Electrician Career Guide in Wisconsin
Explore electrician salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Wisconsin.
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How to Become an Electrician in Wisconsin
Wisconsin electricians commonly begin through a registered electrical apprenticeship that combines paid supervised work experience with related classroom instruction. Training covers electrical theory, residential and commercial wiring, blueprint reading, safety, and applicable electrical codes. Apprentices must remain properly registered and work within the supervision requirements that apply to their credential.
Most electricians in Wisconsin complete a state-registered construction electrician apprenticeship. The standard Construction Electrician apprenticeship takes approximately four years and includes 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 400 hours of paid related classroom instruction.
Wisconsin also requires apprentices in this pathway to complete First Aid/CPR certification, OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 construction training, and an eight-hour Transition to Trainer course. Industrial Electrician apprenticeships generally take about four years and include 7,600 hours of workplace training and 720 hours of paid related instruction.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Electrician Salary in Wisconsin
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Wisconsin median wage for electrician workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $62,350, the median wage in Wisconsin is approximately $12,740 higher. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Electricians in Wisconsin
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONElectrician Training Requirements in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician applicants generally qualify through completion of an approved electrical apprenticeship or another experience pathway accepted by the Department of Safety and Professional Services, followed by the required examination. Residential and industrial credentials have different scopes and qualification requirements. Applicants should verify the current pathway for the specific license they intend to obtain.
Electrical Theory & Calculations
Apprentices study voltage, amperage, resistance, circuitry, electrical calculations, conductor sizing, grounding, bonding, load calculations, and power distribution principles.
National Electrical Code & Wisconsin Codes
Training covers the National Electrical Code, Wisconsin electrical regulations, installation standards, permit requirements, inspections, overcurrent protection, and code-compliant wiring methods.
Residential & Commercial Wiring
Students learn to install service equipment, branch circuits, lighting systems, receptacles, panelboards, transformers, conduit, raceways, and other electrical equipment used in residential and commercial buildings.
Industrial Controls & Automation
Industrial training includes motors, motor controls, programmable logic controllers, variable-frequency drives, robotics, manufacturing equipment, control panels, and electrical troubleshooting.
Electrical Safety Training
Wisconsin construction electrician apprentices complete safety instruction that may include First Aid and CPR, OSHA 10 or OSHA 30, lockout/tagout procedures, arc-flash awareness, personal protective equipment, and fall protection.
Electrician Training Providers in Wisconsin
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee | View Program |
| Madison College | Madison | View Program |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay | View Program |
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton | View Program |
| Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESElectrician Apprenticeship Programs in Wisconsin
Industrial Electrician Apprenticeship
Organization: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Electrician Licensing Requirements in Wisconsin
Wisconsin requires individuals who install, repair, or maintain regulated electrical wiring to hold the appropriate electrician license or electrical apprentice registration, unless a specific statutory exemption applies. License scope differs between general, residential, and industrial electrical work. Businesses offering electrical contracting services must also maintain the applicable Electrical Contractor credential.
Electrical apprentices and Journeyman Electricians generally perform wiring work under the supervision of a licensed or registered Master Electrician. Electrical contracting businesses must also hold an Electrical Contractor License and use appropriately licensed or registered workers.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSElectrician Job Outlook in Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers stable demand for electricians because of its large manufacturing sector, food-processing facilities, commercial construction, healthcare systems, utilities, renewable energy projects, and modernization of industrial equipment.
Milwaukee and Madison provide the largest metropolitan employment markets, while Green Bay, Appleton, Racine, Kenosha, Eau Claire, and other manufacturing centers create additional demand for construction and industrial electricians. Wisconsin’s high concentration of production occupations also supports employment for electricians skilled in motors, programmable controllers, robotics, industrial automation, and preventive maintenance.
Wisconsin projects electrician employment to grow by approximately 14% from 2022 to 2032, increasing from about 12,040 to 13,710 jobs. The state is expected to have approximately 1,290 electrician openings per year, including openings created by employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupation.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the electrician salary in Wisconsin?
The statewide median wage for electricians in Wisconsin is approximately $75,090 per year, or $36.10 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Wisconsin require electrician licensing?
Yes. Wisconsin requires individuals performing regulated, non-exempt electrician work to hold the appropriate license or credential. Applicants should verify the current license category, experience, examination, and renewal requirements with Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).
How long does it take to become an electrician in Wisconsin?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A typical training pathway takes approximately 4–5 Years Apprenticeship, although licensing, apprenticeship, and employer requirements may differ.
Are electricians in demand in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin projects electrician employment to grow by approximately 14% from 2022 to 2032, with about 1,290 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Wisconsin Wages for Electrician (SOC 47-2111) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Wisconsin Electrician Wages
- Wisconsin Electrician Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Wisconsin Electrician Employment Trends
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Licensing authority. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)