Should I relocate or join the IEC?

I live in Texas and was interested in starting my apprenticeship I was more interested in starting at a union (for the sole reason of better health care and pay). However I found out the pay is a whopping 13.70 that’s very obviously not a livable wage. I did see an ad online for a company that works with IEC for 16-26 an hour for apprenticeships. Should I join the IEC or move somewhere else?