BLS OEWS May 2025
Electrician Salary in Illinois 2026
Updated 22 June 2026
$99,560/yr median · $47.87/hr
State Median
$100k
vs. National
+$36k
Top 10%
$124k
COL-Adjusted
$102k
Electrician Salary Range in Illinois
The full wage spread for electricians (occupation 47-2111) in Illinois, from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%. All three figures are reported directly by the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (May 2025).
10th percentile
$49k
$49,240/yr
Lowest-paid 10%
Median (50th)
$100k
$99,560/yr
Typical electrician
90th percentile
$124k
$123,660/yr
Highest-paid 10%
An electrician in the bottom 10% of Illinois earners makes about $49,240/yr, while the top 10% earn $123,660/yr or more — a range of $74,420. The 10th-percentile figure is a real BLS wage observation (it typically reflects apprentices and newly-licensed journeymen), distinct from the modelled apprentice-entry estimate shown in the experience table below.
Where Illinois Ranks
Illinois ranks #2 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $63,190 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Illinois pays $36,370 above the national average.
Illinois's cost-of-living index is 98 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $101,592/yr in national-average dollar terms. Cost of living is near the national average.
Pay by Metro Area
Estimated median pay for the top 5 metropolitan areas in Illinois, modelled from the state median and regional cost differentials (not BLS metro estimates).
| Metro Area | Median Annual | vs. State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Metro | $88,400 | -11.2k |
| Rockford Metro | $68,400 | -31.2k |
| Peoria Metro | $64,800 | -34.8k |
| Springfield | $62,400 | -37.2k |
| Champaign-Urbana | $60,800 | -38.8k |
Pay by Experience Level
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1 - Chicago) | $22 - $27/hr | $46,000 - $56,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4-5) | $30 - $38/hr | $62,000 - $79,000 |
| Journeyman (IBEW Local 134 Chicago) | $52.10/hr base | $108,000+ (base) |
| Master Electrician | $58 - $72/hr (employee) | $121,000 - $150,000 |
| Self-Employed Contractor | $110 - $200/hr billed | $130,000 - $350,000+ net |
Illinois Licensing Requirements
See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing
Union Presence in Illinois
IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 134 (Chicago - one of the highest-paying Inside locals in the US), Local 461 (Northern Illinois), Local 117 (Rockford), Local 193 (Springfield)
Union share: approximately 42% of electricians in Illinois are union, with Chicago Metro near 65%.
Union electricians in Illinois typically earn 20-35% more in total compensation than non-union electricians, when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis
Job Outlook in Illinois
Illinois remains the top-paying state for electricians due to the power of IBEW Local 134 in Chicago and the density of industrial and commercial work in the metro. Future demand is driven by: data center expansion in the Chicago suburbs (Elk Grove Village is one of the largest data center markets in the US), offshore wind preparation on Lake Michigan, and Stellantis / electric vehicle assembly plant electrical work downstate.
Major Employers in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Illinois rank for electrician pay?
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Related Pages
State 10th-percentile, median, and 90th-percentile (top 10%) wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (47-2111). COL index: MERIC 2026. Metro, apprentice, and contractor figures are modelled estimates (not BLS). IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.