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
Journeyman Hourly Wage
IBEW ✓
$49.29/hr on check · $83.63/hr total
Carpenters
A-card: $48.06/hr · $71.66 total B-card: $41.59/hr · $64.54 total
Annual Earnings (1,800 hrs)
IBEW ✓
$150,534 total package
Carpenters
A-card: $128,988 B-card: $116,172
Annual Advantage
IBEW ✓
+$21,546 – $34,362 more
Carpenters
—
Pension (35-yr member)
IBEW ✓
$16,853/mo (1% alloc.) · $8,747/mo (0.5% alloc.) 3 systems — DC inheritable, NEBF 75% spousal, IBEW 50% spousal Many members retire with $1.5M–$2M in DC plan
Carpenters
$3,850/mo (35 yrs) — no COLA, nothing to heirs
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Hourly Wage | $49.29/hr on check · $83.63/hr total | A-card: $48.06/hr · $71.66 total B-card: $41.59/hr · $64.54 total |
| Annual Earnings (1,800 hrs) | $150,534 total package | A-card: $128,988 B-card: $116,172 |
| Annual Advantage | +$21,546 – $34,362 more | — |
| Pension (35-yr member) | $16,853/mo (1% alloc.) · $8,747/mo (0.5% alloc.) 3 systems — DC inheritable, NEBF 75% spousal, IBEW 50% spousal Many members retire with $1.5M–$2M in DC plan | $3,850/mo (35 yrs) — no COLA, nothing to heirs |
| 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 |
Rates per IBEW Local 1 and AEC of St. Louis wage schedules, 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: Inheritable — many members retire with $1.5M–$2M
- ✓ NEBF: National Electrical Benefit Fund — 75% spousal option
- ✓ IBEW Pension: 50% spousal option
- ✓ Real-life projection (35 yrs, 1% allocation): $16,853/month
- ✓ Conservative (0.5% allocation): $8,747.80/month with full spousal protections
- ✓ Up to 5 service credits for employees of contractors who sign with the IBEW
Carpenters — One DB Plan
- ✗ Monthly (35 years @ $110/yr of service): $3,850 / month
- ✗ No cost-of-living adjustment
- ✗ Defined-benefit plan — nothing passes to heirs or beneficiaries
- ✗ No secondary or tertiary pension layers
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.