A skilled worker who has successfully finished their formal apprenticeship and holds the credentials to work independently in a specific trade. They are expected to handle standard tasks without supervision, troubleshoot common problems, and train new apprentices. While highly competent, they have not yet achieved the specialized expertise or business ownership status of a master.
Heard on the job
Hand the blueprints over to the journeyman. He can lay out the conduit run while the apprentices fetch the materials.
Insider tip
The term originally referred to a worker who was paid by the day, rather than being tied to one master.