Independent salary reference. Not affiliated with BLS, IBEW, NECA, or any electrical contractor. All wage figures cite the source; individual earnings vary by employer, certifications, and market.
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BLS OES May 2024

Electrician Salary in Illinois 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$82,400/yr average · $39.62/hr

State Median

$82k

vs. National

+$21k

Top 10%

$116k

COL-Adjusted

$84k

Where Illinois Ranks

Illinois ranks #1 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Illinois pays $20,810 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 $84,082/yr in national-average dollar terms. Cost of living is near the national average.

Pay by Metro Area

BLS OES May 2024 MSA-level data. Top 5 metropolitan areas in Illinois.

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Chicago Metro$88,400++6.0k
Rockford Metro$68,400-14.0k
Peoria Metro$64,800-17.6k
Springfield$62,400-20.0k
Champaign-Urbana$60,800-21.6k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
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

Licensing AuthorityIllinois has NO statewide electrician licensing. Licensing is purely local (municipal/county). Chicago: City of Chicago Department of Buildings issues City of Chicago Electrical Contractor license. Other municipalities (Evanston, Naperville, Rockford) each have separate requirements.
Journeyman RequirementNo state journeyman license. Chicago issues a Journeyman Electrician license requiring 8,000 hours (4 years) OJT. Other cities vary; some have no local license requirement at all.
Master RequirementNo state master license. Chicago: Master Electrician License requires 7 years (14,000 hours) experience + passing the Chicago master exam. Other localities have separate requirements or none.
FeeChicago: $150 journeyman exam; $250 master exam (City of Chicago fee schedule)
ReciprocityNone at state level; Chicago license not recognized in other cities

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

Anixter (Wesco)Pepper Construction (electrical subs)Commonwealth Edison (ComEd)Ameren IllinoisLimbach Holdings

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Illinois?
Electricians in Illinois earn $82,400/yr ($39.62/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $50,000/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $116,000/yr.
How does Illinois rank for electrician pay?
Illinois ranks #1 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 98), the real purchasing power is $84,082/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Illinois?
No state journeyman license. Chicago issues a Journeyman Electrician license requiring 8,000 hours (4 years) OJT. Other cities vary; some have no local license requirement at all.. For master level: No state master license. Chicago: Master Electrician License requires 7 years (14,000 hours) experience + passing the Chicago master exam. Other localities have separate requirements or none..
Are union electricians better paid in Illinois?
Yes. IBEW Local 134 (Chicago - one of the highest-paying Inside locals in the US), Local 461 (Northern Illinois), Local 117 (Rockford), Local 193 (Springfield) operate in Illinois, with approximately 42% of electricians in Illinois are union, with Chicago Metro near 65%. Union electricians earn 20-35% more in total compensation when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
What is the job outlook for electricians 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.

Related Pages

All StatesLicensing RequirementsJourneyman SalaryMaster Electrician SalaryUnion vs Non-Union

Source: BLS OES May 2024 (47-2111), MERIC 2026 COL Index, IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.