LADWP Electrical Craft Helper: 5 Essential Facts About The 2026 Career Path, Salary, And Training Program

Dec 29, 2025 • minute read

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The LADWP Electrical Craft Helper (ECH) position is one of the most sought-after entry-level skilled craft opportunities in the Los Angeles area, offering a clear, high-paying career path into the utility sector.

As of late 2025, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) continues to rely on this role as a pipeline for its next generation of skilled electrical workers, with specific hiring periods already scheduled for early 2026. This article breaks down the most current and essential facts about the ECH role, including the 2026 salary projections, the necessary training pathway, and how to successfully navigate the Civil Service process.

The LADWP Electrical Craft Helper: A 2026 Career Snapshot

The Electrical Craft Helper (Class Code 3799) is not just a job; it is the official entry point for a long-term, high-value career with the LADWP. It is categorized as a Skilled Craft—Electrical position, providing hands-on experience and on-the-job training under the supervision of journey-level workers.

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The role is a critical stepping stone, with successful ECH employees typically progressing into higher-skilled classifications like Electrical Mechanic or positions on the distribution (line) side of the utility.

Fact 1: The Impressive 2025–2026 Salary Range

One of the biggest draws of the LADWP Electrical Craft Helper position is the highly competitive compensation package, which is set for the current fiscal year (FY 2025–2026).

Minimum Monthly Salary (FY 2025–2026): Approximately \$6,105.66.
Maximum Monthly Salary (FY 2025–2026): Approximately \$8,289.36.

This translates to an annual salary range of roughly \$73,267 to \$99,472, before factoring in overtime, which is common in utility work, and the comprehensive benefits package offered by the LADWP. This is a substantial starting wage for a position that is essentially a paid apprenticeship and training program.

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Fact 2: The Essential Utility Pre-Craft Trainee (UPCT) Pathway

Unlike many other job classifications, the primary and most direct route to qualifying for the Electrical Craft Helper position is through a specific, LADWP-sponsored training program.

The Minimum Qualification Requirement

The minimum qualification for the ECH role is the successful completion of at least eight months in the Utility Pre-Craft Trainee (UPCT) training program.

The UPCT program is a collaboration between the LADWP and the IBEW Local 18 union, designed as an "earn-and-learn" opportunity that provides extensive, paid training and mentorship. This program is specifically structured to prepare individuals for the physical, technical, and safety demands of skilled craft positions within the Department of Water and Power.

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Prospective applicants should focus their efforts on gaining acceptance into the UPCT program, as it is the most efficient and recognized path to the ECH Civil Service exam.

Fact 3: Key Duties and What the Job Really Entails

The Electrical Craft Helper is a physically demanding role that involves working in various environments, from power plants and substations to overhead line installations and underground vaults. The core function is to provide direct assistance to Qualified Electrical Workers (QEW) and other journey-level tradespeople.

Typical ECH Assignments Include:

Assisting with the installation, maintenance, and repair of overhead and underground electrical systems.
Supporting the construction and maintenance of electrical systems for buildings, facilities, and substations.
Handling, transporting, and rigging heavy materials, tools, and equipment.
Performing general labor, including digging trenches, climbing poles, and working from bucket trucks.
Learning and strictly adhering to all LADWP and Cal/OSHA safety regulations.

The experience gained in this role is invaluable, providing the foundational knowledge needed to specialize later in the distribution side (Line Work) or the Electrical Mechanic side (Station Construction and Maintenance).

Fact 4: Navigating the LADWP Civil Service Exam Process

Securing an ECH position requires successfully passing the LADWP Civil Service Examination, often referred to as the ECH exam. The LADWP operates on a Civil Service Process, which includes scheduled application periods and a competitive testing phase.

The Selection Process Timeline:

Application Period: LADWP releases a job bulletin with specific application dates. For example, a recent opening was scheduled for March 13–26, 2026.
Civil Service Exam (Testing): Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are invited to take the ECH exam, which typically assesses knowledge of basic electrical principles, safety, mechanical aptitude, and problem-solving skills.
Eligible List: Successful candidates are placed on an Eligible List, ranked by their exam scores. Hiring departments then select from this list. A recent list was extended until February 2026, indicating active recruitment from previous exams.
Hiring and Placement: Candidates are interviewed and placed into various LADWP divisions, including Power System Construction, Maintenance, or Generation.

Proactive preparation for the ECH exam is highly recommended, as the competition for these stable, high-paying government jobs is intense. Resources like the LADWP Career Resource Toolkit and IBEW Local 18 contacts can provide study guidance.

Fact 5: Career Trajectory and Advancement Opportunities

The LADWP Electrical Craft Helper role is explicitly designed as a stepping stone, providing a clear path for advancement within the Department's skilled trades.

After gaining sufficient experience and completing the necessary training, ECH employees are eligible to test for journey-level positions, which come with a significant increase in pay and responsibility. The most common career paths include:

Electrical Mechanic: Focuses on the maintenance and construction of electrical equipment and systems in power plants, pumping stations, and substations.
Lineman/Cable Splicer: Specialized roles focusing on the overhead and underground distribution network that delivers power to the city.

The on-the-job training received as an ECH is credited toward the required experience for these advanced roles, solidifying the Electrical Craft Helper position as one of the best long-term career investments in the Los Angeles utility sector.

LADWP Electrical Craft Helper: 5 Essential Facts About the 2026 Career Path, Salary, and Training Program

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