- Illinois electricians earn $88,000/year on average.
Over 21,000 electricians work statewide, with 2,070 new openings annually through 2032. - Nearly 25% of skilled trades workers in Illinois are above 55, fueling growing demand.
- Idaho doesn’t have a statewide license.
- Each city sets unique exams and rules.
- Apprenticeships last 4-5 years, combining 8,000 hours of training plus classroom learning.
In Illinois, becoming a licensed electrician opens the door to a rewarding career with high demand and excellent pay. In fact, Illinois electricians earn some of the highest wages in the country. An average electrician in Illinois makes about $88,000 per year, which is well above the U.S. average. With over 21,000 electricians employed statewide and 2,070 projected job openings each year through 2032, the opportunities will be vast for newcomers. The construction industry is booming, and skilled electricians are needed to build and maintain everything from new homes to data centers. At the same time, nearly 25% of Illinois skilled trade workers are over age 55, and as electricians retire, even more jobs will emerge for the next generation.
Despite this strong demand, navigating the licensing process in Illinois can be confusing. Unlike many states, Illinois has no single statewide electrician license. Instead, licenses are issued by individual cities and municipalities, each with its own requirements and exams. For example, Chicago has its own electrical code and licensing exam, while smaller cities like Rockford or Springfield accept a standardized test or another city’s license.
In this guide, we will break down how to become a licensed electrician in Illinois, from apprenticeship programs and trade school options to taking the licensing exam and getting your electrician or contractor license. You’ll learn how much electricians earn in Illinois, including salary breakdowns by role and city (Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Springfield, Peoria, and more). We’ll also explore the job outlook and demand for electricians in the state, the typical length of electrician school and apprenticeship, and the costs involved in training and licensing. Additionally, we’ll cover Illinois electrical license types and city-specific license requirements.
Table of Contents
What are the Different Types of Electrician Licenses in Illinois?
In Illinois, electrical licenses come in a few different forms and are largely defined by local jurisdictions. Here are the main Illinois electrician license types you are going to encounter:
Apprentice Electrician
Technically, an apprentice isn’t a licensed electrician, and Illinois does not require a state apprentice license to begin work. Apprentices are individuals in training who work under supervision. While no license is needed to be an apprentice, you often must register with an apprenticeship program or union. The apprentice stage is when you accumulate the on-the-job training experience, which will be needed for later licensing.
Journeyman Electrician License
A journeyman license is typically the first level of licensure after completing training. Many Illinois cities offer a journeyman electrician license to those who finish a four-year apprenticeship and pass the journeyman electrician examination. You can legally perform electrical work independently (without direct supervision) and may supervise apprentices. However, journeymen are usually not allowed to pull permits or operate an electrical contracting business on their own in many jurisdictions. You often have to work for a licensed electrical contractor or master electrician.
Electrical Contractor License (General)
The electrical contractor license is the most common license issued by Illinois municipalities. Despite the name “contractor,” it often serves a similar role to a master electrician license in other states. An individual with an electrical contractor license can supervise electrical work at all levels, pull permits, and essentially act as the responsible electrician for a business. In many Illinois cities, this is the highest electrician license you can obtain locally. You are often required to include several years of experience and pass a comprehensive exam. For example, in cities that skip a journeyman license, you might go straight to an electrical contractor license after 4 years of experience and a test.
Chicago’s Supervising Electrician Licenses
Chicago, being the largest city, has a unique system. The City of Chicago offers two types of supervising electrician licenses (sometimes also referred to as electrical contractor licenses in their terminology):
General Supervising Electrician: This license allows you to perform all types of electrical work covered by the Chicago Electrical Code without limitation. It’s essentially the broad electrical license for Chicago.
Low-Voltage Supervising Electrician: This specialized license is limited to low-voltage electrical systems like Class 1, 2, 3 remote control and signaling circuits, alarm and communication systems, etc. It’s required if you only plan to work on things like alarm systems, telecom, or other power-limited wiring in Chicago.
To obtain either of these Chicago licenses, you must be at least age 21 and have two years of documented electrical work experience under a licensed electrician in the trade and pass the respective city exam. Once you hold a Chicago supervising electrician license, you can also register your business to operate as an electrical contractor in the city, which requires insurance, bonding, etc., through the Chicago Department of Buildings.
