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The average salary for a helper/apprentice in the United States stands at $32,425 per year, which translates to around $16 per hour. This entry-level position is critical across various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and service industries. Salaries can differ significantly based on experience, geographic location, and the specific field of work.
Entry-level positions typically offer lower salaries, while those with more experience can command higher pay. For example, apprentices who complete their training often see increases in their hourly rates, reflecting their enhanced skill set.
Geographical differences play a significant role in salary expectations. States with a higher cost of living generally offer better compensation. Additionally, industries such as construction and specialized manufacturing tend to provide higher salaries for skilled apprentices.
Job seekers can find a range of opportunities in this field. Exploring local job boards and company websites can yield valuable openings in various sectors, ensuring candidates find roles suited to their skills and aspirations.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level helper/apprentice | $25,000 | $12.00 |
| Mid-level helper/apprentice | $29,000 | $13.96 |
| Senior-level helper/apprentice | $45,300 | $21.77 |
The highest-paying states for helper/apprentices are New York, Alaska, and Connecticut. The lowest average helper/apprentice salary states are Florida, Nevada, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $43,011 | $20.68 |
| 2 | Montana | $38,091 | $18.31 |
| 3 | Oregon | $39,609 | $19.04 |
| 4 | Michigan | $38,862 | $18.68 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $42,581 | $20.47 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $37,396 | $17.98 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $41,225 | $19.82 |
| 8 | New York | $45,699 | $21.97 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $40,614 | $19.53 |
| 10 | Washington | $40,184 | $19.32 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $41,927 | $20.16 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $34,804 | $16.73 |
| 13 | Maine | $35,015 | $16.83 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $41,580 | $19.99 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $36,238 | $17.42 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $37,644 | $18.10 |
| 17 | Ohio | $34,437 | $16.56 |
| 18 | Vermont | $35,759 | $17.19 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $39,495 | $18.99 |
| 20 | Illinois | $38,398 | $18.46 |
| 21 | Kentucky | $33,205 | $15.96 |
| 22 | Missouri | $35,677 | $17.15 |
| 23 | Utah | $32,319 | $15.54 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | $35,699 | $17.16 |
| 25 | Iowa | $32,440 | $15.60 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $31,904 | $15.34 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $31,133 | $14.97 |
| 28 | California | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| 29 | Texas | $32,235 | $15.50 |
| 30 | Colorado | $33,479 | $16.10 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $28,844 | $13.87 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $29,278 | $14.08 |
| 33 | Arizona | $32,086 | $15.43 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $30,498 | $14.66 |
| 35 | Indiana | $30,519 | $14.67 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $28,470 | $13.69 |
| 37 | Virginia | $29,312 | $14.09 |
| 38 | Kansas | $30,394 | $14.61 |
| 39 | Alabama | $28,329 | $13.62 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $28,832 | $13.86 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $27,744 | $13.34 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $28,045 | $13.48 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | $33,264 | $15.99 |
| 44 | Florida | $27,563 | $13.25 |
| 45 | Maryland | $30,915 | $14.86 |
| 46 | Nevada | $27,254 | $13.10 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $25,238 | $12.13 |
| 48 | Idaho | $26,048 | $12.52 |
| 49 | Delaware | $28,620 | $13.76 |
| 50 | Georgia | $26,597 | $12.79 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $26,348 | $12.67 |
The highest-paying cities for helper/apprentices are Portland, OR, Chino Hills, CA, and Portland, ME.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland, OR | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| 2 | Chino Hills, CA | $37,269 | $17.92 |
| 3 | Portland, ME | $35,023 | $16.84 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $33,920 | $16.31 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $33,250 | $15.99 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $32,187 | $15.47 |
| 7 | Des Moines, IA | $32,172 | $15.47 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $32,161 | $15.46 |
| 9 | Memphis, TN | $29,172 | $14.03 |
| 10 | Newport News, VA | $29,116 | $14.00 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge, LA | $28,825 | $13.86 |
| 12 | Columbia, SC | $28,582 | $13.74 |
| 13 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $28,370 | $13.64 |
| 14 | Panama City, FL | $27,661 | $13.30 |
| 15 | Charlotte, NC | $27,581 | $13.26 |
| 16 | Peachtree City, GA | $26,607 | $12.79 |
A helper/apprentice's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| Average | $32,425 | $2,702 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
The highest paying types of helper/apprentices are marine electrician, journeyman, and plumber.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason | $43,974 | $3,664 | $21.14 | 15,057 |
| Journeyman | $57,682 | $4,807 | $27.73 | 13,953 |
| Pipe Fitter | $51,055 | $4,255 | $24.55 | 12,846 |
| Plumber | $55,337 | $4,611 | $26.60 | 12,307 |
| Electrical Foreman | $50,996 | $4,250 | $24.52 | 44,710 |
| Finish Carpenter | $46,987 | $3,916 | $22.59 | 11,653 |
Top companies hiring helper/apprentices now:
Helper/apprentice salaries at Entergy and Comfort Systems USA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average helper/apprentice salary at companies like The Hiller Companies and Moores Electrical And Mechanical are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entergy | $39,517 | $19.00 |
| 2 | Comfort Systems USA | $36,936 | $17.76 |
| 3 | The Hiller Companies | $35,595 | $17.11 |
| 4 | Moores Electrical And Mechanical | $33,387 | $16.05 |
| 5 | Huntington Ingalls Industries | $32,903 | $15.82 |
| 6 | CMI | $32,903 | $15.82 |
| 7 | Jet | $32,848 | $15.79 |
| 8 | Skilled Trades | $31,477 | $15.13 |
| 9 | Custom Electrical Contractors Inc. | $30,673 | $14.75 |
The average helper/apprentice salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction | $35,929 | $17.27 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $33,958 | $16.33 |
| 3 | Energy | $33,828 | $16.26 |
| 4 | Professional | $33,405 | $16.06 |
| 5 | Retail | $32,217 | $15.49 |
| 6 | Hospitality | $26,576 | $12.78 |
The average helper/apprentice salary has risen by $6,983 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average helper/apprentice earned $25,442 annually, but today, they earn $32,425 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for helper/apprentices over the last decade.
Compare helper/apprentice salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare helper/apprentice salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,400 | $15.59 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $31,500 | $15.16 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $30,600 | $14.73 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $29,500 | $14.21 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $28,600 | $13.75 | +4.5% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-800-Plumber + Air | Apprentice/Helper | Yukon, OK | 06/01/2025 | $37,566 |
| 1-800-Plumber + Air | Apprentice/Helper | Valley View, OH | 05/20/2025 | $31,305 |
| PDQ Door | Helper/Apprentice | Rockport, ME | 05/10/2025 | $31,305 |
| 1-800-Plumber + Air | Apprentice/Helper | Greensboro, NC | 03/21/2025 | $31,305 |
| Handyman Connection | Handyman Apprentice/Helper | Jacksonville, FL | 03/06/2025 | $41,740 |
| 1-800-Plumber | Apprentice/Helper | San Antonio, TX | 02/18/2025 | $33,392 |
| 1-800-Plumber | Apprentice/Helper | Yukon, OK | 02/17/2025 | $37,566 |
| 1-800-Plumber | Apprentice/Helper | Huntington, NY | 02/15/2025 | $39,653 |
| The Blue Collar Recruiter | Generator Apprentice/Helper | Knoxville, TN | 02/07/2025 | $37,566 |
| The Blue Collar Recruiter | Generator Apprentice/Helper | Tampa, FL | 02/07/2025 | $37,566 |
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