Electrician Pay · Illinois

Electrician Salary in Illinois (2026)

Real pay by career stage, top employers, and apprenticeships — researched and maintained by a working journeyman. Updated 2026.

Illinois electricians earn solid, dependable money — and the trade is one of the few six-figure-capable careers you can enter with zero student debt. Apprentices earn a paycheck from day one, journeymen handle independent work at full scale, and master electricians who run jobs or own a business sit at the top. Overtime (ot adds $18-38k) can push take-home well above the base figures.

Illinois Electrician Pay Range

$72-128k

⏱ OT adds $18-38k

Pay by Career Stage in Illinois

Here's how electrician pay progresses in Illinois, from your first year as an apprentice to journeyman and master. Apprentices earn while they learn — no tuition, no student debt.

Apprentice$33/hr

Journeyman$61/hr

Master$74/hr

Before You Decide

Is Electrician Work Worth It vs College?

See how a Illinois electrician career stacks up against a four-year degree — lifetime earnings, debt, and net worth, side by side.

Run the Wealth Calculator → See the pay map →

Top Electrical Employers in Illinois

These are electrical contractors and firms Illinois electricians rate highly, based on field reviews. Pay, overtime, and culture vary between shops — ask around before you sign on.

Meade Electric★ 4.1 (24 reviews)

Royal Electric★ 4.0 (18 reviews)

Rosendin Electric★ 4.2 (20 reviews)

Apprenticeships & Training in Illinois

You don't pay your way into this trade — you get hired into it. These are the apprenticeship programs and schools that feed Illinois's electrical workforce. IBEW/NECA Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) and IEC chapters are the main routes; community and technical colleges offer pre-apprentice electrical programs.

IBEW Local 134 JATCApprenticeship (Chicago)

IBEW Local 51 JATCApprenticeship (Springfield)

How to Become an Electrician in Illinois

The path is the same proven route used across the country, applied locally: get your high school diploma or GED, work on the basics (math, mechanical aptitude, a clean driving record), and apply to an apprenticeship through one of the programs above. You'll spend roughly 4–5 years as a paid apprentice before testing out as a journeyman at full Illinois scale — then you can pursue a master electrician license.

For the complete step-by-step — aptitude tests, what the work is actually like, and how to stand out on an application — read our full guide to becoming an electrician.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Illinois?

In Illinois, electrician pay ranges roughly $72-128k depending on career stage. Apprentices start lower and journeymen earn the middle of that range, with master electricians and overtime pushing total pay higher. OT adds $18-38k.

How long does it take to become an electrician in Illinois?

Most electrician apprenticeships in Illinois run about 4 to 5 years. You earn a paycheck the entire time — apprentices are paid employees, not students paying tuition. By the end you test out as a journeyman, and can later pursue a master electrician license.

Do you need a degree to be an electrician in Illinois?

No. You need a high school diploma or GED and acceptance into an apprenticeship (IBEW/NECA or IEC). No four-year degree and no student debt. You'll also need to pass your state licensing exam to work as a journeyman or master.

Where do Illinois electricians find apprenticeships?

Through IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs), IEC (Independent Electrical Contractors) chapters, and community/technical college programs in Illinois. Top local employers include Meade Electric, Royal Electric, Rosendin Electric.