IBEW Local 242 — Duluth, MN: Application Dates & Pay
Everything you need to get into IBEW Local 242: 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.
Aptitude test held once yearly, typically the last Monday in February (next expected 2027-02-22); apply by the last Friday in December 2026 to qualify
Applications are handled by Twin Ports Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 242 / Twin Ports Arrowhead NECA).
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 242 opens
Windows at competitive locals can cap out in days. We watch Duluth’s application status and email you the moment it opens — so you apply on day one, not day last.
IBEW Local 242 pay scale
The journeyman inside wireman rate is $47.46/hr (2025 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $80.79/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 45% | $21.36 |
| Period 2 | 50% | $23.73 |
| Period 3 | 55% | $26.10 |
| Period 4 | 65% | $30.85 |
| Period 5 | 75% | $35.59 |
| Period 6 | 85% | $40.34 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $47.46 |
Rates move with each collective bargaining agreement; confirm current figures with the local before relying on them.
What to know before you apply
Apply online anytime via the TradeSchool portal (ibew242-neca.org > Start Your Career > How to Apply). Fee $25 in person / $26.50 online; supporting documents (driver's license, birth certificate, transcripts, color-blindness test results) due within 30 days of application. Requirements: 17+, HS diploma/GED/associate+, 1 year HS algebra or tech math with passing grade, score 4+ on the NJATC aptitude test (administered once yearly, last Monday in February; December application cutoff). 5-year inside program; apprentices start at 45% of the $47.46 JW rate. JATC office: 2230 London Road, Suite 200, Duluth, MN 55812, 218-722-8115, Dul_irjatc@twinportsneca.com.
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 242 in Duluth 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 242 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 242 is $47.46/hr (2025 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $80.79/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 45% and stepping up each period.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 242?
Applications go through Twin Ports Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 242 / Twin Ports Arrowhead NECA). 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 242 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 Duluth
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.