24-06-2025
Tradie apprentice stuns with six-figure salary - and it's only her second year
An apprentice electrician has revealed she earns over $100,000 a year, despite many others in the same position earning significantly less.
The second-year apprentice with Queensland Rail was stopped by an interviewer from Getahead, a job seeker app, in Brisbane's CBD in a video shared on Monday.
'I make probably $100,000 a year at the moment,' she said.
The interviewer seemed shocked by the electrician's high salary, given she wasn't even halfway through her apprenticeship.
She explained most of her money is made during night shifts.
'We do a rotational roster, so two weeks of day shift, a week of night shift,' she said.
'The night shift is where you make a lot of your money and then overtime as well if you want.'
On top of taking on night work and additional hours, the trainee electrician does high-voltage work which pays higher wages.
'I'm in substations, which you also earn a bit more because it's high-risk work I guess you could say,' she said.
The sparky had previously considered working in the health sector but admitted she was attracted to the trades by their higher salaries.
'I was going to be a nurse but didn't follow through with it and then I just woke up and I was like, "Oh, may as well try like a trade",' she said.
The apprentice said it can be 'tricky to juggle' her TAFE course on top of her job, but the push to 'put in extra study' was paying off.
An additional perk she 'loves' about her current position is the superior work-life balance she enjoys compared to apprentices in the private sector.
'It being government, you get a lot of freedom,' the apprentice said.
'You don't get run into the ground like a lot of other domestic sparkies out there.'
However, the woman did admit there was downside to working the trades - a noticeable lack of other women.
'There was (other women), but one's injured and then one finished up and she unfortunately didn't get a job with us,' she said.
'I'm the only one at the moment.'
A permanent position with Queensland Rail is not guaranteed at the end of apprenticeships but the tradie was determined to prove her worth while there.
'Your apprenticeship's like a four-year interview. Show them that you're keen and you'll likely get a job and they'll make a position for you,' she said.
Several other apprentice electricians were shocked by the woman's high earnings.
'I'm second year and get $39,000,' one wrote.
'I'm third year and get $48,000,' another shared.
The Electrical Trades Union claims the standard hourly rate for junior second-year electricians is $18.84, if they've completed Year 12 at high school.
That figure equates to $715.77 a week or $32,220 a year.
Overtime rates, Sunday rates and public holiday rates are typically higher.
Workers under Union Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) often receive higher salaries than those under award.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in January pledged a $627million boost for bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and joiners.
The scheme promised to pay apprentices $10,000 in five instalments over the duration of their apprenticeship, in addition to their usual pay. It is set to cover about 62,690 apprentices and will be available to those who sign up after July 1.
In addition, the government has put $45million aside to increase advocacy, networking, recruitment and training for women working in trades.
The move was part of Albanese's larger promise to build more homes to address critical housing shortages.
