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 Wisconsin 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$61,200/yr average · $29.42/hr

State Median

$61k

vs. National

$0k

Top 10%

$92k

COL-Adjusted

$66k

Where Wisconsin Ranks

Wisconsin ranks #13 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Wisconsin pays $390 below the national average.

Wisconsin's cost-of-living index is 93 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $65,806/yr in national-average dollar terms. The below-average cost of living means electricians here retain more purchasing power than the nominal wage suggests.

Pay by Metro Area

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

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Milwaukee Metro$64,800++3.6k
Madison Metro$63,200++2.0k
Green Bay$58,400-2.8k
Appleton-Oshkosh$56,800-4.4k
Racine-Kenosha$62,400++1.2k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$17 - $22/hr$35,000 - $46,000
Apprentice (Year 4)$24 - $32/hr$50,000 - $67,000
Journeyman$30 - $44/hr$62,000 - $91,000
Master Electrician$36 - $52/hr$75,000 - $108,000
Self-Employed Contractor$85 - $160/hr billed$85,000 - $215,000 net

Wisconsin Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Journeyman RequirementWisconsin Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours OJT (5 years for part-time apprentices) + complete Department-approved apprenticeship + pass Wisconsin Journeyman exam. Wisconsin also issues Industrial Journeyman and Residential Journeyman as distinct credentials
Master RequirementWisconsin Master Electrician: 1,000 hours as licensed Journeyman + pass Master Electrician exam (DSPS administered)
Fee$30 exam + $100 license issuance (Wisconsin DSPS fee schedule)
ReciprocityWisconsin has reciprocity arrangements with Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska (verify with DSPS for current scope)

See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing

Union Presence in Wisconsin

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 494 (Milwaukee), Local 159 (Madison), Local 158 (Green Bay), Local 577 (Appleton), Local 715 (Racine)

Union share: approximately 27% of electricians in Wisconsin are union.

Union electricians in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

Wisconsin electricians benefit from Microsoft's $3.3 billion Mount Pleasant data center campus (Racine County) representing a multi-year electrical construction commitment, Foxconn campus continued buildout, Milwaukee health-system expansion (Froedtert, Aurora Health), and steady manufacturing-sector work across the Fox Valley. Eaton Corporation, Generac, and Briggs & Stratton headquarters add industrial electrical demand.

Major Employers in Wisconsin

Pieper ElectricMortenson Electric (formerly Faith Technologies)Staff ElectricWe Energies (WEC Energy Group)Westphal Electric

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Wisconsin?
Electricians in Wisconsin earn $61,200/yr ($29.42/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $39,200/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $92,400/yr.
How does Wisconsin rank for electrician pay?
Wisconsin ranks #13 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 93), the real purchasing power is $65,806/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours OJT (5 years for part-time apprentices) + complete Department-approved apprenticeship + pass Wisconsin Journeyman exam. Wisconsin also issues Industrial Journeyman and Residential Journeyman as distinct credentials. For master level: Wisconsin Master Electrician: 1,000 hours as licensed Journeyman + pass Master Electrician exam (DSPS administered).
Are union electricians better paid in Wisconsin?
Yes. IBEW Local 494 (Milwaukee), Local 159 (Madison), Local 158 (Green Bay), Local 577 (Appleton), Local 715 (Racine) operate in Wisconsin, with approximately 27% of electricians in Wisconsin are union. 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin electricians benefit from Microsoft's $3.3 billion Mount Pleasant data center campus (Racine County) representing a multi-year electrical construction commitment, Foxconn campus continued buildout, Milwaukee health-system expansion (Froedtert, Aurora Health), and steady manufacturing-sector work across the Fox Valley. Eaton Corporation, Generac, and Briggs & Stratton headquarters add industrial electrical demand.

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.

Updated 2026-04-27