Im taking my journeyman test in two months,Im wondering what I can expect (roughly) to start off with as far as hourly wage.Im told anywhere between 22 and 25 for first year journeyman in the Boston area. I work for a small residential outfit and maybe I can expect more in commercial. Any input will be helpful and I know how good you are makes a difference. Thanks. Can I expect acouple of dollars more yearly after I get my ticket??
Boston area wages
- Thread starter bond
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Re: Boston area wages
The 22 -25 seems right according to my 2 pals. A couple of factors are the size of the company and whether they focus on commercial or residential work with commercial paying more. A union journeyman in the Boston area commands in the neighborhood of 34.50 an hour. A lot of these guys are on the street at this time as the need for Union electricians is in a down cycle!
Re: Boston area wages
Thanks for the info Irodpti ,it takes me awhile to respond,that figure sounds right to me also.It looks like its more of a personal matter when it comes to wages seeing no one else has answerd this question.All I wanted were different views on what to look forward to as a first year Journeyman. Thank you.
Thanks for the info Irodpti ,it takes me awhile to respond,that figure sounds right to me also.It looks like its more of a personal matter when it comes to wages seeing no one else has answerd this question.All I wanted were different views on what to look forward to as a first year Journeyman. Thank you.
kelley
Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Estimator
Re: Boston area wages
i think a lot has to do with your experience. first year or not if you do not have the experience you will not recieve the pay. i work for a 5 man shop west of boston comm resi and ind and we will pay in the 22-25 range for a proven qualified electrician. a lot of our interviews sound good on the phone but the in person interview usually reveals the candidate is not what we expected from the phone interview. so we are still looking for apprentices and journeymen its just tough to find the "right" person
Kelley
i think a lot has to do with your experience. first year or not if you do not have the experience you will not recieve the pay. i work for a 5 man shop west of boston comm resi and ind and we will pay in the 22-25 range for a proven qualified electrician. a lot of our interviews sound good on the phone but the in person interview usually reveals the candidate is not what we expected from the phone interview. so we are still looking for apprentices and journeymen its just tough to find the "right" person
Kelley
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Boston area wages
I work out of Norwood MA and have some suggestions for getting the 'good pay' around here.
Join Local 103
or
Hook up with a large non-union shop.
Either of these options have good and bad points.
It has been my experience that the small non-union shops in this area do not do the kind of work that brings in the money needed to provide training, good benefits and pay scale.
There are at least 3 or 4 large merit shops in this area that can provide training, good pay and great benefits.
With the Union or the large merit shops you will find yourself on big jobs doing interesting work, OK sometimes it may be boring repetitive work, 5000 2 x 4 drop ins and 10,000 receptacles.
If you are good you will not be wasted on this boring stuff.
Wages are personal.
I work out of Norwood MA and have some suggestions for getting the 'good pay' around here.
Join Local 103
or
Hook up with a large non-union shop.
Either of these options have good and bad points.
It has been my experience that the small non-union shops in this area do not do the kind of work that brings in the money needed to provide training, good benefits and pay scale.
There are at least 3 or 4 large merit shops in this area that can provide training, good pay and great benefits.
With the Union or the large merit shops you will find yourself on big jobs doing interesting work, OK sometimes it may be boring repetitive work, 5000 2 x 4 drop ins and 10,000 receptacles.
If you are good you will not be wasted on this boring stuff.
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: Boston area wages
Bob, that is what I have heard too. That's why I want to get out of doing residential work.
I can say first hand that small companies do not provide good benefits and pay. Some do, but they are the exception and not the rule.
Bob, that is what I have heard too. That's why I want to get out of doing residential work.
I can say first hand that small companies do not provide good benefits and pay. Some do, but they are the exception and not the rule.
chuckwheat
Member
Re: Boston area wages
What are the names of the large merit shops? Any ballpark estimates of wages for a competent, alas newly licensed journeyman?
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Boston area wages
In no particular order.
WAYNE J. GRIFFIN ELECTRIC, INC.
Headquarters. Holliston, Mass.
Branch offices. Pelham, Ala.; Atlanta; and Cary, N.C.