Specialty Electrical Licenses
Some municipalities might have or accept specialty certifications. For example, the City of Aurora accepts International Code Council (ICC) certifications for Standard Master Electrician (commercial), Residential Electrician, and Sign Electrician in lieu of a local test. These essentially function as specialty licenses (commercial, residential, or sign wiring categories). Not all cities issue separate specialty licenses, but they may honor certifications like those from the ICC.
How To Become A Licensed Electrician in Illinois?
Becoming a licensed electrician in Illinois involves a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and passing a local licensing exam. Because Illinois does not issue a statewide electrician license, the exact steps can vary depending on the local electrical requirements of any city or county where you plan to work.
However, the general pathway is similar across the state. Here’s an overview of how to become a licensed electrician in Illinois:
Step 1: Meet The Minimum Qualifications
You typically must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and possess a valid driver’s license to start training. Basic math skills, especially algebra, are important, as many apprenticeship programs require a passing score on an aptitude and algebra test.
Step 2: Enroll in an Electrical Training Program or Apprenticeship
Most Illinois electricians start by joining an apprenticeship program, which combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction. An apprenticeship in Illinois usually lasts 4 to 5 years and includes around 8,000 hours of supervised work experience plus hundreds of hours of classroom learning. During this time, you will learn the trade under the guidance of experienced electricians and earn a wage as you progress.
Step 3: Gain Required Work Experience
By the end of your apprenticeship, you will have the work experience needed to qualify for a journeyman-level exam in most cities. In many Illinois municipalities, about 4 years of experience (8,000 hours) is the standard prerequisite for licensing. Some cities may require a bit more or less. For example, Chicago requires a minimum of two years of electrical work experience under a licensed electrician to sit for its exam, along with a 21-year age minimum, whereas other cities expect a full four-year apprenticeship.
Step 4: Pass a Local Licensing Exam
Next, you must pass the electrician licensing exam for the city or jurisdiction where you want to be licensed. The exam is usually equivalent to a journeyman electrician exam and tests your knowledge of electrical theory, the National Electrical Code (NEC), safety practices, and local electrical codes. Upon passing the exam, you will earn an electrical license or certification for that locality.
Step 5: Obtain Your License and Registration
After passing the exam, you must apply for the actual license through the city. This often involves submitting an application form, paying a license fee, and showing proof of things like work experience or insurance. Once approved, you’ll receive a municipal electrician license that will allow you to legally work as an electrician in that area. However, you may need to register as a contractor as well if you plan to operate independently.
Step 6: Consider Becoming an Electrical Contractor
If your goal is to run your own electrical business, you will usually need to take one more step to become a licensed Electrical Contractor. In many Illinois cities, a licensed electrical contractor is essentially the business license for electrical work. It allows you to pull permits and advertise your services. To get an electrical contractor license, you typically must already have a journeyman-level or supervising electrician license and then meet additional requirements like carrying liability insurance and paying a contractor registration fee.
For example, in Cook County (which includes Chicago), you must first be a licensed Supervising Electrician, and then you can apply for an independent electrical contractor registration along with proof of insurance.
Step 7: Work and Keep Up with License Renewals
Once licensed, you can work as an electrician in that city or municipality. However, you must renew your license annually. Renewal often requires paying a renewal fee and sometimes completing continuing education. For example, Chicago’s electrical license must be renewed every year for $150. Some places may have multi-year renewal cycles, like Chicago’s supervising electrician certificate, which can be valid for up to four years before renewal, depending on when you passed the exam. If you fail to renew on time, it can result in expiration, which might require re-testing or extra fines.
Illinois Training Schools and Apprenticeship Programs
Training is a crucial part of becoming an electrician, and Illinois offers many programs to get the skills and experience required. Broadly, you have two paths: union apprenticeships (through IBEW/NECA), non-union or independent apprenticeships (through organizations like ABC or IEC), or trade school or community college programs (often combined with an apprenticeship later). Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Union Apprenticeships (IBEW): The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), in partnership with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), runs joint apprenticeship training committees (JATCs) in various Illinois locals. These are highly regarded programs that typically last 5 years for inside wiremen (electricians).
