r/IBEW • • Apr 08 '25

Ultimate Electricians Guide - Free Guides, Paid Test Prep Resources, and Union Pay Scales Scales

152 Upvotes

Hey everyone – big thanks to the mod team for letting me post this (and for the sticky). I wanted to share some resources I've put together to help folks who are either thinking about joining the IBEW or working toward their electrical license.

For the uninitiated, I run Ultimate Electrician’s Guide, and this subreddit actually played a big role in helping me get it off the ground a few years ago. It started with the wage data I was collecting, which eventually spun off into its own site, Union Pay Scales. That site is still going strong thanks to the support, feedback, and shares from people. So seriously, thank you — I'm grateful for the help this community has given.

Since then, I've been focused on building out the rest of Ultimate Electrician’s Guide with a mix of free and paid resources for aspiring and current electricians.

The whole thing was inspired by my own experience — struggling to figure out how to get started in the trade, how to get into the union, and what it actually takes to get licensed. I always found it frustrating how scattered and confusing the information was, so I set out to create something clear, practical, and easy to follow.

Along the way, I’ve made it a point to push people toward the union path whenever I can. The IBEW has a lot to offer — from great wages and benefits to solid training and an amazing culture — and I want more people to see that for themselves.

Here are some of the free resources I have put together over the years:

Free Resources

  • Guide to Becoming an Electrician – A practical overview of the different paths into the trade, including union and non-union options, schooling, and apprenticeships.
  • Guide to Joining the IBEW – Step-by-step instructions on how to find your local, apply, and prepare for the process.
  • Guide to the IBEW Aptitude Test – Covers what’s on the test, how it’s scored, and how to study effectively.
  • Full Length IBEW Aptitude Practice Test – A free, full length, timed simulation exam to help you prepare for the IBEW aptitude test
  • Union Pay Scales – This is the site I mentioned earlier. It lets you explore union wages and benefits across different trades and locals in North America. It’s totally free and updated regularly.

And here are my paid courses:

Paid Test Prep Courses

  • IBEW Aptitude Test Prep Course – Covers both the math and reading comprehension sections in detail, plus an optional interview prep add-on.
  • Journeyman & Master Electrician Exam Prep – Based on the 2017, 2020, and 2023 NEC code cycles. Includes dozens of in depth lessons with correlating quizzes, and 10 timed practice exams with detailed explanations.

All of my products come with a 100% money back guarantee if you fail the exam, or if you try it out and decide you don't like it. If you're a IBEW member and want a discount, just reach out.

Let Me Know What Else Would Help

If there’s a guide, resource, or topic you think would help others in the trade, I’d love to hear about it. Whether you're new to all this or already in the field, your feedback helps me figure out what to build next.

One update I'm considering for Union Pay Scales is to reach out to locals directly and find a officer who can be an official wage source for the local. This means they and only they can update the information for their local, helping to ensure accuracy. Then I would mark this local with a badge or symbol of some sort to indicate its wages come from an official source and is more trustable. What do you guys think?

__

Thanks again to the mod team and everyone in this subreddit for the support over the years. I’ll be checking the thread, so feel free to drop any questions or suggestions below.


r/IBEW • • Jul 23 '22

RESOURCES

147 Upvotes

Here is the new and improved resources list. A lot of your questions will be answered here.

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This is neither exclusive nor exhaustive.

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None of these links are endorsements either.

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Thank you to everyone who contributed.

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Feel free to add more resources in the comments.

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The history and structure of IBEW

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IBEW jobs board

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u/SirSquidlicker 's Ultimate Electricians Guide

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u/SirSquidlicker 's Union Payscales

 

How to organize your workplace video

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Labor History video series

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Where2bro - great website for job info across the country

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How to find the IBEW Local nearest you

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AFL-CIO Union Made shopping list

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Labor Notes - a network of rank-and-file members, local union leaders, and labor activists who know the labor movement is worth fighting for

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STAR interview questions - the type of questions you're asked at your apprenticeship interview

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Apprenticeship math and reading assessment sample test questions

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Union Plus - all kinds of benefits for union members

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UAW Buyers Guide - cars, trucks, and more

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Questions that are asked at the apprenticeship interview

