BLS OEWS May 2025
Electrician Salary in Wisconsin 2026
Updated 22 June 2026
$76,540/yr median · $36.80/hr
State Median
$77k
vs. National
+$13k
Top 10%
$102k
COL-Adjusted
$82k
Electrician Salary Range in Wisconsin
The full wage spread for electricians (occupation 47-2111) in Wisconsin, 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
$45k
$44,830/yr
Lowest-paid 10%
Median (50th)
$77k
$76,540/yr
Typical electrician
90th percentile
$102k
$101,770/yr
Highest-paid 10%
An electrician in the bottom 10% of Wisconsin earners makes about $44,830/yr, while the top 10% earn $101,770/yr or more — a range of $56,940. 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 Wisconsin Ranks
Wisconsin ranks #12 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $63,190 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Wisconsin pays $13,350 above 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 $82,301/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
Estimated median pay for the top 5 metropolitan areas in Wisconsin, modelled from the state median and regional cost differentials (not BLS metro estimates).
| Metro Area | Median Annual | vs. State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Metro | $64,800 | -11.7k |
| Madison Metro | $63,200 | -13.3k |
| Green Bay | $58,400 | -18.1k |
| Appleton-Oshkosh | $56,800 | -19.7k |
| Racine-Kenosha | $62,400 | -14.1k |
Pay by Experience Level
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Wisconsin?
What is the salary range for electricians in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin rank for electrician pay?
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Wisconsin?
Are union electricians better paid in Wisconsin?
What is the job outlook for electricians in Wisconsin?
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.