For example, IBEW Local 134 in Chicago has an apprenticeship where you work and take classes (often through the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute). IBEW Local 461 (Aurora) and IBEW Local 364 (Rockford) are other examples of union locals training apprentices in Illinois. Union apprenticeships usually cost minimal tuition. In fact, apprentices earn a wage and benefits while they learn, with incremental raises each year. You do need to apply and meet entry requirements, usually a qualifying score on an aptitude test, a drug test, and sometimes an interview. Union apprenticeship openings can be competitive due to high demand.
Independent Apprenticeships (Non-Union): There are also non-union apprenticeship programs often run by contractor associations or companies. In Illinois, groups like the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC Illinois Chapter) and the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) offer apprenticeship training. These programs also combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, typically over 4 years. Non-union programs can sometimes be more flexible in start dates and might have tuition costs (sometimes the employer covers them, or trainees pay a fee or use grant programs). The IEC Certified Professional Electrician (CPE) designation is a respected certification that comes through completing the IEC program. Regardless of union or non-union, both paths ultimately provide the 8,000 hours of experience needed for licensing.
Trade School and Community College Programs: Many aspiring electricians in Illinois opt to start with a trade school or community college program in electrical technology. These programs, which can last from a few months up to 2 years, provide fundamental knowledge of electrical theory, circuitry, code, and often some hands-on labs. For example, Illinois Central College (East Peoria) has a 2-year Associate’s in Industrial Electrical Technology that prepares students for entry-level electrician work and apprenticeships, John Wood Community College (Quincy) offers a two-year electrical technology degree and even a shorter certificate option, Kankakee Community College provides programs in industrial electrical technology with options to specialize in areas like renewable energy or industrial controls, and Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield) runs a 16-week Electrical Distribution Lineman training for those focusing on utility line work, as well as other electrical courses.
There are also a few notable Illinois Electrical Training Programs. Here are a few renowned programs/resources that you can consider:
IBEW-NECA Apprenticeships: IBEW Local 134 (Chicago), Local 176 (Joliet), Local 146 (Decatur), etc. You have to contact your local IBEW hall or visit the IBEW/NECA apprenticeship websites for applications.
IEC Apprenticeship Illinois: The Independent Electrical Contractors have chapters and training in Illinois (often in the Chicagoland area or through IEC Midwest). IEC programs are recognized nationwide.
ABC Illinois Apprenticeship: Associated Builders & Contractors Illinois chapter runs electrician apprenticeships, especially for those in the commercial and industrial sectors.
Illinois Apprenticeship Finder: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship.gov site is a good place to search for “electrician” programs in Illinois.
Community Colleges: Beyond the ones mentioned (ICC, John Wood, Kankakee CC, Lincoln Land CC), other colleges like Triton College, City Colleges of Chicago, and others may have electrical or HVAC programs worth checking.
Utility Company Programs: For linemen (outside electricians working on power lines), the power companies like ComEd (northern IL) and Ameren (central/southern IL) offer training pipelines. Some have bootcamp-style training for lineworkers, followed by apprenticeships. (See the Lineman section next.)
Illinois requires real experience to become licensed, so on-the-job training is indispensable. Classwork will make you a better electrician, but the state (via its cities) ultimately wants to see you’ve put in the hours turning screws, pulling cable, bending conduit, and troubleshooting in the field.
How Long Is Electrician School In Illinois?
Becoming a fully qualified, licensed electrician in Illinois usually takes around 4 to 5 years of classroom training and on-the-job experience. There isn’t a quick three-month course to bypass this. The trade is just too complex and safety-critical. However, you’re typically paid during those years if you’re an apprentice, unlike someone who might be in college, accruing debt. So, while it’s a longer training period, you’ll emerge debt-free or even financially ahead.
In conclusion, an electrician school in Illinois (through an apprenticeship) lasts about four years, with programs sometimes extending to five years. If you choose a college program, that’s up to two years, followed by additional apprenticeship time. So either way, plan on several years from start to finish. It’s a commitment, but one that pays off with a stable and well-paying career.
Illinois Electrician License Requirements
Basic requirements for getting an electrician license in Illinois are similar across the board. You must be at least 18 (21 in Chicago) with a high school diploma or GED.
