The average salary for a Electrician in Chicago is 73,099 $ per year on a 40-hour full-time equivalent, or 6,092 $ gross per month and 35.14 $ gross per hour. The reported full-time salary range is 29,200 $ to 117,273 $. The analysis is based on 39 salary reports from workers and employers in Chicago. Part-time salaries are proportionally converted to 40 weekly hours so the values are comparable.
| Date | Job title | Weekly hours | Reported gross/year | Normalized to 40h/year | Gross/month 40h | Gross/hour 40h | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/10/2026 | Master Electrician - Facility Operations | 44.0 h | 129,000 $ | 117,273 $ | 9,773 $ | 56.38 $ | As a master electrician overseeing facility operations at a large institutional campus, I manage staff, capital projects, and compliance which command a higher salary. |
| 04/27/2026 | Maintenance Electrician - Lead | 40.0 h | 82,000 $ | 82,000 $ | 6,833 $ | 39.42 $ | I lead the electrical maintenance team for a mid-size distribution center, handling preventive maintenance and emergency repairs. I mentor two junior electricians. |
| 04/03/2026 | Electrical Project Manager | 44.0 h | 118,000 $ | 107,273 $ | 8,939 $ | 51.57 $ | I manage electrical projects for a regional contractor, overseeing budgets, schedules, and crews. I have a technical background but spend significant time on logistics and client relations. |
| 02/11/2026 | Lead Residential Electrician - Luxury Renovations | 40.0 h | 94,000 $ | 94,000 $ | 7,833 $ | 45.19 $ | I lead high-end residential electrical projects doing custom lighting and smart home integration. My role includes client meetings and supervising specialists. |
| 11/25/2025 | Union Journeyman Electrician - Overtime Heavy | 45.0 h | 125,000 $ | 111,111 $ | 9,259 $ | 53.42 $ | I worked as a union journeyman on a multi-year downtown project that required heavy overtime. The combination of union wages and consistent OT pushed my annual income up. |
| 08/09/2025 | Self-Employed Electrical Contractor (Small Business Owner) | 42.0 h | 108,000 $ | 102,857 $ | 8,571 $ | 49.45 $ | I run a small contracting firm focusing on commercial retrofit work. As owner I work both in the field and on business development which increases weekly hours and overall pay. |
| 05/16/2025 | Commercial Electrician - Senior | 40.0 h | 87,000 $ | 87,000 $ | 7,250 $ | 41.83 $ | I was a senior commercial electrician managing complex lighting and power distribution installs for retail chains. I trained juniors and coordinated inspections. |
| 03/05/2025 | Senior Electrician - Energy Efficiency Retrofits | 40.0 h | 89,000 $ | 89,000 $ | 7,417 $ | 42.79 $ | I handled energy-efficiency retrofits for commercial buildings, including LED conversions and controls upgrades. My technical know-how and project experience increased compensation. |
| 02/28/2025 | Industrial Controls Specialist | 40.0 h | 99,700 $ | 99,700 $ | 8,308 $ | 47.93 $ | I focus on controls and PLC programming in industrial settings. This niche skillset commands higher pay and I handle both troubleshooting and project upgrades. |
| 11/12/2024 | Master Electrician - Large Contractor | 44.0 h | 115,000 $ | 104,545 $ | 8,712 $ | 50.26 $ | I work as a master electrician for a large contractor overseeing multiple institutional projects. My job includes design review, permitting, and crew leadership with long weeks. |
| 07/30/2024 | Maintenance Electrician - Senior (Part-time consultant) | 28.0 h | 54,000 $ | 77,143 $ | 6,429 $ | 37.09 $ | I consult part-time for a property management firm on maintenance plans and troubleshooting. I reduced my hours to 28 but keep the higher rate for specialist work. |
| 06/18/2024 | Industrial Electrician - Shift Lead | 40.0 h | 90,500 $ | 90,500 $ | 7,542 $ | 43.51 $ | I led the night electrical shift at a large plant and was responsible for major troubleshooting and shift reports. The night premium and leadership responsibilities increased pay. |
| 04/23/2024 | Journeyman Electrician - Renewable Projects | 40.0 h | 76,000 $ | 76,000 $ | 6,333 $ | 36.54 $ | I worked on commercial solar and EV charging installations. The specialty work paid a premium compared with traditional jobs and required updated certifications. |
| 01/07/2024 | Residential Electrical Contractor (Owner) | 40.0 h | 86,000 $ | 86,000 $ | 7,167 $ | 41.35 $ | I own a small residential contracting business doing service upgrades and remodels. I balance fieldwork with estimates and bookkeeping and have a steady client base. |
| 09/19/2023 | Commercial Foreman | 45.0 h | 102,000 $ | 90,667 $ | 7,556 $ | 43.59 $ | I was foreman on several overlapping commercial projects. My responsibilities included scheduling, client coordination, and quality control, which required longer weeks. |
| 06/01/2023 | Industrial Lead Electrician | 40.0 h | 84,000 $ | 84,000 $ | 7,000 $ | 40.38 $ | I led electrical maintenance for a large manufacturing facility, handled complex motor control work, and mentored junior techs. My experience is about 14 years. |
