Summary: Apprentices typically start around $15–$20 per hour and see steady wage increases each year as they gain skills, often reaching $50,000–$70,000+ by their final apprentice year and $70,000–$100,000+ as journeymen. This guide breaks down realistic Year 1–4 earnings, overtime impacts, and regional adjustments so you can compare apprenticeship pay to other career paths.
Understanding apprenticeship earnings is one of the most practical — and often overlooked — parts of planning a skilled trades career. Unlike college, apprenticeships pay you while you learn, and many trainees start earning meaningful money from Day 1. But just how much do apprentices truly make as they progress toward journeyman status?
This guide breaks down typical wages for apprentices across Years 1-4, including:
- Starting wages
- Annual raises
- Journeyman pay at the end of training
- Overtime effects on annual earnings
- State/regional wage adjustments (broad comparisons)
Different trades and regions vary, but this table represents a realistic range based on common apprenticeship wage schedules for electricians, HVAC techs, plumbers, and similar trades.
Typical Apprenticeship Wage Schedule (Year 1–4)
The table below uses approximate percentages of journeyman wage scales and typical overtime patterns. Most trade apprenticeships incrementally raise wages each year as skills and responsibilities grow.
| Year |
Typical Hourly Wage Range |
Annual Base Pay Range |
Estimated Overtime Impact |
Notes |
| Year 1 (Entry-Level) |
$15 – $20/hr |
$30,000 – $40,000 |
+$2,000 – $5,000 |
Mostly on-the-job training; limited OT; lowest pay but earliest income |
| Year 2 |
$18 – $24/hr |
$36,000 – $48,000 |
+$3,000 – $7,000 |
More responsibility; common bump in base rate; OT grows with tasks |
| Year 3 |
$22 – $30/hr |
$44,000 – $60,000 |
+$4,000 – $9,000 |
Higher skills mean higher pay and more billable OT opportunities |
| Year 4 (Final Apprentice – Near Journeyman) |
$26 – $36/hr |
$52,000 – $72,000 |
+$5,000 – $12,000 |
Often near full journeyman rates on many jobs; OT can push earnings significantly |
| Journeyman (Post-Apprenticeship) |
$35 – $55+/hr |
$70,000 – $110,000+ |
+$8,000 – $20,000+ |
Full journey worker; overtime, specialty pay, and certifications raise totals |
Visual: Apprentice-to-Journeyman Earnings Progression
The chart below shows how annual base pay typically grows from Year 1 apprentice to full journeyman status, using the midpoints of the ranges in the wage schedule above.
How Overtime Affects Annual Earnings
Overtime often makes a big difference in a trade worker’s annual income. Apprentices who choose (or are offered) extra hours can see meaningful boosts to their take-home pay. Below are broad examples:
- No OT scenario: Base wage only
- Moderate OT: 5–8 hours/week at time-and-a-half adds roughly $2,000 – $7,000/year
- Heavy OT: 10+ hours/week adds $8,000 – $15,000+/year
Example: A Year 4 apprentice at $30/hr who works 8 hours/week of OT can add ~ $7,000+ annually, pushing total earnings well into the $60,000 + range.
State & Regional Wage Adjustments
Apprenticeship pay scales vary by cost of living and regional labor supply/demand. Below are broad patterns you’ll see in strong trades markets:
| Region |
Typical Adjustment |
Drivers |
| High Cost / High Demand (e.g., CA, NY, WA) |
+10 % – +30 % vs national average |
Strong construction activity, unions, high living costs |
| Mid-Cost Growth States (TX, FL, CO, NC) |
~National average ±5 % |
Population growth, infrastructure spending |
| Lower Cost / Rural (ND, SD, WV, rural Midwest) |
−5 % – −15 % vs national average |
Smaller labor markets, lower regional pay scales |
Example interpretation:
- A Year 2 apprentice with a base of $20/hr might see $22–$26/hr in high-demand states.
- A Year 3 apprentice at $28/hr nationally might earn $24–$25/hr in lower-cost areas without strong demand.
Breakdown by Trade (Representative Examples)
Different trades have slightly different apprenticeship wage progression curves. Here are typical patterns you’ll see in common trades:
| Trade |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Journeyman |
| Electrician |
$18 – $22/hr |
$22 – $28/hr |
$26 – $32/hr |
$30 – $38/hr |
$45 – $60+/hr |
| HVAC Technician |
$16 – $20/hr |
$20 – $25/hr |
$24 – $30/hr |
$28 – $35/hr |
$40 – $55+/hr |
| Plumber |
$17 – $21/hr |
$21 – $27/hr |
$25 – $31/hr |
$29 – $36/hr |
$45 – $60+/hr |
| Welding |
$15 – $19/hr |
$19 – $24/hr |
$23 – $29/hr |
$27 – $34/hr |
$38 – $52+/hr |
| Industrial Maintenance |
$17 – $22/hr |
$22 – $27/hr |
$26 – $33/hr |
$30 – $38/hr |
$42 – $58+/hr |
Visual: Earnings Progression by Trade
This chart compares how average hourly wages typically progress from Year 1 apprentice to journeyman for three in-demand trades: electricians, HVAC technicians, and plumbers.
Key Takeaways
- Apprentices earn real wages from Day 1 — no years of unpaid schooling.
- Year-to-year raises are real and built into most trade apprenticeship wage scales.
- Overtime matters — it can add thousands to annual earnings once the apprentice is competent and trusted on the jobsite.
- Regional pay differences reflect cost of living and demand — high-growth states tend to pay more.
- Journeyman pay is a big jump — most trades see a significant wage bump once apprenticeship is complete.
If you’re comparing career paths, a realistic view of apprenticeship earnings shows how quickly you can start earning — often years before a typical college graduate — while building toward high journeyman wages.
To see how these ranges look for specific trades and states, explore:
Data Sources & Methodology
The wage ranges in this guide are directional estimates based on common apprenticeship wage schedules for trades like electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, welders, and industrial maintenance workers. They combine typical percentage-of-journeyman scales, public apprenticeship wage examples, and industry pay benchmarks from stronger trades markets. Actual earnings vary by union vs non-union status, state, employer, and overtime opportunities, so these numbers should be viewed as realistic ranges—not exact guarantees.
