IBEW Local 659 — Medford, OR: Application Dates & Pay
Everything you need to get into IBEW Local 659: 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
ClosedApplications are closed right now — jATC states 'we anticipate opening back up in the summer' (no year given; still posted as of 2026-08-21) — sign up for the reopening-notification Google Form on the applicant page. Applicants with documented prior electrical experience through a registered apprenticeship may still apply now..
Applications are handled by Crater Lake Electrical Training Center (Crater Lake Electrical 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 659 opens
Windows at competitive locals can cap out in days. We watch Medford’s application status and email you the moment it opens — so you apply on day one, not day last.
IBEW Local 659 pay scale
The journeyman inside wireman rate is $45.58/hr (2025 contract data). Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 45% | $20.51 |
| Period 2 | 50% | $22.79 |
| Period 3 | 55% | $25.07 |
| Period 4 | 60% | $27.35 |
| Period 5 | 65% | $29.63 |
| Period 6 | 70% | $31.91 |
| Period 7 | 75% | $34.19 |
| Period 8 | 80% | $36.46 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $45.58 |
Rates move with each collective bargaining agreement; confirm current figures with the local before relying on them.
What to know before you apply
Normally accepts applications year-round (most apprentices start in summer, some fall–spring), but intake is paused 'due to an overwhelming amount of highly ranked applicants' (verified 2026-08-21). Requirements: 18+, HS diploma (2.0+ GPA) or GED, 1 yr Algebra 2+ with C or better; NCRC (ACT WorkKeys) scores of 6 Applied Math, 6 Workplace Documents, 4 Graphic Literacy; application must be returned within 45 days; ranked JATC interview (IBEW/NECA panel, 10–20 min). Tuition ~$1,000/yr plus $500–$850/yr books. Contact: Lance Corley, (541) 773-5888, 4864 Airway Drive, Central Point, OR 97502. Inside jurisdiction covers Medford/Ashland, Grants Pass, Roseburg, Klamath Falls.
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 659 in Medford accept apprenticeship applications?
As of August 21, 2026: Applications are closed right now — jATC states 'we anticipate opening back up in the summer' (no year given; still posted as of 2026-08-21) — sign up for the reopening-notification Google Form on the applicant page. Applicants with documented prior electrical experience through a registered apprenticeship may still apply now.. 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 659 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 659 is $45.58/hr (2025 contract data). Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 45% and stepping up each period.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 659?
Applications go through Crater Lake Electrical Training Center (Crater Lake 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 659 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 Medford
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.