| 03/28/2023 | Commercial Electrician - Specialist (Lighting Controls) | 40.0 h | 79,500 $ | 79,500 $ | 6,625 $ | 38.22 $ | I specialized in lighting controls and dimming systems for commercial clients, which required training and allowed higher pay than general work. |
| 02/15/2023 | Master Electrician / Project Manager | 44.0 h | 98,000 $ | 89,091 $ | 7,424 $ | 42.83 $ | I hold a master electrician license and manage electrical projects for a regional contractor. I split time between office planning and site visits and oversee multiple crews. |
| 11/10/2022 | Self-Employed Commercial Electrician | 45.0 h | 92,000 $ | 81,778 $ | 6,815 $ | 39.32 $ | I run a small electrical contracting business focused on commercial service and tenant work. I work longer weeks managing crews and doing hands-on work; income varies with contracts. |
| 07/26/2022 | Union Journeyman Electrician - High Rise | 40.0 h | 88,000 $ | 88,000 $ | 7,333 $ | 42.31 $ | I was a union journeyman on a downtown high-rise job. The wage scale and heavy overtime on some weeks pushed annual pay up; I had about ten years experience. |
| 03/03/2022 | Residential Electrician - Mid-level | 40.0 h | 58,000 $ | 58,000 $ | 4,833 $ | 27.88 $ | I handled service upgrades and new residential installations for a small family-owned contractor. I had about seven years in the field and ran smaller projects independently. |
| 12/19/2021 | Lead Electrician / Site Foreman | 42.0 h | 78,000 $ | 74,286 $ | 6,190 $ | 35.71 $ | I was the site foreman for a large commercial build-out, supervising five to eight electricians and coordinating materials and schedules. My hours often reached low overtime levels. |
| 09/07/2021 | Industrial Electrician - Senior | 40.0 h | 71,500 $ | 71,500 $ | 5,958 $ | 34.38 $ | I was a senior maintenance electrician at a food processing facility handling motor controls and PLC troubleshooting. I had about 12 years of experience. |
| 04/12/2021 | Commercial Electrician - Mid-level | 40.0 h | 64,500 $ | 64,500 $ | 5,375 $ | 31.01 $ | I was on site for large retail build-outs. I coordinated with other trades and managed smaller subcontractor teams while doing hands-on electrical work. |
| 10/30/2020 | Journeyman Electrician - Construction | 40.0 h | 60,000 $ | 60,000 $ | 5,000 $ | 28.85 $ | I worked as a journeyman on new construction for a regional contractor. The pay reflected billable construction hours and some seasonal overtime. |
| 05/14/2020 | Self-Employed Residential Electrician | 32.0 h | 46,000 $ | 57,500 $ | 4,792 $ | 27.64 $ | I'm a self-employed electrician doing mostly weekend and evening jobs while growing my client base. I work about 32 hours a week and handle my own scheduling and invoicing. |
| 01/13/2020 | Low-Voltage Technician | 40.0 h | 67,000 $ | 67,000 $ | 5,583 $ | 32.21 $ | I work primarily on low-voltage systems like fire alarm and data cabling for commercial clients. The specialized license and regular projects provided steady mid-level pay. |
| 11/21/2019 | Maintenance Electrician - Mid-level | 38.0 h | 52,000 $ | 54,737 $ | 4,561 $ | 26.32 $ | I worked in building maintenance for a mid-size property manager. My role involved troubleshooting common electrical issues across a portfolio of properties. |
| 08/06/2019 | Residential Lead Electrician | 40.0 h | 57,500 $ | 57,500 $ | 4,792 $ | 27.64 $ | I led small crews for a residential contracting firm doing renovations and new builds. I supervised two apprentices and handled client communication. |
| 06/14/2019 | Electrician (Contracted, Part-time) | 24.0 h | 30,000 $ | 50,000 $ | 4,167 $ | 24.04 $ | I do contracted part-time electrical maintenance for several small businesses, averaging about 24 hours a week while keeping a second job. |
| 02/27/2019 | Journeyman Electrician (Union) | 40.0 h | 63,000 $ | 63,000 $ | 5,250 $ | 30.29 $ | I was a union journeyman working on commercial high-rise projects. I had about six years of experience and received union benefits in addition to this salary. |
| 12/05/2018 | Apprentice Electrician (Second-year) | 36.0 h | 28,400 $ | 31,556 $ | 2,630 $ | 15.17 $ | I was a second-year apprentice with a small contractor, doing more independent wiring and occasional small projects under supervision. |
| 09/11/2018 | Apprentice Electrician (Full-time) | 40.0 h | 29,200 $ | 29,200 $ | 2,433 $ | 14.04 $ | I was a second-year apprentice working full time with a small electrical contractor. I did more independent tasks than in year one but still learned on the job. |
| 03/22/2018 | Industrial Electrician | 40.0 h | 54,000 $ | 54,000 $ | 4,500 $ | 25.96 $ | I worked maintenance on industrial equipment in a mid-size manufacturing plant. I had PLC basics and did regular shift work with occasional overtime. |
| 10/09/2017 | Commercial Electrician | 40.0 h | 51,000 $ | 51,000 $ | 4,250 $ | 24.52 $ | I worked full time on commercial tenant finishes and light commercial maintenance. I handled conduit runs and fixtures but didn't supervise others. |
| 07/02/2017 | Part-Time Residential Electrician | 30.0 h | 36,000 $ | 48,000 $ | 4,000 $ | 23.08 $ | I work part-time doing evening and weekend residential service calls while pursuing certifications. I average about 30 hours a week and cover a variety of small jobs. |
