How to Become an Electrician in Wisconsin

A career as an electrician is a great option if you live in Wisconsin and are looking for great job opportunities and security. The growth in careers for electricians in the state is set to rise by over 11 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a career that allows you to earn while you train and then, when licensed, to earn a great living working with your hands and helping people.[En Español]

Requirements for Becoming an Electrician in Wisconsin

Licenses are issued for journeyman, master and contractor electricians in Wisconsin through the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The department also registers apprentices. The first step in becoming an electrician in the state is to go through the training required to qualify for the exam to become a licensed journeyman electrician.

There are a few different options for getting the training needed to become a journeyman electrician. The first is to enroll in and complete an apprenticeship program, most of which are run through local union chapters. Another option is to complete a two-year degree program in electrical technology as well as an apprenticeship for at least three years. Finally, you can find an electrician willing to take on an apprentice and work in that role for four years to qualify. You can also get licensed as an industrial electrician, which requires five years of work experience with 1,000 hours of industrial work.

After working as a licensed journeyman in Wisconsin for a year you can take the exam and apply to be licensed as a master electrician. Alternatively, if you were never licensed as a journeyman, 10,000 hours of work experience can be used for qualification. As a master electrician you may choose to register as an electrical contractor, which allows you to offer services to customers and hire other licensed professionals.

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Wisconsin

One of the simplest ways to ensure you meet all the requirements for licensing in the state is to enroll in and complete an approved apprenticeship program. Local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) run Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs or JACs) to provide all the learning and training apprentices need to qualify for journeyman licensing. There are also non-union programs through the Associated Building Contractors.

• Wisconsin River Valley Area Electrical JAC
• Eau Claire Area Electrical JAC, Eau Claire
• Kenosha Area Electrical JAC, Kenosha
• Kettle Moraine Area Electrical JAC
• Madison Area Electrical JAC
• Milwaukee Area Electrical JAC
• Racine Area Electrical JAC
• South Central Wisconsin Area Electrical JAC
• ABC of Wisconsin

All of these programs have similar requirements for being accepted. These include having a high school diploma or GED, being at least 18 years old, having a driver’s license, having passed an algebra course, and taking and passing a basic skills and aptitude test.

Wisconsin Schools for Electricians

Instead of an apprenticeship program, you may choose to complete a two-year degree in electrical technology or a related field. With this degree you will only need three years of additional work experience as a registered apprentice.

• Western Technical College, La Crosse. Students at Western can choose to complete a two-year degree program in electromechanical technology to jumpstart a career as an electrician. The program counts as one year of experience for licensing and teaches students the fundamentals of electrical systems.
• Gateway Technical College, Kenosha. With a degree from Gateway in electrical engineering technology, students are prepared to work as an electrician’s apprentice. Graduates are also prepared to land an entry-level job in various electronic fields, as a technician.
• Madison Area Technical College, Madison. Students here have a unique opportunity to complete electrical classes on the college campus, while also working as an apprentice with a Wisconsin JATC. The program offers coursework, an apprenticeship position, paid work and all the requirements for licensing upon completion.

Outlook and Salary Expectations

The BLS reports that the outlook for anyone training to be an electrician in Wisconsin right now is positive. Growth in the industry is strong, with 12,700 employed electricians in 2023. That number is expected to grow to 14,130 by 2033. This is a growth of over 11 percent and an increase of 1,520 more jobs for qualified and licensed electricians.

The BLS also states that salaries for electricians in Wisconsin are strong. The average electrician in the state makes $73,810 per year (BLS May 2025 OEWS data). There is much more room for growth in income in this field, though. The top 10 percent of electricians in Wisconsin earn more than $101,770.

Salaries in Wisconsin by Occupation

Occupation	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Wage	Annual Salary 10th Percentile	Annual Salary 25th Percentile	Annual Salary 75th Percentile	Annual Salary 90th Percentile
Electricians	12,700	$35.89	$74,660	$44,570	$54,610	$84,870	$97,920
Helpers--Electricians	970	$18.78	$39,060	$31,470	$35,690	$45,760	$53,290
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	**	$23.02	$47,880	$25,110	$41,850	$87,370	$95,160
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	420	$30.45	$63,340	$42,480	$44,790	$70,760	$77,800
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	400	$54.18	$112,690	$83,210	$100,090	$125,050	$128,810
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	2,250	$49.21	$102,350	$71,580	$94,200	$109,100	$114,900

Electrician Salaries in Wisconsin by Region

Area	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Salary	Hourly Wage 10th Percentile	Hourly Wage 25th Percentile	Hourly Wage 75th Percentile	Hourly Wage 90th Percentile
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	19,390	$55.11	$114,640	$30.19	$48.23	$55.55	$56.55
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	280	$49.21	$102,350	$37.85	$48.20	$51.92	$53.58
Duluth, MN-WI	640	$47.12	$98,020	$29.41	$37.68	$48.28	$51.86
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	6,080	$51.08	$106,240	$36.93	$42.24	$52.70	$55.78
Appleton, WI	670	$47.75	$99,320	$38.27	$47.08	$50.91	$50.91
Green Bay, WI	590	$48.94	$101,800	$37.02	$47.94	$49.37	$55.69
Janesville-Beloit, WI	320	$48.08	$100,000	$23.59	$41.26	$51.34	$53.05
Madison, WI	2,150	$50.05	$104,100	$30.42	$39.09	$54.74	$56.11
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	3,280	$51.39	$106,880	$37.89	$48.84	$55.01	$57.49

Working as an Electrician in Wisconsin

As careers and job opportunities for electricians continue to grow, people training now can expect to have a choice of first jobs as journeymen. These electricians are often hired by electrical contractors, but they may also work for companies that need electricians, like industrial manufacturers, power plants, government agencies or building companies. With just a few years of paid training, you could have your pick of jobs in Wisconsin.

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Neighbor States

Residents of Wisconsin may also wish to review their options in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois.