IBEW Local 553 — Raleigh-Durham, NC: Application Dates & Pay
Everything you need to get into IBEW Local 553: 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 Raleigh-Durham Electrical Training Institute (Raleigh-Durham Electrical JATC).
Official application page ↗Status last verified August 6, 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 553 opens
Windows at competitive locals can cap out in days. We watch Raleigh-Durham’s application status and email you the moment it opens — so you apply on day one, not day last.
IBEW Local 553 pay scale
The journeyman inside wireman rate is $31.07/hr (2025 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $45.71/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 45% | $13.98 |
| Period 2 | 50% | $15.54 |
| Period 3 | 55% | $17.09 |
| Period 4 | 65% | $20.20 |
| Period 5 | 75% | $23.30 |
| Period 6 | 85% | $26.41 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $31.07 |
Local 553 doesn't publish its apprentice percentage steps — the table shows typical IBEW steps applied to the local's journeyman rate. Rates move with each collective bargaining agreement; confirm current figures with the local before relying on them.
What to know before you apply
Online application accepted year-round; no fee mentioned. State-registered 4-year program (900 curriculum hours + 8,000 OJT hours); classes held at Durham Technical Community College. Completed applications are referred to a sub-committee for interview and ranking. Requirements include HS diploma/GED and legal work authorization. Contact: 919-596-6931, office@raldurjatc.org.
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 553 in Raleigh-Durham accept apprenticeship applications?
As of August 6, 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 553 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 553 is $31.07/hr (2025 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $45.71/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 45% and stepping up each period.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 553?
Applications go through Raleigh-Durham Electrical Training Institute (Raleigh-Durham Electrical 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 553 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 Raleigh-Durham
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.