IBEW Local 309 — Wage Comparison | What Are You Actually Worth?

Your Current Situation

Your Hourly Wage

Hours Per Week

Employer Pays Health Ins.?

Your Monthly Premium Cost ($)

Employer Pays Monthly ($)

Do You Have a 401k?

Union Classification to Compare

Not sure which level fits you? Pick the one closest to your experience.

📊 Your Side-by-Side Comparison

Your Current Pay

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per hour, total value

IBEW Local 309

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per hour, total package

Hourly Compensation Breakdown

Component

Non-Union

IBEW 309

Base Wage

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Health Insurance (H&W)

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HRA Contribution (JW only)

$0.00

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Health Premium (Your Cost)

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$0.00

401k / Pension Value

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NEBF (National Pension)

$0.00

—

Income Security Fund (JW)

$0.00

—

Vacation Fund — 7% held for you (JW)

$0.00

—

Union/Intl Dues (Deducted)

$0.00

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Total Package Value

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📅 Annual Projection (Based on Your Hours)

Annual Take-Home Wages

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Annual Benefits Value

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Annual HRA Contribution (JW)

$0.00

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Annual Local 309 Pension

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Annual NEBF (National Pension)

$0.00

—

Vacation Fund Saved — Yours (JW)

$0.00

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Annual Income Security (JW)

$0.00

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💰 Total Annual Value

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Annual Dues Paid

$0.00

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📈 Annual Difference

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💸 What You're Leaving on the Table

Cumulative gap at your current hours — if nothing changes

5 Years

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10 Years

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20 Years

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Ready to make the switch?

(618) 345-5112 ext. 208

IBEW Local 309 · 2000A Mall St, Collinsville, IL

* Comparison uses Local 309 2026 CW/CE rates and Inside Wireman rates effective Aug. 31, 2026.
Total package includes base wage, health & welfare, pension, NEBF, and vacation (JW only). Working dues (2% CW/CE, 3.5% JW) and international dues ($141/quarter) are deducted from union side.
Individual results may vary. This tool is for informational purposes only.

Are You Getting
What You're Worth?

Non-union electrical workers leave thousands of dollars on the table every year — in wages, healthcare, and retirement. IBEW Local 309 members get the full package, backed by a signed contract.

Journeyman
Wireman
Rates

Base Hourly Wage $54.95 / hr Effective Aug. 31, 2026

Total Package Value $86.21 / hr Wage + all employer benefits

Plus $4.00/hr raises locked in for 2027 & 2028 — guaranteed in writing.

Benefits continue to grow every contract year.

How the $86.21/hr Package Breaks Down

$54.95

Base Wage

$9.85

Health & Welfare + HRA

$15.14

Local 309 Pension

$1.65

NEBF (Nat'l Pension)

$3.59

Income Security

$3.85

Vacation Fund (7%)

-$2.19

Dues Deducted

3.5% wages + $141/qtr intl

$86.21

Total Package / hr

🏥

Health Insurance

Full family medical coverage
Dental & vision included
Employer-funded — you keep more pay
Coverage even between jobs

🏦

Pension & Retirement

Defined-benefit Local 309 pension
National NEBF pension (3%)
401(k) plan available
Portable across IBEW locals

📋

Job Conditions

40-hr work week, OT at 1.5x
Sundays & holidays at 2x pay
Guaranteed paid reporting time
Grievance process — you have rights

🎓

Free Training

JATC apprenticeship — earn while you learn
OSHA 30-hour certification covered
Skill improvement classes year-round
College credit upon graduation

🏖️

Paid Vacation

7% of gross wages into vacation fund
Accrues every hour you work
Yours to use when you need it
Deducted and held on your behalf

🛡️

Safety & Security

Employers carry Workers' Comp
Layoff & income security fund
Tool replacement up to $600
OSHA safety standards enforced

⚡ IBEW Local 309 — The Full Picture

Inside Wireman Agreement

🏥 Health & Welfare

Employer contributes 17.92% of your gross wages to the H&W Fund
Local 309 Electrical Health & Welfare Fund — established 1952
Coverage for medical, dental, and vision for you and your family
Benefits continue between job assignments
Biennial physical exam covered through the fund

This is employer-paid coverage. Most non-union workers pay hundreds out-of-pocket every month.

🏦 Pension & Retirement

Local 309 Pension: employer contributes 27.56% of gross wages — every hour
National NEBF: additional 3% of gross wages, national portability
401(k) plan with pre-tax deduction
Defined-benefit pension — a guaranteed monthly check in retirement
Both pensions are portable across IBEW jurisdictions nationwide

Non-union workers often get nothing. IBEW members retire with multiple income streams.

💰 Wages & Overtime

Journeyman base: $54.95/hr (Aug. 2026) — $4/hr raises in '27 & '28
All overtime (Mon–Sat outside regular hours) at 1.5x
All Sundays and holidays at 2x straight time
Shift differentials: +10% swing shift, +15% graveyard shift
High work pay premiums for towers & elevated hazard work
7% vacation fund deducted and accrued every hour worked

📋 Your Rights on the Job

Minimum 2-hour pay guarantee when you report for work
1-hour notice required before any layoff — pay in full at layoff
Written grievance process — disputes handled fairly
Steward on every job site to represent you
Employer required to carry Workers' Comp — always
Income Security Fund (SUB) — helps bridge gaps between jobs

🎓 Apprenticeship Pay Progression — Earn While You Learn (4-Year Program)

50%

0–1,600 Hrs
$27.48

›

55%

1,601–3,200 Hrs
$30.22

›

60%

3,201–4,800 Hrs
$32.97

›

80%

4,801–6,400 Hrs
$43.96

›

90%

6,401–8,000 Hrs
$49.46

›

100%

Journeyman
$54.95

Health & Welfare and NEBF benefits included from Day 1 of apprenticeship. All training through the JATC is FREE. OSHA-30 certification provided. College credit eligible upon graduation.

What Are YouActually Worth?

Your Current Situation

📊 Your Side-by-Side Comparison

📅 Annual Projection (Based on Your Hours)

Are You GettingWhat You're Worth?

Health Insurance

Pension & Retirement

Job Conditions

Free Training

Paid Vacation

Safety & Security

⚡ IBEW Local 309 — The Full Picture

🏥 Health & Welfare

🏦 Pension & Retirement

💰 Wages & Overtime

📋 Your Rights on the Job

🎓 Apprenticeship Pay Progression — Earn While You Learn (4-Year Program)

What Are You
Actually Worth?

Are You Getting
What You're Worth?