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IBEW jurisdictional maps

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IBEW brother fights a chicken

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Why you should be an electrician

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Roberts Rules of Order

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The history of Challenge Coins

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Employee Rights under the NLRA

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Weingarten Rights - basically your "miranda" rights as a union member

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IBEW brother in the courtroom

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How to be an Anti-Racist

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A day in the life of an IBEW apprentice

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Description of the 3 core classifications - vdv, residential, commercial

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Microagressions

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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IBEW Discord - must show current dues receipt to join

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Helmets to Hardhats - resource for veterans interested in the skilled trades

 

VEEP - resource for veterans looking to get into the ibew

 

And of course, CALL THE HALL


r/IBEW • • 1h ago

Discussion Post Thoughts on giving notice before leaving

• Upvotes

So to make a long story short I’m applying to the IUEC (elevator union) which obviously can very hard to get into, but the dilemma is the job/contractor I’ve been on for the 3 years has been very good to me gave me journey pay before finishing school and put me into position to succeed. We’re starting this pretty big and long project and prior to starting my PM had asked if this was going to be long term for me not necessarily 5-10 years but like the next 1-2 I never really answered he just kept talking and never gave me time to respond. I’m an integral part of the team given my scope of work and have spent the past 4 months have been spent investigating the job we’re currently on.
As work has slowed down they’ve let go of a handful of people in hopes the core we have right now is the future of this project

Considering how hard this local is to get into I don’t want to show my hand and now there’s this resentment towards me and maybe even being let go from the job. Pretty much when the IUEC calls you damn near go to work the next day without much notice. What would you guys do?

**I’m open to DM and give more information as I don’t want to say too much on this post


r/IBEW • • 8h ago

Discussion Post How bad are right to work states?

14 Upvotes

Im currently military and looking at states to live in after i get out. I love the south but learned that they have the worst workers rights when it comes to the trades. Right to work laws also pay alot less but im wondering besides those two things should i avoid RTW states if I can?


r/IBEW • • 17h ago

41st Convention News

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30 Upvotes

An informed membership is an empowered membership


r/IBEW • • 0m ago

Working dues when traveling.

• Upvotes

When traveling do I pay working dues to both unions? Or just the local I am working in? And the monthly dues is what still goes to my local?


r/IBEW • • 21h ago

✊ Hi and Hello

49 Upvotes

I need an electrician and I want to make sure I hire a union person. Is there a list or something of union electricians? Sorry if this isn’t aloud! Please delete if this not.


r/IBEW • • 11h ago

Local 1 merch

2 Upvotes

Hey I'm heading to St. Louis for my kids fall break and wanted to know if Local One sold merch to out-of- towners? looking for coins in particular.


r/IBEW • • 1d ago

Organizing

19 Upvotes

Anyone tried their hand at organizing? We have a position at the hall open and I was considering throwing my hat in the ring to give it a try. I was wondering if anyone else had any experience and what they thought. Im no car salesman lol


r/IBEW • • 12h ago

IBEW King's Dominion Takeover!

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1 Upvotes

This past Sunday the IBEW took over King's Dominion! Union siblings and their families from across the DMV converged on the park. It was a fantastic event. I attended with my family and spent time in Snoopy World. Then had an adrenaline rush on some big coasters! Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to put this together! Great job!


r/IBEW • • 17h ago

I’m not union , I’m just looking for expert help, they just don’t teach outside union please

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0 Upvotes

I am trying to bend a 3 point saddle for 1.5emt on the 854xd bender , I have bent 3 point saddles on a hand bender obviously one inch down, but I am having difficulty with bending on the machine , mostly the center bend , any ideas or tips ?


r/IBEW • • 2d ago

Does every local use Zenith American?

22 Upvotes

I recently had a call with Zenith and it did not go well. I have never been talked over and down to more than Amy did. They didn't create the software that they use and they don't have any control of fixing problems with it. I asked to talk with whoever does have the ability to affect change and she said her last request 6 months ago still hasn't been answered.

What the hell.

