IBEW Local 163 — Wilkes-Barre, PA: Application Dates & Pay
Everything you need to get into IBEW Local 163: whether applications are open right now, what the apprenticeship pays, how the process works, and a free alert the moment the next window opens.
Application status
Always acceptingApplications are accepted year-round.
Applications are handled by Wilkes-Barre Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 163 JATC).
Official application page ↗Status last verified August 21, 2026. Source: official JATC/local site. Windows can change on short notice — always confirm details with the JATC before making plans.
Get alerted when Local 163 opens
Windows at competitive locals can cap out in days. We watch Wilkes-Barre’s application status and email you the moment it opens — so you apply on day one, not day last.
IBEW Local 163 pay scale
The journeyman inside wireman rate is $47.79/hr (2026 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $74.11/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 40% | $19.12 |
| Period 2 | 47% | $22.46 |
| Period 3 | 50% | $23.89 |
| Period 4 | 60% | $28.67 |
| Period 5 | 69% | $32.98 |
| Period 6 | 76% | $36.32 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $47.79 |
Rates move with each collective bargaining agreement; confirm current figures with the local before relying on them.
What to know before you apply
Applications accepted year-round via a TradeSchool online account; official sealed transcripts (HS/college/GED) mailed or delivered to the JATC at 414 W. Church St, Nanticoke PA 18634. Requirements: 17 at application (18 to start), diploma/GED, one full year of algebra passed, valid driver's license, residency in Local 163 jurisdiction. Aptitude test held monthly (approx. 3 hrs, algebra + reading; score 4+ to interview); 10-20 minute panel interview; ranking list good for up to 1 year with selections possible any time based on workload. 5-year program, classes twice weekly in Nanticoke. (570) 258-2665.
Be ready before the window opens
The applicants who get in prepped early. 500+ NJATC-format practice questions, timed tests, and an AI mock interview — free to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does IBEW Local 163 in Wilkes-Barre accept apprenticeship applications?
As of August 21, 2026: Applications are accepted year-round. Application schedules are set by the JATC and can change on short notice — always confirm on the JATC's own site before making plans.
How much does IBEW Local 163 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 163 is $47.79/hr (2026 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $74.11/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 40% and stepping up each period.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 163?
Applications go through Wilkes-Barre Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 163 JATC). The usual process: submit the application with your HS diploma or GED, transcripts showing algebra, and ID; take the aptitude test; then complete a scored interview that sets your rank on the eligibility list.
What test does IBEW Local 163 use?
Most IBEW inside-wireman programs use the Electrical Training Alliance aptitude test (algebra & functions plus reading comprehension); a growing number use the broader GAN battery. Either way, your test score plus interview decide your ranking — prep before the window opens.
Related Resources
More IBEW locals near Wilkes-Barre
Michael Briglio
IBEW Local 134 Journeyman · Licensed Contractor · IL Educator
Michael started in the IBEW at 18 and made foreman as a 3rd-year apprentice. Thirteen years in, he’s a Local 134 journeyman, a licensed electrical contractor, a licensed Illinois teacher, and OSHA 30 and EPA 608 certified. He teaches a federally recognized pre-apprenticeship on the south side of Chicago — where he’s helped 100+ students get into the IBEW. He built Sparky AI around exactly what the NJATC exam tests and what trips people up. Prep with this and you walk in ready.
Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.