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Apprentice Hours Tracker: OJT, Classroom, and Wage Step Progress

Track Hours Toward Journeyman Completion for 15 Trades with Dual Progress Bars, Wage Step Table, and Pace Indicator

Free apprentice hours tracker for apprentices, JATC coordinators, training directors, and HR managers overseeing registered apprenticeship programs. Select from 15 trade presets (IBEW, UA Plumbers/Fitters, Ironworkers, Carpenters, Operating Engineers, Sheet Metal, Elevator Constructors, Boilermakers, Painters, Insulators, Millwrights, Sprinkler Fitters, Roofers, Bricklayers, and HVAC/R) with the correct total hours, OJT/classroom split, number of periods, and wage step progression already loaded.

Every apprentice knows the question: "How many hours do I have left?" But the real question is whether you are on pace to finish on time. This tracker shows dual progress bars for total hours and the OJT/classroom split so you can see at a glance if you are heavy on field hours but behind on classroom, or vice versa. The wage step table shows your current and upcoming hourly rates by period, and the pace indicator tells you whether you are ahead, on track, or behind schedule based on your start date and projected completion date.

Pro Tip: If you are a UA (plumber/fitter) apprentice, your program requires 10,000 hours of OJT across 5 years. That is 2,000 hours per year, or about 38.5 hours per week. If you are only averaging 35 hours per week because your shop slows down in winter, you will fall behind by 180 hours per year. Start picking up extra hours in the summer or ask your coordinator about related training hours that count toward OJT. Falling even one period behind can delay your journeyman card and cost you thousands in missed wage steps.

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Apprentice Hours Tracker
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How It Works

  1. Select Your Trade

    Choose from the 15 built-in trade presets. Each preset loads the correct total hours, OJT/classroom split, number of periods, and wage step percentages for that trade's national standard program.

  2. Enter Start Date and Current Hours

    Input your apprenticeship start date and the total OJT hours and classroom/related training hours you have completed to date. Pull these from your JATC records or union portal.

  3. Review Progress Bars

    See dual progress bars showing your percentage complete for total hours and the OJT vs classroom split. If one bar is significantly ahead of the other, you may need to balance your hours.

  4. Check Your Wage Step

    The wage step table shows your current period, current hourly rate (as a percentage of journeyman scale), and the rate for each remaining period. See exactly when your next raise kicks in.

  5. Review Pace Indicator

    The pace indicator compares your actual hours to where you should be based on a linear progression from start date to projected completion. Green means on track, yellow means slightly behind, red means significantly behind.

  6. Project Completion Date

    Based on your current pace, the calculator projects your journeyman completion date. If you are behind, it shows how many additional hours per week you need to finish on time.

Built For

  • First-year IBEW apprentices tracking their 8,000-hour (5-year) progress and checking when they advance to the next wage step
  • UA plumber/fitter apprentices verifying their OJT vs classroom hour split stays in compliance with JATC requirements
  • JATC training directors monitoring a class of 30 apprentices to identify who is falling behind pace and needs intervention
  • Apprentice coordinators preparing quarterly progress reports for the state apprenticeship agency
  • HR managers at signatory contractors verifying that apprentice wage rates match the correct period and percentage
  • Apprentices transferring between local unions who need to document completed hours for credit at the new JATC

Features & Capabilities

15 Trade Presets

Built-in standards for IBEW, UA, Ironworkers, Carpenters, Operating Engineers, Sheet Metal, Elevator Constructors, Boilermakers, Painters, Insulators, Millwrights, Sprinkler Fitters, Roofers, Bricklayers, and HVAC/R. Each includes correct total hours, period structure, and wage percentages.

Dual Progress Bars

Separate progress tracking for total hours and the OJT/classroom split. Visual indicators show whether you are balanced or need to focus on one type of hours to stay in compliance.

Wage Step Table

Shows the percentage of journeyman scale for each period (e.g., 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%). Highlights your current period and the hourly rate at each step.

Pace Indicator

Compares actual progress to expected progress based on time elapsed since start date. Color-coded status (green/yellow/red) shows at a glance whether you are on track.

Projected Completion Date

Calculates the expected journeyman completion date based on current hours-per-week pace. Shows the adjustment needed if you are behind schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most building trades apprenticeships require 8,000 to 10,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) plus 144 to 216 hours of related classroom instruction per year. IBEW inside wiremen: 8,000 OJT over 5 years. UA plumbers/pipefitters: 10,000 OJT over 5 years. Ironworkers: 6,000 to 8,000 OJT over 3-4 years. Carpenters: 8,000 OJT over 4 years. The exact requirements depend on the specific local JATC program and state apprenticeship standards.
Most programs start apprentices at 40% to 50% of the journeyman rate and increase by approximately 5% to 10% per period (usually every 6 months or 1,000 hours). A typical 5-period progression might be 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%. Some programs use more periods with smaller increments. The journeyman rate varies significantly by trade and location. An IBEW inside wireman in a major metro might earn $45 to $55/hr at journeyman scale, so a first-year apprentice at 50% would earn $22.50 to $27.50/hr.
OJT hours are hours worked on the job performing work related to your trade under the supervision of a journeyman. The hours must be in the trade classification of your apprenticeship. For electricians, wiring a house counts; sweeping the shop floor does not. Some programs credit a portion of overtime hours at straight time (1 hour of OT = 1 hour of credit, not 1.5). Check with your JATC for specific crediting rules. Pre-apprenticeship or helper hours before registration typically do not count unless specifically credited by the program.
Most JATCs require apprentices to complete the classroom/related training hours for each period before advancing to the next wage step. Falling behind on classroom can mean your wage increase is delayed even if your OJT hours are on track. Some programs will suspend an apprentice who falls more than one period behind on classroom. If you miss classes, ask your training director about makeup sessions or alternative credit options. Classroom attendance is also often a condition of maintaining your apprenticeship registration.
Yes, most registered apprenticeship programs allow hour transfers between local unions within the same international union. You will need official transcripts from your current JATC showing completed OJT hours, classroom hours, and grades. The receiving JATC reviews your records and determines credit. Some hours may not transfer if the receiving program has different curriculum requirements. The process typically takes 30 to 90 days. Contact the training director at your destination local before relocating to understand their transfer policy.
Apprenticeship registrations can be cancelled if an apprentice is inactive for an extended period, typically 6 to 12 months depending on the program and state. Hours already completed and documented generally do not expire, but re-entering a program after cancellation may require restarting the application process. Some states allow reinstatement with credit for prior hours if the gap is less than 2 years. Always notify your JATC if you need to take a leave of absence to protect your accumulated hours.
Disclaimer: Hour requirements and wage progressions shown are based on national program standards and may differ by local JATC. Always verify specific requirements with your apprenticeship coordinator or training director. This tool is for tracking and planning purposes only and does not replace official JATC records.

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