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  5. Skilled Wage Rate Process

Skilled Wage Rate Process

The apprentice contract requires that employers must compensate registered apprentices according to a progressively increasing schedule of wages consistent with their acquired skills, competency, and experience.1

The adequacy of an apprentice wage scale is determined by comparing the current skilled wage rate in the geographical area of the local committee.2 Employers may compensate apprentices above the skilled wage rate and are encouraged to do so.

Union or Non-Union

In the construction sector, if an apprentice is subject to a collective bargaining agreement, the wage rate specified in the agreement is the skilled wage rate.

For construction sector apprentices not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the skilled wage rate is based on the average rate paid to journeyworkers within the geographical area of the local apprenticeship committee.3

Non-Union Skilled Wage Rate Guidance

To assist in determining the skilled wage rate for non-union construction apprentices, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (BAS) has compiled a series of data sets and maps using state wage data. The rates posted in the guidance maps represent the best available statistical data.

These rates are a benchmark for local programs to set their own wage rates. Generally, BAS will not approve a skilled wage rate more than 20% below the posted guidance rate.4

For more information about this process, reference BAS' skilled wage rate memorandum.

Setting a Skilled Wage Rate

Using the guidance maps, local apprenticeship committees must set a skilled wage rate for non-union construction apprentices for each occupation within their program through the following process:

  1. Beginning Aug. 1, 2026: Review guidance maps.
  2. By Sept. 8, 2026:
    • Affected employers, employer organizations, or local apprenticeship committee members must submit questions or concerns about the wage rates or criteria used in writing to BAS by email at apprenticeship@dwd.wisconsin.gov.
    • If a local apprenticeship committee is considering whether to set a rate different from what is in the guidance map, it should contact BAS (apprenticeship@dwd.wisconsin.gov) to schedule a committee meeting.
    • If BAS does not receive any written concerns from affected employers, employer organizations, or local apprenticeship committee members, no additional action is required. BAS will designate the published guidance rate as the skilled wage rate for the program, effective Jan. 1, 2027.
  3. By Nov 1, 2026:
    • Local apprenticeship committees that elected to meet will hold a meeting to set a proposed rate. All rates are subject to final approval by BAS.
    • BAS may convene a local apprenticeship committee meeting in response to feedback it receives.
  4. By Jan. 1, 2027: Employers must implement the new rate.

Skilled Wage Rate Exception

In instances where an approved skilled wage rate is lower than the previous skilled wage rate, existing apprentice wages cannot be lowered to the new rate without approval from BAS to amend existing contracts.5 BAS approval is not required for employers to increase compensation for apprentices above the skilled wage rate.

References