How to Become an Electrician in Wisconsin (2026)
Wisconsin employs about 14,310 electricians earning a median $76,540 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an electrician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing credentialing requirements.
Wisconsin employs approximately 14,310 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $76,540 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 81,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an Electrician in Wisconsin, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $76,540 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become an Electrician in Wisconsin
How to become an Electrician in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as MASTER ELECTRICIAN, JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN, BEGINNER ELECTRICIAN. The licensing authority is the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths into the electrician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for electricians in Wisconsin is $76,540 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,830 and experienced professionals can earn $101,770 or more 1.
How to Become an Electrician in Wisconsin
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Wisconsin training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Wisconsin that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing, pass the required examination, and obtain the electrician credential before working unsupervised in Wisconsin.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Electrician License Requirements in Wisconsin
The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees electrician licensing in Wisconsin 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| MASTER ELECTRICIAN | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 101.862 (4), Stats. |
| JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN | Reason for Credential: A person who holds a credential issued by the department as a certified electrical contractor, certified electrical contractor-restricted, certified master electrician, certifie… |
| BEGINNER ELECTRICIAN | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 101.862 (4), Stats. |
| RESIDENTIAL MASTER ELECTRICIAN | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 101.862 (4), Stats. |
| RESIDENTIAL JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 101.862 (4), Stats. |
| INDUSTRIAL JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
| ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 101.862 (4), Stats. |
| RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 101.862 (4), Stats. |
| COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR | Reason for Credential: Pursuant s. 101.88 (2), Stats., no person may conduct the inspection of electrical installations in public buildings and places of employment for the purpose of administering an… |
| UDC ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR - ONE & TWO FAMILY HOMES | Reason for Credential: Pursuant s. 101.66 (2), Stats., no person may conduct the inspection of one- and two-family dwellings for the purpose of administering and enforcing chs. |
| INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE | Reason for Credential: Except as provided under s. 101.862 (4), Stats. |
| DESIGNER OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS - Electrical | A designer of engineering systems is an individual engaged in the preparation of plans and specifications, consultation, investigation and evaluation in connection with the preparation of plans and sp… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Electrician Apprenticeship Information in Wisconsin
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Wisconsin’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards
- Address: 201 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53707
- Phone: (608) 733-3930
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Wisconsin
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians working on federally funded construction projects in Wisconsin earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Wisconsin general wage determinations show approximately $50.86 per hour in base pay plus $28.26 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $79.12 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within electrician work.
Electrician Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), electricians wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 8,810 | $81,890 | $83,850 | $48,970 | $123,250 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 4,490 | $77,800 | $75,670 | $45,170 | $103,850 |
| Madison | 1,760 | $78,430 | $75,920 | $45,050 | $102,860 |
| Green Bay | 910 | $77,260 | $72,580 | $45,820 | $97,380 |
| Appleton | 810 | $66,830 | $69,390 | $44,620 | $97,130 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 810 | $77,080 | $75,600 | $45,830 | $98,820 |
| Duluth | 680 | $82,700 | $80,590 | $47,060 | $110,010 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 560 | $82,170 | $79,870 | $45,250 | $103,080 |
| Wausau | 480 | $78,680 | $70,720 | $41,530 | $86,790 |
| Sheboygan | 370 | $78,880 | $75,100 | $40,320 | $102,190 |
| Eau Claire | 350 | $75,380 | $72,540 | $44,450 | $92,630 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 350 | $82,510 | $79,180 | $45,500 | $106,820 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 320 | $78,760 | $77,680 | $45,800 | $108,870 |
| Fond du Lac | 170 | $77,060 | $74,330 | $45,290 | $116,610 |
| Kenosha | 120 | $74,970 | $71,120 | $39,650 | $98,240 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for electricians in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 14,310 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Wisconsin. You can also contact the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do electricians earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in Wisconsin is $76,540, which is $14,190 above the national median of $62,350 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/appr_stats/active_wtt.pdf ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |