Electrician in Illinois: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Illinois employs 23,120 electricians, with a statewide median of $99,560 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Illinois licensing picture, and where to train.
What Electricians Earn in Illinois (May 2025)
- Illinois median pay
- $99,560 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $49,240
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $117,460
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $123,660
- Employed in Illinois
- 23,120
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,350 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Illinois markets:
- Chicago metro
- $102,350 (17,720 employed)
- Champaign–Urbana
- $100,320 (410 employed)
- Rockford
- $93,280 (370 employed)
- Springfield
- $84,780 (330 employed)
- Peoria
- $80,460 (880 employed)
- Bloomington
- $79,430 (330 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Illinois
Prices in Illinois run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $99,560 median holds roughly its face value.
Job Outlook in Illinois (2024–2034)
Illinois is projected to grow electricians employment +9.7%, about in line with the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 2,380 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Illinois License and Certification Requirements
Municipal licenses — Chicago Supervising Electrician is the major one — regulated by the Local municipalities (no IL state license) — Chicago Department of Buildings in the city.
- Illinois has no statewide electrician license — cities and counties set their own rules. Chicago licenses Supervising Electricians and electrical contractors; many suburbs and downstate towns require registration with a licensed contractor.
- Train through IBEW apprenticeships (Local 134 Chicago is one of the largest in the country; Local 146 Decatur, Local 193 Springfield) or non-union shops.
- Chicago's Supervising Electrician exam (via Continental Testing) requires age 21+ and documented experience — it's the credential that lets a business pull permits in the city.
Training in Illinois
IBEW Local 134's apprenticeship is the premium Chicago path — paid training and top-tier wages. Downstate, employer reputation matters more than credentials; community colleges (College of DuPage, Joliet) run solid electrical programs.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Illinois include:
- City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College — Certificate
- City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College — Certificate / Associate
- College of DuPage — Certificate / Associate
- College of Lake County — Associate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.
Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.
Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
First Steps
Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Illinois?
The median wage for electricians in Illinois is $99,560 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $49,240, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $123,660. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Illinois?
Municipal licenses — Chicago Supervising Electrician is the major one, overseen by the Local municipalities (no IL state license) — Chicago Department of Buildings in the city. Illinois has no statewide electrician license — cities and counties set their own rules. Chicago licenses Supervising Electricians and electrical contractors; many suburbs and downstate towns require registration with a licensed contractor.
Is being an Electrician a good career in Illinois?
Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
Which Illinois metros pay electricians the most?
Among Illinois metro areas, Chicago metro leads at $102,350, followed by Champaign–Urbana ($100,320), Rockford ($93,280). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Electrician in Illinois?
Real Illinois options include City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College, City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College, College of DuPage. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Electrician a growing career in Illinois?
Illinois projects electricians employment to change +9.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,380 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Illinois statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Local municipalities (no IL state license) — Chicago Department of Buildings in the city (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Illinois wages · Illinois licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.