Learn while you earn. No degree, no debt.
The on-ramp into every trade in this network — paid training, real mentors, and a career at the end instead of a loan payment. This guide breaks down real pay by experience level and what actually moves the number.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship pay isn't a single number — it's a schedule. U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship programs are built around structured wage progression: you typically start around 50% of full journeyman pay and receive scheduled raises every 6–12 months as you complete required hours and coursework, reaching 100% of journeyman wage at completion.
Entry ($16–20/hr) is where every apprentice starts, regardless of trade — learning tools, safety, and the basics under a journeyman or master.
Mid-program (Pay rises every 6–12 months as you advance) is the defining feature of an apprenticeship: your pay climbs on a fixed schedule as you hit milestones, not just as time passes.
Completion (Full journeyman pay at completion) is the payoff — you exit the program at full journeyman wage in your trade, with zero student debt and multiple years of paid, hands-on experience already on your resume.
U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship programs typically start apprentices around half of full journeyman wage, with scheduled raises as required hours and coursework are completed.
Starting pay varies by trade — linework and industrial apprenticeships tend to start higher than residential-focused trades.
Union-sponsored apprenticeships (IBEW, UA, and others) generally follow a fixed, published wage scale with guaranteed raises every 6–12 months.
Programs run 2–5 years depending on the trade — hitting your hours and passing required exams is what unlocks each raise, not just time served.
“Year one you're learning the basics. Year three you're the one showing the new apprentice how it's done.”
— A day in the life, Apprenticeships
Two-way street. Workers get matched to real openings. Employers get first look at qualified apprenticeships talent before we go public with the board.
Jobs In Apprenticeships is one of 13 trade-specific sites in the Careers In Trades network.