Most Illinois licenses require you to have completed an apprenticeship or equivalent electrical training and to have proof of work experience. For example, Chicago mandates at least 2 years of experience in installing electrical systems under the supervision of a licensed electrician. When you apply for a license exam, you’ll often need to submit documentation of your hours or a letter from your employer. Make sure to keep records of your apprenticeship hours and tasks. Some cities have specific forms for your employer to sign off on your work history.
The licensing exam requires passing scores of 75% or higher. You may take the exam through a third-party like Pearson VUE or ICC for many cities, or through a city’s testing contractor. Exam fees generally run in the $50 to $100 range per attempt.
After passing, you will have to submit a license application to the city, often with a fee. You might need to show proof of insurance and bonding if it’s a contractor license. Some municipalities might also run a background check.
Does My Illinois Electrician License Work In Any Other States?
No. Because Illinois has no statewide electrician license, it has no formal reciprocity agreements with other states.
In other words, no U.S. state officially accepts an “Illinois electrician license” since such a license is issued by a city, not by the state of Illinois. Likewise, Illinois can’t reciprocate licenses from elsewhere at the state level. However, practical reciprocity does exist at the local level. State law in Illinois urges municipalities to recognize electrical licenses issued by other Illinois municipalities. Many cities will accept a license from another city as proof of qualification.
For example, Rockford, IL, simply asks for proof of any other Illinois municipality’s electrical license or registration (or you can just pay $25) to register as an electrician there. This means if you get licensed in one Illinois city, you often can work in many others after a simple registration, though in practice, not every city automatically honors every other city’s license. But you must always check locally, as sometimes politics or local code differences can complicate this “reciprocity.”
How Much Does It Cost To Become An Electrician in Illinois?
When you are considering the cost to become an electrician in Illinois, you have to factor in training, education costs, and licensing costs. However, becoming an electrician is often far less expensive than many other careers, especially if you go the apprenticeship route. Let’s break down the potential costs:
Training and Education Costs:
Training and education costs can vary depending on the path you are taking to start out your electrical career. Here is an approximate breakdown of the most common paths people in Illinois go for:
Costs To Consider | Apprenticeship Path | Trade School Path |
Tuition | $0-$5,000 depending on employer and union support | $5,000-$20,000 depending on the school or program type |
Books and Materials | $500-$1,000 per year, which is covered by the employer or the union in many cases | $1,000-$2,000 |
Tools | $500-$1,000 for basic hand tools | $500-$1,000 for basic hand tools |
Wages during training | $30,000-$40,000 | No wages |
Total training cost | $1,500 over 4 years, after wages offset most costs | $5,000-$3,000 before earning |
Licensing and Exam Costs:
The licensing and exam costs can vary depending on the city you are living in. Here is a general overview of the common cities and their corresponding licensing and exam costs:
City | Exam Fee | Initial Licensing Fee | Renewal Fee |
Chicago | $150 | $150 | $150 |
Libertyville | $60 | $40 | $100 per year |
Naperville | $50 | – | No renewal |
Buffalo Grove | $75 | $75 | $50 per year |
Elgin | $260 | $260 | $25 per year |
Additional Potential Costs For Electrical Contractors
If you are starting your own electrical business, then you need to factor in additional costs for insurance and business registration. Here is a more detailed breakdown:
Cost Category | Estimated Cost |
Surety bond for contractors | $100 annually |
General Liability Insurance and workers’ compensation | $500-$1,000 per year |
Business Registration | $150 for state LLC filing, with $50-$100 for local business license |
Can I Do My Own Electrical Work in Illinois?
If you are not a licensed electrician but want to perform electrical work for hire, the answer is no, you legally cannot advertise or perform electrical contracting without the proper license. As an employee, an unlicensed individual can work under the supervision of a licensed electrician (that’s essentially what an apprentice does). But you cannot operate independently or pull permits without a license. Doing so can result in code enforcement action, fines, or liability issues. So if you’re a handy person thinking of doing side electrical jobs, it’s illegal to do significant electrical installations or repairs for others without a license in most of Illinois. Many areas have enforcement that can issue stop-work orders or fines if unlicensed work is detected.
