electrician salary in illinois (2026)
Illinois electricians earn a median of $85,200 per year in 2026 — ranking #3 nationally behind New York ($90,100) and California ($88,600), and over 42% above the national median of $60,000. The premium is driven almost entirely by one thing: Chicago. The city's massive commercial construction market, one of the strongest IBEW locals in the country (Local 134), and a state prevailing wage law that extends union-level pay to public works projects all push wages far above what you'd find in most midwestern states.
But Illinois is really two markets. Chicagoland commands wages that rival the coasts, while downstate cities like Springfield and Champaign track closer to national averages. Here's the full breakdown.
illinois electrician salary by city
Salary varies by over $32,000 between Illinois metros — the gap between Chicago and Champaign is driven by union density, commercial construction volume, and the concentration of industrial infrastructure in the northern part of the state.
| city | median salary | vs. IL median | key driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Chicago | $95,400 | +12% | IBEW Local 134, commercial construction |
| 2 Naperville / suburbs | $87,600 | +3% | Data centers, residential |
| 3 Joliet | $82,100 | -4% | Industrial, logistics |
| 4 Peoria | $71,800 | -16% | Caterpillar, manufacturing |
| 5 Springfield | $68,400 | -20% | State government, utilities |
| 6 Rockford | $65,200 | -23% | Manufacturing, aerospace |
| 7 Champaign | $62,800 | -26% | University, residential |
Chicago data center boom: The western suburbs — particularly the I-88 corridor through Naperville, Aurora, and DeKalb County — have become one of the fastest-growing data center markets in the US. Meta, Microsoft, and multiple hyperscalers are building campuses that require hundreds of electricians for multi-year buildouts. This is pushing suburban wages toward Chicago-city levels and creating sustained demand that didn't exist five years ago.
salary by license level in illinois
Illinois has a formal state licensing system through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Unlike California, Illinois issues a real state journeyman license — you sit for a state exam after completing your apprenticeship. This is one of the more structured licensing paths in the country.
| level | IL salary range | how you get there | credential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (DOL-registered) | $38,000–$52,000 | Apply to JATC or open-shop program | DOL federal registration |
| Journeyman Electrician | $72,000–$98,000 | 4-yr apprenticeship + state exam | IDFPR journeyman license |
| Master Electrician | $95,000–$140,000 | Journeyman + 2 yrs + master exam | IDFPR master license |
| Electrical Contractor | $120,000–$180,000+ | Master license + business credentials | IDFPR contractor license |
what actually moves your salary in illinois
1. IBEW local 134 — the chicago factor
IBEW Local 134 represents inside wiremen in the Chicago metropolitan area and is one of the strongest electrical locals in the country. Local 134's collective bargaining agreement sets wage and benefit packages that far exceed open-shop rates — total compensation (wages + benefits + pension) for journeymen under the CBA routinely exceeds $110,000. Even if you're non-union, Local 134's wage floor pulls the entire Chicago market upward. This is the single biggest reason Illinois ranks #3 nationally.
2. prevailing wage — illinois has one
Like California, Illinois has a state prevailing wage law that applies to public works projects. This is significant: any publicly funded construction — schools, government buildings, infrastructure, water treatment plants — must pay electricians at rates determined by prevailing wage surveys, which typically match or exceed union CBA rates. In a state with heavy public infrastructure investment, this means a large share of available work pays at the top of the scale regardless of union status.
3. specialization and sector
The highest-paying specializations in Illinois right now:
- Data center construction — The I-88 corridor and Chicago suburbs are exploding with hyperscale data center builds. Critical power electricians on these projects earn 15–25% above standard commercial rates, with multi-year contract stability.
- EV manufacturing — Rivian's assembly plant in Normal, IL and the broader EV supply chain buildout require industrial electricians for production line installation, automation, and maintenance. This is a new demand category that barely existed three years ago.
- High-voltage transmission — Illinois's clean energy mandates and grid modernization projects require transmission line electricians across the state. Long-term contract work at premium rates.
- Aviation / O'Hare modernization — The O'Hare International Airport expansion and modernization project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Midwest, requiring hundreds of electricians over a multi-year timeline.
