Becoming an electrician in Wisconsin

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1 paid apprenticeship and 3 school programs are listed here.

Jump to: License · Training · Pay

Licensing
Statewide worker license
Time to qualify
See the steps below experience for each license
Median pay
$76,540 $36.80 an hour
Outlook
1,470 openings a year, projected · 15% growth, 2024–2034

Do I need a license?

Yes. Wisconsin licenses electricians statewide. The journeyman-level credential is the Journeyman Electrician License, issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Source: Wisconsin State Legislature (Wis. Stat. ch. 101), checked .

Before you start: You need this state credential before you start electrical work in Wisconsin. Credential: Registered electrician enrollment (DSPS registration for unlicensed workers, including apprentices), issued by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Official source, checked .

Your path, step by step

  1. Registered Electrician Enrollment

    Experience
    Not stated
    Classroom
    Not stated
    Exam
    None required

    Source: Wisconsin DSPS, Electrician, Registered - New Licensure · Find a paid apprenticeship in Wisconsin

  2. Journeyman Electrician License

    Experience
    8,000 hours
    Classroom
    Not stated
    Exam
    Required
    Holding the previous license
    Not stated

    Source: Wisconsin Statutes s. 101.87 (Requirements for journeyman electricians)

  3. Master Electrician License

    Experience
    Not stated
    Classroom
    Not stated
    Exam
    Required
    Holding the previous license
    At least 1 year

    Source: Wisconsin Statutes s. 101.868 (Requirements for master electricians)

Each step lists what its official source states for that license. Hours aren't added up across steps; a step says whether its hours include earlier steps' only where its source does. "Not stated" means the source doesn't give it. Checked .

Full Wisconsin licensing requirements · 11 more licenses · How licensing works

How do I train?

Apprenticeships pay you while you learn. Schools teach first, then you find work. Which is right for me?

Paid apprenticeships 1

Wisconsin apprenticeships (1)

School programs 3

Wisconsin schools (3)

What does it pay?

What the work pays here, and how to decide.

Electricians in Wisconsin earn a median of $76,540 a year ($36.80 an hour), according to BLS May 2025 OEWS estimates. That is about 21% above the national median of $63,190. About one in ten electricians here earns under $44,830 a year and about one in ten over $101,770.

Employment is projected to grow 15% over 2024–2034, with about 1,470 openings a year.

Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS · Projections Central · Wisconsin salary details

Nearby states: Illinois 3 · Iowa 2 · Michigan 2 · Minnesota 4

Listings here last checked