IBEW Local 177 Jacksonville Electrician Union Guide

If you’re in North Florida and looking to become an electrician, IBEW Local 177 in Jacksonville is a local union serving Duval County and surrounding counties in Northeast Florida. Local 177 connects apprentices and journeymen with union contractors, training through the North Florida JATC, and member benefits.

TL;DR - Want to join IBEW Local 177?
This guide walks you through their jurisdiction, training program, wages, and how to apply.


Quick answers

Where is IBEW Local 177 based and what area does it cover?
IBEW Local 177 is based in Jacksonville, Florida. It covers Duval County and surrounding counties in Northeast Florida, including Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns.

Who does IBEW Local 177 represent?
IBEW Local 177 represents inside electricians working across Jacksonville and North Florida. The local connects members to jobs with contractors under a collective bargaining agreement.

How does the apprenticeship work?
Local 177 partners with the North Florida Electrical JATC for a 5-year apprenticeship. It combines paid jobsite learning with weekly night classes.

What are the basic requirements to apply?
You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.

What can an apprentice expect to earn at the start?
This guide lists an estimated starting range of $17-$19 per hour for Year 1 apprentices, with raises as you progress. Exact wages are set by the collective bargaining agreement and may change.

At a glance

  • Location: Jacksonville, Florida
  • Jurisdiction: Duval County and surrounding counties (including Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns)
  • Apprenticeship: North Florida Electrical JATC, 5 years
  • Estimated starting pay: $17-$19 per hour (Year 1)
  • Contact: (904) 355-4569, ibew177.org

Overview of Local 177

Local UnionIBEW Local 177
LocationJacksonville, FL
JurisdictionDuval County + surrounding counties
SpecialtiesInside Wireman, Commercial & Industrial Projects
Phone(904) 355-4569
Websiteibew177.org
Address966 N Liberty St, Jacksonville, FL 32206

What Does Local 177 Do?

IBEW Local 177 represents inside electricians working across Jacksonville and North Florida. The union connects its members to jobs with reputable contractors who uphold safety, training, and compensation standards defined by the local’s collective bargaining agreement.

Members benefit from:

  • Union-scale wages with regular raises and job security
  • Employer-paid health and retirement plans
  • Access to the North Florida JATC apprenticeship program
  • Ongoing education and OSHA safety training

Recent Projects & Regional Focus

IBEW Local 177 members have helped power major projects in Northeast Florida, including:

  • The Jacksonville VA Outpatient Clinic
  • Naval Station Mayport upgrades
  • Downtown Jacksonville school and hospital renovations
  • Amazon fulfillment centers and warehouse development

The union also supports ongoing public works projects in Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties.


Apprenticeship Program (North Florida JATC)

IBEW Local 177 operates in partnership with the North Florida Electrical JATC to deliver a full 5-year apprenticeship that combines jobsite learning with weekly classroom sessions.

Key features

  • Earn While You Learn: Start around $17/hr and receive yearly raises
  • 40+ hours/week paid work plus night classes
  • No tuition beyond books and application/testing fees
  • Train with licensed journeymen on real commercial and industrial projects

How to join IBEW Local 177 (application steps)

  1. Be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED
  2. Submit your application online or in person at the Electrical Training Alliance of Jacksonville (ETAJAX)
    • 4951 Richard Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207
    • (904) 737-7533
  3. Take the NJATC aptitude test (algebra and reading)
  4. Attend an interview with the Apprenticeship Committee (meets the second Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM)
  5. If selected, begin your paid apprenticeship and classroom training

Applications are accepted year-round. For the most up-to-date info, visit etajax.org or contact the training center directly.


Wages & Benefits

While exact wage rates may fluctuate, the following are conservative estimates based on current industry standards in North Florida.

PositionEstimated Hourly Wage
Apprentice (Year 1)$17-$19/hr
Apprentice (Year 5)$27-$29/hr
Journeyman$36-$39/hr
Foreman$42-$47/hr

Wages are governed by the collective bargaining agreement and may change with contract renewals. Contact Local 177 for the latest pay scale.

Member Benefits:

  • Health Insurance: Full family coverage for medical, dental, and vision care
  • Retirement: Defined-benefit pension and employer-funded annuity plans
  • Vacation Fund: Paid time off and holiday pay
  • Training Access: Industry certifications, OSHA safety, NEC code updates
  • Fair Hiring: Union-backed job referral and dispatch system

For up-to-date benefits, visit ibew177.org or call (904) 355-4569.


Union vs. Non-Union Electrician Training

FeatureUnion (IBEW 177)Non-Union Path
Tuition Cost$0 (except books/tools)$5K-$20K trade school
Pay During TrainingYesUsually unpaid
Job PlacementSupported via referral (not guaranteed)Self-managed
Benefits While LearningHealth + pensionRare
Network & MentorshipUnion hall and journeymenOften solo

Electrician Demand in North Florida

According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, electrician jobs in the Jacksonville metro area are projected to grow by 11% through 2030.

Growth drivers include:

  • Aging infrastructure upgrades
  • School and hospital modernization
  • Data centers and e-commerce facility expansion
  • Population growth in suburban counties

Jurisdiction Map

IBEW Local 177 covers a large portion of Northeast Florida, including:

Cities & Areas Covered
Jacksonville
Orange Park
St. Augustine
Fernandina Beach
Green Cove Springs
Nassau & Clay Counties

If you live or work in this area, Local 177 is likely your union.


Frequently Asked Questions

Where is IBEW Local 177 based and what area does it cover?
IBEW Local 177 is based in Jacksonville, Florida. It covers Duval County and surrounding counties in Northeast Florida, including Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns.

Who does IBEW Local 177 represent?
IBEW Local 177 represents inside electricians working across Jacksonville and North Florida. The local connects members to jobs with contractors under a collective bargaining agreement.

How does the apprenticeship work?
Local 177 partners with the North Florida Electrical JATC for a 5-year apprenticeship. It combines paid jobsite learning with weekly night classes.

What are the basic requirements to apply?
You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.

What is the starting pay for apprentices?
This guide lists an estimated starting range of $17-$19 per hour for Year 1 apprentices, with raises as you progress. Exact wages are set by the collective bargaining agreement and may change.

—## Final Thoughts

IBEW Local 177 is one of the most established electrical unions in North Florida, offering structured training, competitive wages, and career-long support. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to make the jump to union work, Local 177 can help you build a reliable future.

To learn more, visit ibew177.org or call (904) 355-4569 to speak with someone at the hall.



About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)