I am looking at hiring an apprentice electrician. Looking at what I should pay the apprentice. The apprentice has two years of trade schooling but really not much on the job training. He will be working part time. Should I look at paying a percentage pay of journeyman scale? Any thoughts or ideas?
apprentice pay
- Thread starter chris1971
- Start date
- Status
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I started a Guy similar at about 80%. We can't get anyone for min wage. Don't want to either.
quinn77
Senior Member
- Location
- Lake Jackson, TX USA
agreed. pay with peanuts, get monkeys.
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Hiring can be "you get what you pay for" or it can make no difference, sometimes a fresh out of school can be the best to hire or could turn out to be a spoiled kid still living with the parents who doesn't have to work, but if your hiring skills are sharp and you know what to look for, you can get lucky, and find one trying to make a good go at a careerer.
Watch for the signs that they enjoy what their doing, these employees will whine less and will strive more to doing a good job (also helps if you try to make their employment enjoyable)
Generally 30 days is enough time to see if a person will work out, after this they should be brought up to a pay scale that would reflect their skills, its ok to have a starting pay that seems low, but shouldn't last longer then the 30 days, and always let them know that if they get past the 30 days they will be given a raise or you might scare a good employee away. this also lowers your hiring cost.
Watch for the signs that they enjoy what their doing, these employees will whine less and will strive more to doing a good job (also helps if you try to make their employment enjoyable)
Generally 30 days is enough time to see if a person will work out, after this they should be brought up to a pay scale that would reflect their skills, its ok to have a starting pay that seems low, but shouldn't last longer then the 30 days, and always let them know that if they get past the 30 days they will be given a raise or you might scare a good employee away. this also lowers your hiring cost.
- Location
- Massachusetts
IMO there is no way a green guy is worth 80% of a J-man.
But I also think there is no way this question can be answered on a National forum, you need to find out what others in your area are paying or being paid.
But I also think there is no way this question can be answered on a National forum, you need to find out what others in your area are paying or being paid.
tryinghard
Senior Member
- Location
- California
In California an apprentice is someone who's involved in a mandated program (4 or 5 exist) and their pay is a percentage of journeymen prevailing wage in increments depending on time spent. It?s a 5 year apprenticeship and depending on their location starting out could be 8 to 13 an hour and pay bumps up at 1 year then every 6 months after. Actually they have a 3 year program for residential only as well.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
My top rate may be lower than some of your apprentices make. This is not much different than the ongoing debate on "how much should I charge".
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
The real answer may well end up being whatever it takes to get the guy you really want.
I suggest starting him out low and let him know his pay will increase as he becomes more productive and does better work.
I don't know what two years of school is worth to you either. Maybe very little if he has no actual field experience, and you are looking for a basic electrician. Maybe a lot if he brings things to the table you need.
I am also curious why you want an apprentice. They are not usually very cost effective and there are plenty of fully trained people you could hire who would make more money for you. I kind of wonder if you are really looking for a laborer.
I suggest starting him out low and let him know his pay will increase as he becomes more productive and does better work.
I don't know what two years of school is worth to you either. Maybe very little if he has no actual field experience, and you are looking for a basic electrician. Maybe a lot if he brings things to the table you need.
I am also curious why you want an apprentice. They are not usually very cost effective and there are plenty of fully trained people you could hire who would make more money for you. I kind of wonder if you are really looking for a laborer.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Don't know how it is in Minnesota but good luck on finding some spare of those in this area.
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