Employees. 787
2002 sales. $113.1 million
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CONSTAR INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Headquarters. Norwood, MA
Branch offices. Albany, N.Y.; Hartford, Conn.; Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; and Denver
Employees. 900
2002 sales. $116 million
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Interstate Electrical Services
North Billerica, MA
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Can't help you with the starting wage it has been a while since I was starting out.
What are the names of the large merit shops? Any ballpark estimates of wages for a competent, alas newly licensed journeyman? [/QUOTE]
In no particular order.
WAYNE J. GRIFFIN ELECTRIC, INC.
Headquarters. Holliston, Mass.
Branch offices. Pelham, Ala.; Atlanta; and Cary, N.C.
Employees. 787
2002 sales. $113.1 million
-------------------------------------------------
CONSTAR INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Headquarters. Norwood, MA
Branch offices. Albany, N.Y.; Hartford, Conn.; Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; and Denver
Employees. 900
2002 sales. $116 million
------------------------------------------------
Interstate Electrical Services
North Billerica, MA
------------------------------------------------
Can't help you with the starting wage it has been a while since I was starting out.
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: Boston area wages
Bob,
I didn't know Constar had that many branches. Are they all electrical divisions?
Bob,
I didn't know Constar had that many branches. Are they all electrical divisions?
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Boston area wages
No, some employees provide Data com services.
No, some employees provide Data com services.
resistance
Senior Member
- Location
- WA
Re: Boston area wages
Just to add my two cents: Only a few will pay that high (20-25) for residential Journeyman just entering the trade. I've only been to one company that would pay as much as 21 per hour, and they operated on piece work. Most other electrical companies--in our town-- are starting you off at $16 per hour, and some try to low ball you on that. To get 20-25 is almost unthinkable, unless you are union, or on prevailing wage. Don't count on getting 20-25 if you are a residential journeyman who's just receieved a residential J-man card. Matter-of- fact, you may have to wait 6-9 years before you will even get to 21 per hour.
Make note: Locality and company is very important when speaking on wage. The electrical trade is very very rewarding, but you must have your heart in all aspects of the trade, if you want to make good pay. Residential doesn't pay well--trust me, I'm there now!!! The last poster was correct. Union shop are laying off like rain in seattle. Good luck!!!
Just to add my two cents: Only a few will pay that high (20-25) for residential Journeyman just entering the trade. I've only been to one company that would pay as much as 21 per hour, and they operated on piece work. Most other electrical companies--in our town-- are starting you off at $16 per hour, and some try to low ball you on that. To get 20-25 is almost unthinkable, unless you are union, or on prevailing wage. Don't count on getting 20-25 if you are a residential journeyman who's just receieved a residential J-man card. Matter-of- fact, you may have to wait 6-9 years before you will even get to 21 per hour.
Make note: Locality and company is very important when speaking on wage. The electrical trade is very very rewarding, but you must have your heart in all aspects of the trade, if you want to make good pay. Residential doesn't pay well--trust me, I'm there now!!! The last poster was correct. Union shop are laying off like rain in seattle. Good luck!!!
Re: Boston area wages
took me a while to get back to this but i appreciate all the input from you all.One response i have is for resistance, i understand residential does not pay well but i think your figures may be a little off, no one,electrician, could ever survive or even go through the trouble of getting their liscence here in the boston area if they had to wait six to nine years before making 21 an hour, you would not survive financialy around here, so i dont know where you heard this but as a first year journeyman i would not work for any less than that period..that would be an insult after all the school and hours of work time. Are you way out somewhere in another state? because if your not something is wrong where you are,people would not be entering the trade if your perspective was true!!!
took me a while to get back to this but i appreciate all the input from you all.One response i have is for resistance, i understand residential does not pay well but i think your figures may be a little off, no one,electrician, could ever survive or even go through the trouble of getting their liscence here in the boston area if they had to wait six to nine years before making 21 an hour, you would not survive financialy around here, so i dont know where you heard this but as a first year journeyman i would not work for any less than that period..that would be an insult after all the school and hours of work time. Are you way out somewhere in another state? because if your not something is wrong where you are,people would not be entering the trade if your perspective was true!!!
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Boston area wages
I made the switch to commercial this last year and would never go back to residential.Pay is slightly better but above all the work is far easier.
I made the switch to commercial this last year and would never go back to residential.Pay is slightly better but above all the work is far easier.
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