Typically, tasks like replacing existing switches or outlets, installing light fixtures or ceiling fans on an existing box, and other one-for-one replacements can be done by homeowners. Anything that involves running new wiring, adding circuits, altering the electrical service, or working inside the main electrical panel is usually off-limits without a license. Also, anything above a certain voltage or certain specialized systems like solar panel hookups, generator interlocks, etc., often require licensed installation by law or code.
How Much Does a Licensed Electrician Make in Illinois?
The average annual wage for an electrician in Illinois is around $88,000, which is roughly $42 per hour. It places Illinois at the top spot among states for electrician pay. The median wage is a bit lower, in the $60,000 to 75,000 range. The U.S. national average for electricians is about $62,000 as of 2024, so Illinois electricians make significantly more on average.
However, a lot of Illinois’ high wages are driven by the Chicago metropolitan area. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro, which includes Chicago and many suburbs plus a slice of Indiana, electricians earn about $92,320 per year on average.
Here is a breakdown of the average wage in Illinois based on the license category:
Electrician Role | Average Pay In Illinois |
Apprentice electrician | $49,700 per year |
Journeyman electrician | $74,880 per year |
Electrical Contractor | $103,112 per year |
Are Electricians In Demand In Illinois?
Yes, very high. In fact, Illinois and the U.S. at large face a scenario where the demand is outpacing the supply of new electricians. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% growth nationally from 2023 to 2033 for electricians, which is much faster than average. As of the latest count, there are about 24,700 electricians employed in Illinois. This number grew from the low 20-thousands earlier in the decade, indicating the workforce has expanded to meet rising demand. According to a recent survey, 7 in 10 electricians nationwide see a shortage of experienced electricians in the workforce. The bottom line is that as a newly licensed electrician in Illinois, you’re entering a field where jobs are plentiful and likely will remain so for years.
Illinois Licensing Exam
The electrician licensing exams in Illinois are administered locally, but they cover largely the same material across the state. Here’s what you need to know about the topics that are generally covered in the exams:
Exam Topic Area | Description |
National Electrical Code (NEC) | The main focus of most questions is the ability to look up code rules on wiring methods, load calculations, box and conduit fill, grounding and bonding, etc. You are allowed to use the NEC book during the exam. |
Local Electrical Code | City-specific amendments or codes (e.g., Chicago Electrical Code differences). |
Electrical Theory & Principles | Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Law, basic circuit calculations (voltage, current, resistance), motor theory, transformer basics. |
Electrical Installation Practices | Proper installation of wiring, devices, panels, etc. Questions may cover things like box fill calculations, conduit bending, wire sizing, and materials. |
Safety Regulations | OSHA regulations and general job safety (lockout/tagout, PPE, ladder safety). |
Fire Alarm and Low-Voltage Systems | Knowledge of fire alarm system requirements, low-voltage wiring classifications (Class 1,2,3 circuits), and communications circuits. These may appear, especially if you are going for a license that includes these systems (or a dedicated low-voltage license in Chicago). |
However, each area has its own electrical exam schedule. For example, Chicago offers its supervising electrician exam twice a year. Peoria gives its exam three times a year: April, August, and December. Some suburbs offer exams monthly or quarterly. Deerfield offers an exam monthly on Thursdays, and Schaumburg offers three times a year. On the other hand, many cities have stopped giving their own exams and instead accept a passing score on a standardized test. Municipalities like Aurora, Naperville, Bloomington, and others have “No new testing renewals only” policies, meaning they don’t proctor exams anymore. Instead, you can take an ICC exam or test in another city, and then apply for a license locally using that score. The ICC National Electrician exams (such as the W16 Master Electrician exam or the E1 Journeyman Electrician exam) are also available on-demand at approved testing centers (Pearson VUE), so that’s an avenue for year-round testing if your city honors those.
Conclusion
The electrical trade is continuously evolving. The year 2025 and beyond will bring new technologies like smart homes, electric vehicles, advanced automation, renewable energy integration, and electricians will be at the forefront of implementing them. Illinois has initiatives to expand EV charging infrastructure and modernize the power grid. By becoming a licensed electrician, you will be positioning yourself to be a key player in this future. Not only will you have job security and good income, but you’ll also have the pride of working in a respected trade that literally powers people’s lives and the economy.
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