Illinois has one of the most active union electrician markets in the country. IBEW Local 134 in Chicago is one of the largest IBEW locals in the US and negotiates some of the highest electrician wages in the Midwest. Chicago's enormous commercial construction market, major hospital systems, data center development, and active industrial sector all create consistent electrical demand. Downstate Illinois also has solid electrical markets in Peoria, Springfield, Rockford, and the Quad Cities.
Illinois Electrician Licensing
- City of Chicago Electrical Contractor License: Required to pull permits in Chicago. City-specific requirements.
- IBEW Union Journeyman Card: The primary practical credential for Chicago and Illinois commercial and industrial electricians.
- State of Illinois Electrical Contractor License: Required for commercial work outside Chicago in many jurisdictions.
- Solar PV installer: NABCEP certification increasingly required for solar electrical work in Illinois.
Top Electrician Schools in Illinois
- IBEW Local 134 JATC (Chicago): Free 5-year electrical union apprenticeship. One of the best in the Midwest.
- IBEW Local 701 JATC (Countryside): Free 5-year apprenticeship for the Chicago suburbs.
- Illinois Central College (Peoria): Electrical technology programs for Central Illinois.
- Rock Valley College (Rockford): Electrical programs for the Rockford area.
- College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn): Electrical technology for the western Chicago suburbs.
Electrician Salary in Illinois
- Apprentice (Chicago, year 1): Approximately $24-$28/hr
- Journeyman (Chicago, IBEW Local 134): $50-$64/hr with full benefits
- Journeyman (Chicago suburbs, IBEW): $44-$58/hr
- Journeyman (Peoria and downstate): $28-$40/hr
- Master Electrician and Contractor: Successful contractors earn $100,000-$300,000+/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Chicago?
IBEW Local 134 journeyman electricians in Chicago earn $50-$64/hr with full benefits including pension, health insurance, and annuity. Total compensation packages including all benefits are among the highest for electricians anywhere in the Midwest. Suburban IBEW locals pay $44-$58/hr.
How do I become an electrician in Illinois?
The most common path in the Chicago area is through an IBEW Local 134 or Local 701 apprenticeship. These provide free 5-year training with wages from day one. In downstate Illinois, community college electrical programs combined with OJT provide an alternative path. Illinois has state electrical contractor licensing requirements for commercial work.
Is there an electrician shortage in Illinois?
Yes. Chicago commercial construction, data center development, and the transition to renewable energy all create more electrical demand than the available workforce can fill. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity consistently lists electricians as high-demand shortage occupations.
What is IBEW Local 134?
IBEW Local 134 is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local union representing electricians in the city of Chicago. It is one of the largest IBEW locals in the US and negotiates some of the highest electrician wages in the Midwest. Local 134 runs a free 5-year apprenticeship program and represents members in collective bargaining with Chicago electrical contractors.
What is the Chicago commercial construction market like?
Chicago has one of the most active and sustained commercial construction markets in the Midwest. Hospital campus expansions, downtown high-rise development, data center construction, and transit infrastructure all create consistent electrical work. Unlike some markets that boom and bust, Chicago commercial construction has been relatively steady for decades due to the city's scale and economic diversity.
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