Evidence-Based Comparison
The IBEW Difference
Electrical workers under Carpenters jurisdiction face real, documented shortfalls in wages, retirement, and representation. Here's the full picture.
Full Comparison: IBEW vs. Carpenters
Total Hourly Package
IBEW ✓
$88.23/hr (single JW rate, all members)
Carpenters
A Card: $71.66/hr B Card: $64.54/hr (typical) C Card: $58.94/hr
Annual Total Package (1,800 hrs)
IBEW ✓
$158,814 total package
Carpenters
A Card: $128,988 B Card: $116,172 (typical) C Card: $106,092
Annual Advantage
IBEW ✓
+$29,826 – $52,722 more
Carpenters
—
Pension (35-yr member)
IBEW ✓
Primary DC plan: $5,830/mo (4% safe-withdrawal rate) — spouse inherits full $1.5M–$2M+ balance intact + NEBF (DB): ~$1,225/mo for life · 75% spousal option + IBEW Pension Fund (DB): ~$175/mo for life · 50% spousal Full breakdown at /pension
Carpenters
Grandfathered: ~$3,885/mo COLA-default (3%/yr) OR ~$4,988/mo Level flat New Entrant: $3,850/mo single-life · no COLA · no Rule of 90 Death benefit capped ~$50K–$70K pre-retirement, $0 after MACRC merger 10/1/2026: NRA → 65
Healthcare
IBEW ✓
Family 90/10 · retiree coverage after 17.5 yrs
Carpenters
80/20 · working spouse must use own employer plan (Carpenters secondary) · caps at 143 hrs/mo
Power Tools
IBEW ✓
Contractor-supplied (negotiated) · members supply hand tools only
Carpenters
Member pays out of paycheck
Apprenticeship
IBEW ✓
JATC 5-year electrical program
Carpenters
General carpentry, limited electrical
Prevailing Wage
IBEW ✓
Actively enforced
Carpenters
Documented failure (Vande East audit)
Past-Service Credit
IBEW ✓
Up to 5 credits when contractor signs with IBEW
Carpenters
N/A
Working Assessment (Dues)
IBEW ✓
3% of gross wages
Carpenters
4% of gross wages — you pay more for less
| Category | IBEW | Carpenters |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hourly Package | $88.23/hr (single JW rate, all members) | A Card: $71.66/hr B Card: $64.54/hr (typical) C Card: $58.94/hr |
| Annual Total Package (1,800 hrs) | $158,814 total package | A Card: $128,988 B Card: $116,172 (typical) C Card: $106,092 |
| Annual Advantage | +$29,826 – $52,722 more | — |
| Pension (35-yr member) | Primary DC plan: $5,830/mo (4% safe-withdrawal rate) — spouse inherits full $1.5M–$2M+ balance intact + NEBF (DB): ~$1,225/mo for life · 75% spousal option + IBEW Pension Fund (DB): ~$175/mo for life · 50% spousal Full breakdown at /pension | Grandfathered: ~$3,885/mo COLA-default (3%/yr) OR ~$4,988/mo Level flat New Entrant: $3,850/mo single-life · no COLA · no Rule of 90 Death benefit capped ~$50K–$70K pre-retirement, $0 after MACRC merger 10/1/2026: NRA → 65 |
| Healthcare | Family 90/10 · retiree coverage after 17.5 yrs | 80/20 · working spouse must use own employer plan (Carpenters secondary) · caps at 143 hrs/mo |
| Power Tools | Contractor-supplied (negotiated) · members supply hand tools only | Member pays out of paycheck |
| Apprenticeship | JATC 5-year electrical program | General carpentry, limited electrical |
| Prevailing Wage | Actively enforced | Documented failure (Vande East audit) |
| Past-Service Credit | Up to 5 credits when contractor signs with IBEW | N/A |
| Working Assessment (Dues) | 3% of gross wages | 4% of gross wages — you pay more for less |
Total package = wage + all employer fringe contributions and wage-deducted items (Vacation, Holiday, etc.) per the published wage schedules: IBEW Local 1 effective May 31, 2026 ($88.23/hr) and Carpenters Local 57 / AEC of St. Louis effective August 1, 2025. Annual figures based on 1,800 hours.
Wages
IBEW Local 1 Scale
- Journeyman
- $49.29 / hr on check · $83.63 / hr total · $150,534 / yr
- Foreman
- $54.22 / hr on check · $90.75 / hr total
- General Foreman
- $59.15 / hr on check · $97.87 / hr total
Based on 1,800 hours/year. Power tools provided by employer at no cost.