| 05/18/2017 | Journeyman Electrician | 40.0 h | 46,000 $ | 46,000 $ | 3,833 $ | 22.12 $ | I was a non-union journeyman on residential remodels and service calls. I had about four years experience and worked a normal 40 hour week. |
| 11/03/2016 | Residential Electrician - Entry Level | 40.0 h | 34,200 $ | 34,200 $ | 2,850 $ | 16.44 $ | I was hired as an entry-level residential electrician on full time tasks like service changes and new home installs. I had under two years of experience at the time. |
| 08/14/2016 | Apprentice Electrician (Part-time) | 22.0 h | 22,800 $ | 41,455 $ | 3,455 $ | 19.93 $ | I'm a first-year apprentice working part-time while I finish school. I work about 22 hours a week doing basic wiring, pulling wire, and assisting journeymen. |
Chicago’s diversified economy and constant cycle of building, transportation, and infrastructure work create steady opportunities for electricians across the city and suburbs. From high-rise commercial towers and healthcare campuses to rail systems and airports, the region relies on skilled electrical workers to build, upgrade, and maintain complex power and low-voltage systems.
Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued demand for electricians, and Chicago often mirrors or exceeds that trend because of its scale and capital investment pipeline. Employers here frequently seek journey-level electricians with experience in commercial or industrial settings, strong safety practices, and familiarity with the Chicago Electrical Code, which has local amendments to the National Electrical Code and emphasizes metallic conduit systems.
Chicago’s labor market for electricians is shaped by several long-running dynamics. The city’s strong union presence through IBEW Local 134 supports a robust apprenticeship pipeline and dispatch process, while major public and private projects regularly add demand for crews. Electrical contractors in the metro area commonly report ongoing needs for professionals who can work safely in occupied facilities, read complex plans, and coordinate with multiple trades on tight urban sites.
Key local drivers that typically support hiring include:
Because Chicago’s code typically requires metallic raceway instead of nonmetallic cable, electricians here often need strong skills in conduit layout and bending, grounding and bonding to local requirements, and coordination with inspection processes. Many employers also look for OSHA-10/30, NFPA 70E awareness, and the ability to work within union or prevailing-wage environments depending on the job.
Electricians in Chicago are hired by a mix of public agencies, healthcare and higher-education systems, utilities, transportation operators, and signatory electrical contractors. Examples include:
Hiring typically occurs via union halls, direct company postings, and contractor networks. Electrical contractors and institutional employers often prioritize candidates who have completed an IBEW/NECA apprenticeship through the Chicago-area training programs and who can demonstrate strong troubleshooting, documentation, and safety habits.
Electricians in Chicago can build careers in construction, service, or industrial maintenance, with clear paths from apprentice to journeyman, foreman, and project leadership. The region’s specialty markets create room for focused roles in low-voltage systems, building automation, fire alarm, instrumentation, and critical facilities. Many electricians also transition into estimating, project management, or inspection roles with municipalities and authorities having jurisdiction.
Growing niches include solar PV and battery storage (where NABCEP credentials can help), EV charging infrastructure (for which EVITP certification is increasingly requested), and healthcare or laboratory environments that require rigorous procedures and documentation. Rail and airport work often call for additional site-specific safety training, while data centers reward experience with switchgear, generators, UPS systems, and preventive maintenance routines.
Licensing in Illinois is largely local, and in Chicago the electrical contractor and supervising electrician structure guides how work is performed and overseen. Many employers value familiarity with city permitting, inspections, and record-keeping standards. For professionals who bring solid code knowledge, conduit skills, and a safety-first approach, the Chicago market generally offers a consistent stream of projects and long-term facility roles across one of the nation’s largest metropolitan economies.
The average salary for a Electrician in Chicago is 73,099 $ per year on a 40-hour basis, or 6,092 $ gross per month.
Part-time and full-time reports are normalized to a 40-hour workweek so salary reports can be compared fairly.
You can find more comparisons on the profession overview for Electrician and the city overview for Chicago. They show reported cities or jobs with their difference from the average.
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