Chicago wages......

[ptonsparky]

I think $18+ in this area for State licensed journeymen. The new alcohol plants are begging for them. We have an enforced 3 to one ratio of apprentices to journeymen so out of state contractors have to find Nebaska licensed guys to supervise...no matter what the experience of their men.

 

[petersonra]

Does anyone know the going payscale for a licensed journeyman non-union in the city of Chicago?

I am not sure there is such a thing as non-union licensed journeyman in the city of Chicago

 

[brian john]

First I assume you are an electrician by choice, the pay scale is what it is, and you can make what you are worth if 1. You know what you are doing in your particular field (become an expert fire alarm, electrical tester, controls, NEC, ect?) 2. Live in an area that needs your expertise, 3. (IN OUR AREA) work union, the union electricians make the most money and the best qualified are in the union, not because the union trains them so well, but because the best join the union for the bigger bucks and bennies.

In our area good electricians make between 70,000.00-100,000.00. But Northern VA, is the 3rd or 4th costliest places to live.

What I find strange is the hourly charges in Florida are close to our hourly charges here, going rate here is 70.00-90.00 for a commercial service call. Residential is higher.


Lastly if you go 30 miles west of where I live the union scale drops from 31.75 to around 21.00. So most of those guys work here.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

Hey don't laugh, here in Arizona a grocery store manager in a busy store can easily make $100 to $125K per year with bonuses.

I think being a good store manager is more difficult than being a good electrician.

 

[russ]

Chicago area Local union scale is $36.30 plus benifits
Non union, is based on experience $15 to $35, some may get health insurance.

 

[electricguy61]

Here in Tampa green kids out of school get $10 and guys that are close to being journeymen with 10 years behind them are lucky to see $15.We have a shortage of kids wanting in a field that pays so poorly.Its not an easy job and requires many tools.I would not have become an electrician if i seen this coming.My pay is just slightly more than it was 18 years ago

One apprentice, started with no experience @ $12, now starting his 3rd year, is at $20, no benefits (I used to provide health insurance, but he got married and his wife covers it now. I gave him the difference in a raise). Other apprentice, $12.

That being said, the cost of living here is very high. I also believe in paying as much as I can. I train my apprentices well, and they frequently get offers from other contractors.

I'd rather pay one good man (or woman) $20 an hour then 3 romex stringers $10.

 

[growler]

I would not have become an electrician if i seen this coming.My pay is just slightly more than it was 18 years ago

Jim there is an up-side to being an electrician. You can always become a service contractor and then you get to listen to customers cry all day about how much you charge.

There is no joy like wringing the tears out of a check and then laying it up on the de-froster to dry on the way to the bank.

The only way to get paid what you are worth is to do it yourself ( write your own pay check ).

 

[allenwayne]

First I assume you are an electrician by choice, the pay scale is what it is, and you can make what you are worth if 1. You know what you are doing in your particular field (become an expert fire alarm, electrical tester, controls, NEC, ect?) 2. Live in an area that needs your expertise, 3. (IN OUR AREA) work union, the union electricians make the most money and the best qualified are in the union, not because the union trains them so well, but because the best join the union for the bigger bucks and bennies.

In our area good electricians make between 70,000.00-100,000.00. But Northern VA, is the 3rd or 4th costliest places to live.

What I find strange is the hourly charges in Florida are close to our hourly charges here, going rate here is 70.00-90.00 for a commercial service call. Residential is higher.


Lastly if you go 30 miles west of where I live the union scale drops from 31.75 to around 21.00. So most of those guys work here.

Brian,how does the EC make a profit if charging 70 to 90 dollars/ hr and pay the help what you say they get.Take into account material,workers comp insurance,vehicle payments/maint./gas and labor that leaves ZIP for the EC ?????

Unions aren`t a powerful entity here since it is a right to work state.A good qualified electrician here will get $18 to $24 / hr.When I became a supervisor several years ago I was at $20/hr residential + bonuses.With a company truck to take home and holidays and vacation.We had to pay our own medical but it was a good policy so I didn`t mind having kids and all.The truck alone was worth $150/ week to me having to drive 40 miles to work each way.Then I became part of managment and we all know what that means.Longer hours more responsibility and by the time you figure it out the hourly was about the same.But I come home clean every day and my hands have lost the calouses.

 

[Rockyd]

Without being emotional on the issue, will throw in $.02 worth...

If all contractors were like Electricguy61 there wouldn't be a need for a union.

Brian John also makes some serious, and valid points.