Carpenters Scale
- A-Card Journeyman
- $48.06 / hr wage · $71.66 / hr total · $128,988 / yr
- B-Card Journeyman
- $41.59 / hr wage · $64.54 / hr total · $116,172 / yr
- Annual gap vs. IBEW
- $21,546 – $34,362 less
Rates alleged to fall below Missouri State prevailing wage requirements (documented audit, Vande East project).
Retirement & Pension
IBEW — Three Pension Systems
- ✓ Primary DC plan: Projection at 35 yrs is $5,830/mo at the 4% safe-withdrawal rate, with the full $1.5M–$2M+ account balance preserved for the spouse
- ✓ Secondary — NEBF: ~$1,225/mo for life on top, with 75% spousal option · PBGC-insured
- ✓ Tertiary — IBEW Pension Benefit Fund: ~$175–$192/mo for life · 50% spousal option
- ✓ Employer contributes up to 20% of gross once vested in the Income Security Fund (10,000 credits, ~1 yr of work). Immediate full vesting in the pension account itself.
Carpenters Local 57 — One DB Plan, Two Tiers
- ✗ Grandfathered members (began accruing before 5/1/2020): standard form is ~$3,885/mo starting with the 3% annual COLA, or elect Level for ~$4,988/mo flat for life — at 35 yrs / 2,000 hrs
- ✗ New Entrant members (began accruing on or after 5/1/2020): $3,850/mo single-life flat · no COLA option · no Rule of 90
- ✗ Pre-retirement death benefit capped at ~$50K–$70K · $0 post-retirement unless you accepted a permanently reduced monthly to elect a J&S form
- ✗ One DB pension fund plus a separate DC Annuity Fund (recordkept by John Hancock) — no balance projections published; does not approach the IBEW DC's $1.5M–$2M+ projection · apprentices accrue at only 75%
- ✗ St. Louis Carpenters Pension Fund merges into MACRC effective 10/1/2026: Normal Retirement Age moves from 62 to 65, Rule of 90 preserved only for Grandfathered participants, new $3,000 retirement death benefit, "greater annual accrual" promised on a per-future-hour basis only
Over a 20-year retirement, the difference is roughly $3.4M–$3.5M more in lifetime pension income for the IBEW member.
See the Full Pension Breakdown →Healthcare Benefits
IBEW Healthcare
- ✓ Family coverage for worker, spouse, and dependents
- ✓ 90/10 cost-sharing ratio
- ✓ Retiree coverage — after 17.5 years, pay 50% of premium at age 62
- ✓ No coverage gaps during slow work periods
Carpenters Healthcare
- ✗ 80/20 cost-sharing
- ✗ Working spouses must take their employer's coverage — Carpenters plan becomes secondary, often leaving the spouse paying out of pocket via payroll deduction
- ✗ Employer contributions capped at 143 hours/month (avg. work is 173 hrs)
- ✗ Coverage lapses during slow periods when hours fall below threshold
- ✗ Limited retiree healthcare coverage
Union Representation
Built for Electricians
IBEW is the only union specifically chartered for electrical workers. The Carpenters is a carpentry union that also handles electrical work — your trade is an afterthought.
Prevailing Wage Enforcement
The IBEW actively enforces prevailing wage compliance. A documented audit of the Vande East project found massive underpayments under Carpenters jurisdiction — with no response from Carpenters leadership.
Superior Training
The IBEW JATC offers a 5-year electrical apprenticeship that is widely recognized as the best in the trade. Carpenters training is generalized and provides limited electrical-specific education.
Even Carpenters Leadership Has Made the Switch
Former officers of Carpenters Local 57 have joined the IBEW. Their reasons speak volumes.
Kevin Anderson
Former Financial Secretary → IBEW/Archkey General Foreman
Mike Meinhardt
Former VP → IBEW/JF Electric General Foreman
Kevin Radake
Former Treasurer → IBEW/Dynamic Electric Project Manager
Andrew Schaefer
Former Trustee → Project Manager, Legacy Electric
Nick Lovelace
Former Vice President → Foreman, Warren County Electric
Nathan Glass
Former Workforce Coordinator, Power Up Electrical Contractors → General Foreman, American Electric & Data
You've Seen the Numbers. Now Make the Move.
Join the union that fights for electricians — not carpenters.