Illinois-specific tailwind: The state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) mandates a transition to 100% clean energy by 2050, with aggressive interim targets. This requires billions in grid infrastructure, solar installation, wind farm construction, and energy storage — all of which need electricians. Combined with the Chicago data center boom and Rivian's EV manufacturing expansion, Illinois has one of the strongest multi-decade demand outlooks for electricians in the Midwest.
how illinois compares to other states
| state | median salary | vs. illinois | note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $90,100 | +6% | NYC wages; IBEW Local 3 |
| California | $88,600 | +4% | 9.3% state income tax |
| Illinois | $85,200 | — | 4.95% flat state income tax |
| Texas | $67,200 | -21% | No state income tax |
| Florida | $58,400 | -31% | No state income tax, lower COL |
| National median | $60,000 | -30% | BLS OEWS 2024 |
Illinois's 4.95% flat state income tax is lower than California's top rate (9.3%) and New York's (10.9%), which means Illinois electricians keep more of their paycheck than their coastal counterparts. An Illinois electrician earning $85,200 takes home roughly the same as a Californian electrician earning $88,600 after state taxes — and Illinois's cost of living (outside Chicago proper) is significantly lower. When you factor in purchasing power, Illinois is arguably the best value among the top-3 states for electrical careers.
how to get licensed in illinois
Illinois has a clear, state-regulated licensing path through the IDFPR. Unlike California, there's a real state journeyman exam — and apprenticeships are federally registered through the US Department of Labor (Illinois is not a State Apprenticeship Agency state).
- Register as an apprentice through DOL — Apply to an IBEW JATC (Local 134 in Chicago, Local 117 in Joliet, Local 146 in Decatur, etc.) or an open-shop program registered with the US Department of Labor. Your program handles the federal registration.
- Complete the apprenticeship (4 years) — Work under journeyman supervision, attend related technical instruction, and accumulate the required OJT hours. Illinois programs typically require 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
- Pass the IDFPR journeyman exam — After completing your apprenticeship, apply to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and sit for the state journeyman electrician exam. This is a proctored, code-based exam.
- Work 2+ years as a journeyman, then sit for the IDFPR Master Electrician exam — master licensure requires 2 additional years of experience beyond journeyman status plus passing the master exam. Master Electricians can supervise journeymen and apprentices.
Apprenticeship tip: IBEW Local 134's JATC (the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust) in Alsip, IL is one of the largest and most competitive electrical apprenticeship programs in the US. Applications typically open annually and are highly competitive. Community college pre-apprenticeship programs at places like College of DuPage, Joliet Junior College, and City Colleges of Chicago can strengthen your application and aptitude test performance.
is electrician a good career in illinois right now?
The short answer: yes, and Illinois is one of the best states in the Midwest for it. Several forces are converging that make the next decade particularly strong:
- Chicago data center explosion — Hyperscale data center construction in the western suburbs is creating sustained, multi-year demand for hundreds of electricians. This is not a one-time bump — it's a structural shift that will persist as AI and cloud computing drive facility expansion.
- EV manufacturing — Rivian's Normal, IL plant and the growing EV supply chain are creating industrial electrical jobs that didn't exist five years ago. As EV production scales, so does the need for production line electricians and maintenance technicians.
- Clean energy mandates — CEJA's 100% clean energy by 2050 target requires billions in solar, wind, grid storage, and transmission infrastructure across the state.
- O'Hare modernization — One of the largest airport infrastructure projects in the US, creating sustained demand for commercial electricians over a multi-year timeline.
Hardhat's AI survival score for electricians is 79/100 — one of the highest in skilled trades. The hands-on, judgment-intensive nature of electrical work makes it extremely difficult to automate. In Illinois specifically, the combination of strong union representation, state licensing requirements, prevailing wage law, and concentrated demand drivers makes this one of the most economically secure career paths in the state.
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How much do electricians make in Illinois?
Illinois electricians earn a median of $85,200 per year in 2026 — the third-highest in the US behind New York and California. Ranges run from $38,000 for early apprentices to $180,000+ for electrical contractors. Chicago-area wages are significantly higher than downstate, with IBEW Local 134 driving the market.
Which Illinois city pays electricians the most?
Chicago pays the most at $95,400 median, driven by commercial construction and IBEW Local 134's strong collective bargaining agreement. Naperville and the western suburbs are second at $87,600, boosted by the data center boom and high-end residential work. Joliet is third at $82,100 due to industrial and logistics sector demand.
Does Illinois require an electrician license?
Yes. Illinois requires a state journeyman electrician license through the IDFPR (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation). You must complete a 4-year apprenticeship and pass the state journeyman exam. Master Electrician licensure requires 2 additional years of experience plus a separate state exam. This is a formal state credential — more structured than many states.
Is there demand for electricians in Illinois?
Yes — Illinois has strong and growing demand. The Chicago data center boom, Rivian's EV manufacturing in Normal, the state's clean energy mandates (CEJA), and the O'Hare modernization project all create sustained, multi-year demand. BLS projects 11%+ growth nationally; Illinois exceeds this rate due to concentrated infrastructure investments.
How long does it take to become an electrician in Illinois?
Plan on 4 years for the DOL-registered apprenticeship (through IBEW or an open-shop program). After that, you sit for the IDFPR journeyman exam. Master Electrician requires 2 additional years plus a separate exam. Total path to master: 6+ years. But you're earning journeyman wages ($72–98K) within 4–5 years, and apprentice wages start from day one.
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