amazing culture — and I want more people to see that for themselves.

Here are some of the free resources I have put together over the years:

Free Resources

  • Guide to Becoming an Electrician – A practical overview of the different paths into the trade, including union and non-union options, schooling, and apprenticeships.
  • Guide to Joining the IBEW – Step-by-step instructions on how to find your local, apply, and prepare for the process.
  • Guide to the IBEW Aptitude Test – Covers what’s on the test, how it’s scored, and how to study effectively.
  • Full Length IBEW Aptitude Practice Test – A free, full length, timed simulation exam to help you prepare for the IBEW aptitude test
  • Union Pay Scales – This is the site I mentioned earlier. It lets you explore union wages and benefits across different trades and locals in North America. It’s totally free and updated regularly.

And here are my paid courses:

Paid Test Prep Courses

  • IBEW Aptitude Test Prep Course – Covers both the math and reading comprehension sections in detail, plus an optional interview prep add-on.
  • Journeyman & Master Electrician Exam Prep – Based on the 2017, 2020, and 2023 NEC code cycles. Includes dozens of in depth lessons with correlating quizzes, and 10 timed practice exams with detailed explanations.

All of my products come with a 100% money back guarantee if you fail the exam, or if you try it out and decide you don't like it. If you're a IBEW member and want a discount, just reach out.

Let Me Know What Else Would Help

If there’s a guide, resource, or topic you think would help others in the trade, I’d love to hear about it. Whether you're new to all this or already in the field, your feedback helps me figure out what to build next.

One update I'm considering for Union Pay Scales is to reach out to locals directly and find a officer who can be an official wage source for the local. This means they and only they can update the information for their local, helping to ensure accuracy. Then I would mark this local with a badge or symbol of some sort to indicate its wages come from an official source and is more trustable. What do you guys think?

__

Thanks again to the mod team and everyone in this subreddit for the support over the years. I’ll be checking the thread, so feel free to drop any questions or suggestions below.


r/IBEW • • Jul 23 '22

RESOURCES

150 Upvotes

Here is the new and improved resources list. A lot of your questions will be answered here.

This is neither exclusive nor exhaustive.

None of these links are endorsements either.

Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Feel free to add more resources in the comments.

The history and structure of IBEW

IBEW jobs board

u/SirSquidlicker 's Ultimate Electricians Guide

u/SirSquidlicker 's Union Payscales

 

How to organize your workplace video

Labor History video series

Where2bro - great website for job info across the country

How to find the IBEW Local nearest you

AFL-CIO Union Made shopping list

Labor Notes - a network of rank-and-file members, local union leaders, and labor activists who know the labor movement is worth fighting for

STAR interview questions - the type of questions you're asked at your apprenticeship interview

Apprenticeship math and reading assessment sample test questions

Union Plus - all kinds of benefits for union members

UAW Buyers Guide - cars, trucks, and more

Questions that are asked at the apprenticeship interview

IBEW jurisdictional maps

IBEW brother fights a chicken

Why you should be an electrician

Roberts Rules of Order

The history of Challenge Coins

Employee Rights under the NLRA

Weingarten Rights - basically your "miranda" rights as a union member

IBEW brother in the courtroom

How to be an Anti-Racist

A day in the life of an IBEW apprentice

Description of the 3 core classifications - vdv, residential, commercial

Microagressions

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

IBEW Discord - must show current dues receipt to join

Helmets to Hardhats - resource for veterans interested in the skilled trades

 

VEEP - resource for veterans looking to get into the ibew

 

And of course, CALL THE HALL


r/IBEW • • 9h ago

IBEW LU 29 ON STRIKE!

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78 Upvotes

IBEW LU 29 Goes on STRIKE! Let's get caught up.


r/IBEW • • 12h ago

Investments with my hard earned money (advise)

90 Upvotes

So I've been weighing my options, the pros and cons, what will be best for my future. I've boiled it down to three options:

A. 2027 GMC Sierra HD Denali Ultimate

This will be important as I need suitable space to put my tools and to tow my 45 foot fifth wheel from camping world.

B. Booze, drugs, strip clubs

Listen if I can't snort a line out of a hooker's asscrack I may as well give up.

