Electrician in Illinois
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL
How to Become an Electrician in Illinois
To become a licensed electrician in Illinois, individuals must obtain a license through local municipalities or counties, as there is no statewide electrician license. Requirements typically include a high school diploma or GED and completion of an apprenticeship program or equivalent classroom and on-the-job training, often totaling around 8,000 hours of experience. Applicants must pass a local electrical exam, which varies by jurisdiction, such as the Supervising Electrician Examination for the City of Chicago. Illinois does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for electrician licensing.
Electrician Requirements in Illinois
| Detail | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Local municipalities and counties (e.g., City of Chicago Department of Buildings, Cook County Department of Building and Zoning) |
| State License Required | No |
| Education | High school diploma or GED; completion of an apprenticeship program or equivalent classroom instruction (typically 500-800 hours) |
| Experience Required | 8,000.0 hours |
| Exam | Varies by municipality (e.g., Supervising Electrician Examination for Chicago) |
| Notes | Illinois does not have a statewide electrician license. Licensing is regulated at the municipal or county level. Requirements, exams, and fees vary significantly by jurisdiction. For example, in Chicago, a Supervising Electrician must be at least 21 years old and have 2 years of experience. Cook County requires electrical contractors to register and have a supervising electrician licensed by a city, town, or village in Illinois with an electrical commission that administers an examination. Some municipalities may require general liability insurance (e.g., Cook County requires $1,000,000). |
Electrician Salary in Illinois
The median electrician salary in Illinois is $96,360 per year, which is 54.5% above the national median of $62,350.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $48,770 |
| 25th | $67,690 |
| 50th (median) | $96,360 |
| 75th | $108,230 |
| 90th (experienced) | $120,120 |
Illinois employs approximately 22,880 electricians.
Electrician Job Outlook
AI Impact on Electricians
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.78/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming an Electrician in Illinois Worth It?
Factors to consider: Illinois's cost of living, the lack of a state license requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.