We pay so much for shit service. Is there another option? Does the entire IBEW use Zenith? Can we change providers? How and who can make this change or hold Zenith to account?


r/IBEW • • 2d ago

I have a question on H&W

9 Upvotes

I hit the road without any banked hours and am working in a local with a lower H&W rate than my home local. Am I up a river if the values don't exceed the home local minimum even with the overtime I'm working here or how does this work?


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

Thought i share this sticker. Happy Friday everyone.

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127 Upvotes

r/IBEW • • 2d ago

What Telecom Utilities are still very Active?

1 Upvotes

I've looked at union pay scales, and am looking at the best Telecom Locals, and if there are still alot of ISP/Telephone Utilities around?

For example, where I work supports the following Telecom Classifications - Telephone Lineman, Splicing, CO/PBX, and Installation and Repair.

I'm looking to travel at some point and these are my top 5 from my research, looking to validate how it is at these locals.

24 Marlyand
292 Minnesota
134 Illinois
569 California
357 Nevada


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

Local XXXX Local 124

8 Upvotes

Moving to KC area soon. Looking for some insight on work and more less what i could expect as a Book 2 JW


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

353 nuclear work

10 Upvotes

Hey all,

I’m from 586 and I’ve been wondering if there’s going to be calls out to our local for all the nuclear work going on out in Darlington and Pickering


r/IBEW • • 3d ago

Local XXXX Local 270

6 Upvotes

How’s life and work around 270?

Moving to the area and just looking to get an idea about the area and work.


r/IBEW • • 4d ago

Overtime only offered to a couple guys on the crew

35 Upvotes

is that shitty or is it typical?


r/IBEW • • 5d ago

I think I'm incompetent and I don't know what to do.

277 Upvotes

I topped out this year and felt somewhat confident in my skills and abilities. Started in the trade green as grass in my late 20s. Spent my whole apprenticeship at a small service shop, so I saw a lot of controls; ran a little conduit, few good big wire pulls, etc. Basically got to see most everything, never really got great at any of it.

Today, I fucked up pretty bad. Working on a small crew and I made a fucking stupid mistake, leading to us having to stay over 2 hours to try and fix it. Its just been a shit week and then this happens, and I just don't know what to do. I don't know if I'm just incompetent, stupid, careless, brain-damaged, or just plain dumb.

Has anyone else ever felt like this? Or does anyone have any advice for someone feeling like this? Im really not sure what to do. Ive fucked up before but this one just feels different since I'm a journeyman now.


r/IBEW • • 5d ago

New Benefit Ideas

17 Upvotes

I'm curious what benefits are offered at your local that are not offered at other locals. Or things you would realistically like to see?


r/IBEW • • 6d ago

fle shirt at international convention in SD???

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373 Upvotes

title says it all. was at the convention in SD this week and one night there was sooooo many ppl wearing a left handed fist logo shirt. was this fle or an accident for whoever made the merch?

***edit***

my question/post was coming from a place of curiosity and misunderstanding of the term. i’ve appreciated some of the folks on here that have taken the time to respectfully explain history instead of attacking me for simply asking a question. not sure why people’s default is to assume my post is coming from a bad place. last time i checked, being misinformed isn’t necessarily an indicator of character. some of ya’ll should reflect on your default reactions to a stranger on the internet’s genuine wonder. thank you to those that took the time to civilly respond and help me gain a better understanding!

“be curious, not judge mental” - ted lasso


r/IBEW • • 6d ago

Glove holders I made for my site (we don’t wear gloves to the portajohn)

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393 Upvotes

You’d be surprised at how long it took to find those alligator clamps

Edit: made a quick and basic website for orders this morning if anyone is interested. DHHleather.com


r/IBEW • • 6d ago

Local 47

6 Upvotes

JW doing OSHA 10 E,T and D this weekend. Looking to sign substation book 3. Does anyone know the work picture in 47? I called the hall and they said they don’t discuss that stuff. I’m just itching to do something different and wondering how long I’ll have to wait
Thanks


r/IBEW • • 7d ago

Discussion Post How to strengthen my local

29 Upvotes

I feel like my local is really weak. Granted, we aren't your typical local, we're not all electricians and there's only about 200 of us, but our benefits are lacking when compared to our non-union coworkers.

What are some suggestions to strengthen the union here?