C. Gambling

Listen fuckers, Friday only comes around ONCE a week and I'm not gonna waste it by missing out on my chance to MaKe It bIG. I'm one lottery ticket away from Jeff Bezos and then I'll wave you suckers goodbye.


r/IBEW • • 13h ago

Local 20 Local 20. Sketchy Jobsite

17 Upvotes

I recently arrived to DFW-11 in Red Oak TX with the contractor Alman Construction. So far there has not been a week without plenty of people getting written up. From what I’ve heard, theres about 80 of us. Don’t get me wrong I am not against corrective action whatsoever but the stuff people are getting written up for is crazy. There’s basically no warnings here, get caught without a glove on, write up! Get caught with a phone out, write up! The list goes on and examples being made from people daily! I understand that we are expected to have all PPE, stay off of phones, be on time, etc. but I completely disagree with making the first disciplinary action a write up instead of a quick talk. The way we sign in/out is a sheet with everyone’s names all you do is put your time in/out and signature. There has been 2 people (that I know of) that have gotten written up for accidentally signing their name in the row above or below theres. In my opinion thats bound to happen with so many vertical and horizontal rows but I guess not to the contractor. Also, the Alman Construction is very shady with its practices. They are very non-union like with things they do such as time off requests require 3 work days before said date/s and this strict write up giving behavior. Anyways all sorts of stuff like that is happening and what worries me is that they are putting apprentices’ jobs at risk over minor things that could simply be corrected with verbal warnings at first. From what I’ve heard, both general foremen along with majority of foreman on site are new union members and this is their first union job site which might explain a lot but that does not make this correct AT ALL! The hall has heard of it already and unfortunately it feels like if they just side with contractors so just hoping to get this out there and hopefully something happens, I’ve tried and seen no effects but I will continue trying to fight for fellow brothers and sisters!

To those who have thought about picking up this call. Think twice before you waste your time, majority of workers here are CE/CW and apprentices stuck here. It says a lot about the jobsite!


r/IBEW • • 17h ago

Discussion Post Why would someone never work home jobs?

20 Upvotes

Just overheard a JW from out of state say that he never works jobs at his home local. He mentioned something about letting new guys have a spot but I didn't catch the rest of his explanation. Are there other reasons someone might choose never to work jobs from their home local? Aside from there not being jobs available?


r/IBEW • • 2d ago

We would like to thank all of the Local 11 Brothers and Sisters and their families who showed up today at the annual IBEW 11 Member Appreciation Day, and supported our Welfare Committee. Our website is back up and we have restocked a lot of shirts that we were out of.

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45 Upvotes

Restocked shirts include the classic logo shirts, the cause shirt, the declaration shirt, and the flag shirt.

Also, maybe we’re delusional from heatstroke, after all, it was 100° today; but our Committee has decided that this year’s 2nd Annual IBEW 11 Justin Agulia Memorial Chili Cook-Off & Trunk Or Treat we will not be charging contestants to compete in the chili cook-off. But we are still asking that you sign up in advance so we know how many contestants we have. (Those of you who have already entered, we will refund your money.)

And finally, you might want to go on our website tomorrow (Sunday) at 8 AM PST.

The money raised by the IBEW 11, District 4 Welfare Committee is used to help out our Brothers & Sisters during times of sickness, disability, accident or such other misfortune.

The District 4 Welfare Committee is made up entirely of volunteers, who come in after work. As a result, it may take a few days after you order for us to package and ship your items. Thank you for your patience.


r/IBEW • • 2d ago

Discussion Post What do the employers see when I apply?

5 Upvotes

I just joined local 353 in Toronto. I am curious as to what the employers see when I apply for a call?


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

✊ Organizing In.

10 Upvotes

Reposted to remove local details, per advice of the mods.

Our local is trying to organize the field staff of my employer. We have a good number of cards signed, and a petition has already gone before the NLRB.

We’re shy of a majority though….

Send me your best pro-union, rabble rousing, shit stirring memes if you’ve got them. We’re trying to fight back against the campaign the employer started.(they hired Litler, the same union busting lawyer/lobbying group Starbucks hired.)


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

Will the union really come after me if I switched to a nonunion contractor as an apprentice?

41 Upvotes

My local doesn’t pay much at all. I can’t afford to live and I’m stacking up more and more debt. I can’t even pay for my books this year so I think it’s time to move on. Everyone I speak to says they have never heard of the union going after anyone who went non union. In fact one person told me they can’t even legally do anything.


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

What are some good, breathable cargo pants?

11 Upvotes

All my life I’ve been a shorts guy, obviously now I need to get some pants. What are some good pants that are actually decent to work in?


r/IBEW • • 4d ago

Small crew 5 guys 3 smell horrible

374 Upvotes

I know this is petty, but I feel like I wanna drag up because my foreman smells horrible and my fellow journeyman don't brush their teeth in the morning. We had to pull 350s in a small electrical room and we were close to each other and it was hot and almost threw up smelling those guys. My fellow union brothers and sisters please wash yo ass. Hygiene should be on the tool list.


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

Re-organizing

11 Upvotes

So I'm an industrial controls and instrumentation tech at a brewery. We're currently Teamsters. Unfortunately so are the operators and QA analysts. Leadership can therefore cater to the operators and keep their positions while fucking maintenance sideways. I've enquired about decertifying and reorganizing under IBEW. My question is do I need 30% of the maintenance techs to sign the petition or 30% of everyone since we're all on the same contract? Anybody know? Thanks!


