Electrician at (Pitts) Electricians Local 5 JATC
at (Pitts) Electricians Local 5 JATC in Pittsburgh, PA
About This Program
Pittsburgh Electricians Local 5 JATC sponsors a registered electrician apprenticeship program in Pittsburgh, PA. As one of the region's prominent union JATC programs affiliated with the IBEW, Local 5 has a long history of training skilled electricians for commercial and industrial work throughout western Pennsylvania. Apprentices are paid from the very start and receive wage increases as they advance through each year of the five-year program.
The apprenticeship combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on job sites throughout the Pittsburgh area, building hands-on skills in electrical system installation, conduit bending and running, panel work, wire termination, and troubleshooting. Classroom instruction covers the National Electrical Code, electrical theory, safety standards, and technical drawing interpretation.
Graduates earn journeyman inside wireman status and IBEW Local 5 membership upon completing the program. Pittsburgh's diverse economy — spanning healthcare, technology, education, and ongoing construction — generates strong and consistent demand for licensed journeyman electricians, making this program a proven pathway to a stable and well-paying trade career.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$30
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
5 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Electrician Career Outlook
National Median
$29.61/hr
~$61,588.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$15/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Electrician employment is projected to grow significantly, driven by construction activity, renewable energy expansion, and EV infrastructure buildout. The increasing electrification of buildings and transportation systems creates strong long-term demand. Licensed electricians with experience in solar, battery storage, or industrial controls are especially sought after.
What to Expect as an Electrician Apprentice
Duration
5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~115 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Electrician
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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