Registered Apprenticeships
by State
844,900 active apprentices across 32,683 registered programs in the US. Earn while you learn, starting at ~$16.21/hr, reaching ~$29.64/hr at completion.
Find Programs on Apprenticeship.govTop Apprenticeship Occupations
Ranked by number of active registered apprentices (DOL RAPIDS FY2024)
State Rankings
Active registered apprentices by state, DOL FY2024
| # | State | Active Apprentices |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 89,000 |
| 2 | Texas | 71,000 |
| 3 | Ohio | 52,000 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 48,000 |
| 5 | New York | 44,000 |
| 6 | Illinois | 38,000 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 34,000 |
| 8 | Michigan | 31,000 |
| 9 | Virginia | 28,000 |
| 10 | Indiana | 26,000 |
| 11 | Minnesota | 25,000 |
| 12 | Washington | 24,000 |
| 13 | Florida | 22,000 |
| 14 | Georgia | 20,000 |
| 15 | North Carolina | 18,500 |
| 16 | New Jersey | 18,000 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | 17,500 |
| 18 | Colorado | 16,000 |
| 19 | Arizona | 15,500 |
| 20 | Maryland | 14,500 |
| 21 | Oregon | 13,500 |
| 22 | Tennessee | 13,000 |
| 23 | Missouri | 12,500 |
| 24 | Iowa | 11,000 |
| 25 | Utah | 10,500 |
| 26 | Kansas | 9,500 |
| 27 | Kentucky | 9,000 |
| 28 | Nevada | 8,800 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | 8,500 |
| 30 | Connecticut | 8,000 |
| 31 | Louisiana | 7,800 |
| 32 | Arkansas | 7,000 |
| 33 | Alabama | 6,800 |
| 34 | South Carolina | 6,500 |
| 35 | Nebraska | 6,000 |
| 36 | West Virginia | 5,500 |
| 37 | New Mexico | 5,000 |
| 38 | Idaho | 4,800 |
| 39 | Hawaii | 4,500 |
| 40 | Maine | 4,200 |
| 41 | Rhode Island | 3,800 |
| 42 | Mississippi | 3,600 |
| 43 | New Hampshire | 3,400 |
| 44 | North Dakota | 3,200 |
| 45 | South Dakota | 3,000 |
| 46 | Alaska | 2,800 |
| 47 | Delaware | 2,500 |
| 48 | Montana | 2,400 |
| 49 | Vermont | 2,100 |
| 50 | Wyoming | 1,900 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | 1,800 |
Wage Progression in Apprenticeships
Apprentices earn from day one. No unpaid training periods, you're a paid employee.
Wages increase with each year of apprenticeship, tied to skill advancement and proficiency tests.
Journeyworker wages. Elevator mechanics and electricians often exceed $40–$46/hr in high-cost metros.
Source: DOL Office of Apprenticeship FY2024 Data & Statistics DOL Office of Apprenticeship FY2024 Data & Statistics Wages are national averages; metro rates may be significantly higher
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a registered apprenticeship?
A registered apprenticeship is a formal, employer-sponsored training program recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. Apprentices earn wages while learning from experienced mentors, completing structured on-the-job training alongside related technical instruction. Programs typically last 1–5 years depending on the trade.
How much do apprentices earn while in training?
The average starting wage for registered apprentices is around $16/hr nationally, rising to approximately $30/hr upon program completion. Wages increase progressively throughout the apprenticeship as skills develop. Elevator mechanics and electricians command the highest completion wages, averaging $38–$46/hr.
What are the most common apprenticeship trades?
Electricians are the largest single trade with ~95,000 active apprentices nationally. Other major trades include plumbers (~52,000), carpenters (~41,000), HVAC mechanics (~38,000), and pipe fitters (~32,000). Healthcare and IT apprenticeships are the fastest-growing non-construction programs.
How do I find and apply to apprenticeship programs?
Apprenticeship.gov is the official DOL portal for finding registered programs. You can search by occupation, location, and industry. Most programs are sponsored by unions (Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees) or individual employers. Applications typically require a high school diploma or GED, passing a math and reading aptitude test, and sometimes a drug screening.
What is the apprenticeship completion rate?
The national average completion rate for registered apprenticeships is approximately 56%, meaning slightly more than half of all apprentices who begin a program complete it. Completion rates vary by state and trade, construction trades average 58–63%, while shorter programs in healthcare average 52–55%.