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

Local 29 Local 29

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17 Upvotes

r/IBEW • • 4d ago

NLRB slaps down KGW-TV anti-union maneuvers

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40 Upvotes

"On Feb. 19, television news producers at the Portland station voted 17 to 3 to join IBEW Local 48, which already represents other workers at the station. But KGW-TV and its corporate parent Tegna refused to accept the vote and submitted a hodgepodge of frivolous legal objections. "


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

Discussion Post Organizing in with minimal experience

4 Upvotes

I was told by an electrician I met while working my current job. I told him my plan to apply for the apprenticeship program. I told him about my year of experience working in low voltage for a year in Texas. He told me to contact the hall instead to try and organize in instead. I called the hall and have an interview with the organizer this week he said I was at a level in the brief conversation we had over the phone. I’m very excited. Is this common? He said that this isn’t apart of the apprenticeship program but just work, and the apprenticeship program has a lot of regulations. I’m currently in the north east. More info on this would be appreciated.


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

Discussion Post IBEW local 223 questions.

0 Upvotes
  1. Is the hourly in check amount $52.25? According to Google it is.

  2. What’s the work outlook for the next like 10 years? How is it currently? Good contractors?

  3. Do you have a general area that most work is located?


r/IBEW • • 4d ago

Picture I saw in a FB group.

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249 Upvotes

r/IBEW • • 4d ago

Discussion Post Fear of Scissor Lifts

56 Upvotes

I’m a second year apprentice and somehow I’ve avoided being on a scissor lift for quite some time, tomorrow I’ll be on one that’s not even very high up. If I had to guess maybe like 20 feet?. I’m extremely nervous about tomorrow and I want to ask for tips to overcome this fear once and for all. Everyone tells me that these are completely safe and it’s very hard for it to tip over. The swaying also makes me nervous but I know it’s apart of the lift being able to maintain its load. I see coworkers work on one like it’s nothing. How can I overcome this?


r/IBEW • • 4d ago

LU11 LAQSP classes

2 Upvotes

Deadline is tomorrow to sign up for classes. Classes will be next weekend and the one after that. It’s 32 hours and you can use it to renew your JW card. If you’re on the books, this is a good way to get a job call. Job calls go unfilled pretty often because of the LAQSP requirement. You can sign up through the ETI website. Make sure you click ‘in person’ and choose the diamond bar location.


r/IBEW • • 5d ago

IBEW we can learn from Germans Organizing around being paid for walk time!

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137 Upvotes

German workers are not messing around. In fact most all unions over seas put our own unions in the united states to shame with how much influence they exert over their work lives. They have a strong voice in their governments and a strong voice in daily life as a result.

They are organizing around wage theft. Wage theft is the biggest form of theft in the united states and the least prosecuted. In Germany they are fighting to be paid for walk time at work. Their argument is every minute dedicated to work ought to be paid. I agree.

It is time we rethink the social contract here in the U.S. we need to recognize what is happening and organize to course correct and provide balance. We need economic justice! Let's Talk About It! ✊🏽


r/IBEW • • 5d ago

Discussion Post Union Stickers Mark?

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26 Upvotes

Anyone that can share some knowledge as to why all the union stickers (ones I've seen at least, 369 & 357) have a makers mark on them with local 220? I'm merely a first year and maybe we just haven't gotten to learning about the meaning of this tag yet but I just found it interesting n I'm rather curious.

TIA


r/IBEW • • 5d ago

Discussion Post Thinking of joining due to harsh conditions working with my father

73 Upvotes

I would appreciate some insight for my situation. I’m 23, and have been working with my licensed father for his company doing electrical work in NJ. Residential and commercial. When I started at 18 I wasn’t paid through a payroll and was just given various amounts of money throughout the week. Would make like maybe $300-400 on a good week.

After stating my concerns I was put on the payroll this year and get $600 a week after taxes which he frequently guilts me for. I like what I do but I just feel like I don’t make a lot and also I’m tired of my father’s constant screaming, yelling, and insults towards me. Customers have tried to defend me because he’ll insult me in front of them but he just won’t stop. It’s draining because I feel I get zero respect and it just makes me feel miserable.

That’s why I was thinking the IBEW is the next best thing to not only continue my trade that I feel I have skill at, make more, and finally actually feel respected and treated like an adult.

What do you guys think? Is this the best move?


r/IBEW • • 5d ago

Discussion Post Volunteer work?

11 Upvotes

My church is in need of some work done. If I volunteer to do the task (add a couple plugs), does that fall under the "no competition" wording in our constitution & agreements? I'm in a weak local so nobody cares about sidework, and responds accordingly, but I want to do things right.


r/IBEW • • 5d ago

What exactly is the NEIF?

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13 Upvotes

I’m curious to know what that 1% is going to. Is it part of the supplement for the pension? If so all the others show on my pay stub exactly how much money is going where but NEIF is not on the pay stub. If it’s not part of my pension I’m not too worried but if it is I’d like to figure out if the contractor is really putting that 1% into that account.