Field Notes
Sourced, dated notes on getting into the licensed trades — pay, licensing, and what the data center boom actually means for the people wiring it.
2026-08-03 · career change · getting in
Too Old for the Trades? The Real Numbers at 35 (and 40, and 45)
The average construction apprentice is 29, and 63% of registered apprentices are over 25. Here's the honest math on starting an electrical career at 35–45 — including the year-one pay cut nobody mentions.
2026-08-02 · apprenticeship · IBEW · getting in
The IBEW Aptitude Test, Explained: What's Actually on It (and How to Prepare)
The electrical apprenticeship aptitude test gates the best-paid path into the trade. Here's exactly what it covers, how scoring works, and a 4-week prep plan that costs nothing.
2026-08-02 · pay transparency · data centers · electrician
How Much Do Data Center Electricians Actually Make? (2026, Real Numbers)
Entry, median, senior, and traveling data center electrician pay in 2026 — with sources, and an honest accounting of what the $200k stories really cost.