IBEW Local 697 — Merrillville, IN: Application Dates & Pay
Everything you need to get into IBEW Local 697: 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 Lake County Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 697 Electrical Training Center).
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 697 opens
Windows at competitive locals can cap out in days. We watch Merrillville’s application status and email you the moment it opens — so you apply on day one, not day last.
IBEW Local 697 pay scale
The journeyman inside wireman rate is $55.80/hr (2026 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $88.11/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 45% | $25.11 |
| Period 2 | 50% | $27.90 |
| Period 3 | 55% | $30.69 |
| Period 4 | 65% | $36.27 |
| Period 5 | 75% | $41.85 |
| Period 6 | 85% | $47.43 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $55.80 |
Local 697 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 (account-based) with no published window restriction; applicants have 28 days from start to complete; $40.00 non-refundable fee. Requirements: 18+, HS diploma/GED, official transcript with C or better in two semesters of HS-level algebra (or SkillsPrep Tech Math certificate), valid driver's license. Aptitude test (algebra + reading, 0-9 scale) requires minimum score of 6 to qualify for interview - higher bar than most locals; ranked list valid up to 2 years. 5-year Inside Wireman program. Office: 7200 Mississippi St Suite 200, Merrillville IN 46410, (219) 845-3454. Continuous model inferred from absence of any stated window on the official applications page.
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 697 in Merrillville 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 697 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 697 is $55.80/hr (2026 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $88.11/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 45% and stepping up each period.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 697?
Applications go through Lake County Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 697 Electrical Training Center). 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 697 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 Merrillville
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.