Allen also makes some interesting points. According to a lot of posts, and the economic climate around the country, it's competitive from both fronts.

To me it's a question of balance of all the above. Kids coming onto the industry don't have a clue to save (money and insurance) for the future, or where to start getting trained, old dogs often wish they had a security blanket under them (pension).
Unions, while not perfect, do still cast a big shadow within the industry. Ebb and flow of membership through out history is interesting in regard to hows and why's of growth and recession in regard to industry, politics, and control.
Best comparison I can make to make a long story, short (albeit for way different reasons) is we need the unions, like America needs the military. Both serve way different functions, but both cast a positive light in the long play of things.
I worked open shop from 1980 to 86, joined the union in 86, and has been a good thing overall for me. While it's not for everyone, it works well for most. Off my soapbox, but that is my $.25 worth.

 

[infinity]

Without being emotional on the issue, will throw in $.02 worth...

If all contractors were like Electricguy61 there wouldn't be a need for a union.

Brian John also makes some serious, and valid points.

Allen also makes some interesting points. According to a lot of posts, and the economic climate around the country, it's competitive from both fronts.

To me it's a question of balance of all the above. Kids coming onto the industry don't have a clue to save (money and insurance) for the future, or where to start getting trained, old dogs often wish they had a security blanket under them (pension).
Unions, while not perfect, do still cast a big shadow within the industry. Ebb and flow of membership through out history is interesting in regard to hows and why's of growth and recession in regard to industry, politics, and control.
Best comparison I can make to make a long story, short (albeit for way different reasons) is we need the unions, like America needs the military. Both serve way different functions, but both cast a positive light in the long play of things.
I worked open shop from 1980 to 86, joined the union in 86, and has been a good thing overall for me. While it's not for everyone, it works well for most. Off my soapbox, but that is my $.25 worth.

Rocky, while I agree with some of your points in principle, I foresee your post being deleted. Soapbox discussions of this nature are frowned upon by many of the members here and the owner of this forum.

 

[Dexie123]

Rocky, while I agree with some of your points in principle, I foresee your post being deleted. Soapbox discussions of this nature are frowned upon by many of the members here and the owner of this forum.

Why? This whole thread is dedicated to wages. Particularly Chicago. Why would one post be deleted just b/c it discusses unions? It's completely relevent and appropriate, IMHO.

 

[infinity]

Why? This whole thread is dedicated to wages. Particularly Chicago. Why would one post be deleted just b/c it discusses unions? It's completely relevent and appropriate, IMHO.

I am only commenting on threads of this nature and how they were dealt with in the past. Personally I have no opinion to express here on the subject.

 

[growler]

hourly charges in Florida are close to our hourly charges here, going rate here is 70.00-90.00 for a commercial service call. Residential is higher

Do you really charge more for residential?

I have been doing it the other way around. I charge more for commercial and even add on an admin. fee for having to bill them. With residential I have them pay when the job is complete ( no billing ).

Other than that I think everyone is talking about two different types of electrical work. You really can't compare construction with service work. Many service techs. work on commision. Being a service electrician is half sales. So long as he brings in the money the company doesn't care how much he makes ( the profit margin is the same ).

 

[redline]

With a full benefits package, San Francisco and NYC are 70+ an hour.

 

[brian john]

In our area the residential contractors are mostly non union, they pay less per hour and fewer benefits for the most parts, yet they charge 70.00 for the first half hour (Several I do work for) and 70.00 for the next hour. We charge 70.00 an hour for an electrician, 80.00 for generator tech, 90.00 for controls and/or testing tech and I charge 90.00 and up an hour for my services. Our scale is 31.75 at present maybe 6.00 in benies plus other cost, vacations, holidays, bonuses and trucks run the up top about 48.00 (I think that was the last loaded rate figure). So we sell material and rental on test equipment. (I HOPE).

When I go to residential projects I charge top dollar, theses houses are Upscale (the gatehouse is larger that my house at most of these places) and I do electrical inspections for the Architect.

In business I have been VERY LUCKY, I am an electrician I have a business partner that is also an electrician, but has spent the last 22 years keeping books and an electrician employee that handles 90% of the estimating and sales. I do all the reports and solve problems.

I LOVE WHAT I DO

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

Want to get sick ?While waiting on materials i was talking to the dumpster loader.This takes like min. cdl.He was on trip number 9 and already earned 197 for his day at 2 pm.He broke hydrolic line and waiting on repair.Not his truck or anything and takes home $1,000 min ..Guess i waisting my time wiring.