How to hire a helper/apprentice

How to hire a helper/apprentice, step by step

Here's a step-by-step helper/apprentice hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a helper/apprentice job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new helper/apprentice
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a helper/apprentice do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a helper/apprentice, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A helper/apprentice's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, helper/apprentices from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of helper/apprentice salaries for various roles:

   Type of Helper/Apprentice	Description	Hourly rate
   Helper/Apprentice	Construction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.	$12-19
   Mason	A mason is responsible for shaping artificial mineral products, concrete blocks, stone pieces, and bricks to create structures essential for construction or other building purposes using various machinery and equipment, following the highest safety standards and production procedures. Masons analyze schematics and blueprints, applying the clients' specifications and customization to their product expertise... Show more	$13-32
   Journeyman	A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman... Show more	$18-39

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • General Construction
   • Plumbing
   • OSHA
   • Construction Projects
   • HVAC
   • Hand Tools
   • PVC
   • Service Calls
   • Safety Guidelines
   • PPE
   • Tape Measure
   • EMT
   • DIG
   • Water Heaters

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist technicians in maintaining and repairing HVAC and various types of refrigeration and food service systems as an apprentice.
   • Work with experience HVAC technicians and provide excellent customer service.
   • Integrate technology into curriculum, supplementing class lectures and developing student's researching skills and internet and PowerPoint proficiency.
   • Mow lawn with riding mower.
   • Operate vehicles and power equipment such as mowers, string trimmers, and blowers.
   • Hook up electrical and positive air fan blowers to pull air out of spaces inside of the ships.

   More helper/apprentice duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your helper/apprentice job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A helper/apprentice salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, helper/apprentices' average salary in mississippi is 45% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level helper/apprentices earn 38% less than senior-level helper/apprentices.
   • Certifications. A helper/apprentice with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a helper/apprentice's salary.

   Average helper/apprentice salary

   $15.59hourly

   $32,425 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level helper/apprentice salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average helper/apprentice salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Oregon	$39,660	$19
   2	California	$37,269	$18
   3	Maine	$35,023	$17
   4	Ohio	$33,920	$16
   5	District of Columbia	$33,250	$16
   6	Texas	$32,187	$15
   7	Iowa	$32,172	$15
   8	Arizona	$32,161	$15
   9	Tennessee	$29,172	$14
   10	Virginia	$29,116	$14
   11	Louisiana	$28,825	$14
   12	South Carolina	$28,582	$14
   13	Alabama	$28,370	$14
   14	Florida	$27,661	$13
   15	North Carolina	$27,581	$13
   16	Georgia	$26,607	$13

   Average helper/apprentice salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Entergy	$39,517	$19.00	37
   2	Comfort Systems USA	$36,936	$17.76	2
   3	The Hiller Companies	$35,595	$17.11	15
   4	Moores Electrical And Mechanical	$33,387	$16.05	9
   5	Huntington Ingalls Industries	$32,903	$15.82	6
   6	CMI	$32,903	$15.82
   7	Jet	$32,848	$15.79	5
   8	Skilled Trades	$31,477	$15.13	7
   9	Custom Electrical Contractors Inc.	$30,673	$14.75

4. Writing a helper/apprentice job description

   A helper/apprentice job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a helper/apprentice job description:

   Helper/apprentice job description example

   Electrical Helper, Apprentices 1-4.

   Minimum 6 months of electrical experience working for a licensed electrical contractor preferred but not required.

   We have openings for service, new construction and other positions for experienced electricians by clicking on our career page. (Experienced required)

   Looking to gain valuable experience in the electrical field? Or existing apprentice looking to gain additional experience and further your career! Look no further you came to the right place!

   Custom Electrical Services is a leading electrical contractor in Clive, Iowa, is more than just a place to work – it’s a place to thrive. We pride ourselves on providing quality work, opportunities to work on a WIDE variety of residential and light commercial projects and a safe work environment.

   We offer full benefits and year-round work! All work is in central Iowa. No overnight travel!

   Job description

   Apprentices provide assistance to Journeyman electricians. They perform a wide variety of basic electrical task. And help on new construction jobs in addition to larger service projects and remodels. Apprentices benefit the most by gaining knowledge in the electrical trade and the opportunity to earn their journeyman electrical license all while earning top wages and benefits!

   We offer full training with hands on experience. You need to be highly motivated; love to be part of a team, but work well individually; welcome learning new things; enjoy interacting with people; and be ready for a new challenge every single day

   Join our team and share our mission of creating a positive, memorable experience for our customers by fulfilling their electrical needs while providing exceptional customer service.

   What’s in for you!!

   • Great money! Let’s Face it you are not going to work for free! Ability to earn some of the highest wages in the industry!
   • Great benefits! - Please take a look below at our employer sponsored and elective benefits options
   • Health Insurance
   • Dental Insurance
   • Disability Insurance
   • Accident Insurance
   • Life Insurance $25,000 paid at no cost to you!
   • Vision insurance
   • Vacation schedule that grows up to 20 days per year! - Plus 6 paid holidays per year!
   • Ability to earn 2 EXTRA vacation days per year based on hours worked.
   • 401K with 100% company match
   • Uniform allowance (shirts, hats, sweatshirts etc.)
   • Paid as an employee and NOT as a sub-contractor.
   • Identity theft insurance - elective
   • Get paid what your worth! Top Pay!
   • No overnight travel
   • Real advancement opportunities
   • Paid training opportunities
   • Great opportunity! (We're busy year-round! No sitting at home and worrying!)
   • Growth potential! (We're always looking for future managers!)
   • And much more. . .

   Company Events Career Page Website

   Two Winners Every Time!
   

   During every safety meeting two lucky winners get to earn a price from our prize wall!

   
   

   Requirements
   

   • Must have valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to and from the job. (unless you qualify for company vehicle)
   • 18 years or older.
   • Able to lift, pull and move weights ranging from 70lbs or more.
   • Climb ladders and scaffolding of various heights.
   • Ability to use most power and hand tools.
   • Provide your own basic hand tools and tool pouch.
   • Work in a variety of climates in and outdoors in Iowa weather year-round.
   • Pass both a background check and drug screening.
   • Have high school diploma or equivalent.
   • Be a self-starter and highly motivated.
   • Follow directions.
   • Attend evening classroom time 1 day per week following normal school year.

   Apply online today! Equal opportunity employer. 100% Confidential!

   www.CustomElectricalia.com

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right helper/apprentice for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with helper/apprentices they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit helper/apprentices who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your helper/apprentice job on Zippia to find and recruit helper/apprentice candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with helper/apprentice candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new helper/apprentice

   Once you've selected the best helper/apprentice candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new helper/apprentice first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a helper/apprentice?