Electrician Classes in Wisconsin (Top Schools)

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O*Net reported an 11% job growth, equivalent to 1,520 annual job openings, for electricians in Wisconsin from 2020 to 2030.

This would mean more career opportunities and higher-than-average salaries for them.

So if you want to pursue an electrical career, here’s how you can become an electrician in Wisconsin.

Potential Salary

Wisconsin electricians have the following salary information as of May 2021 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Mean Wage:

  • Annually – $64,820
  • Hourly – $31.16
PercentileAverage Annual Wage
10%$37,410
25%$48,030
50%$62,590
75%$78,600
90%$94,610

 

Annual Salary Range:
$37K
$62K
$94K

Average Salary of Electricians in Wisconsin

City NameSalary
Milwaukee$47,548
Madison$47,274
Green Bay$46,088
Kenosha$47,101
Racine$47,101
Appleton$46,097
Waukesha$47,368
Oshkosh$45,799
Eau Claire$44,466
Janesville$47,108
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Appleton, WI700$71,030$34.15$95,540$45,670
Eau Claire, WI320$69,430$33.38$94,530$40,030
Fond du Lac, WI180$71,860$34.55$83,990$46,490
Green Bay, WI800$67,840$32.61$94,360$39,640
Janesville-Beloit, WI440$76,610$36.83$107,100$44,850
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN290$72,750$34.98$94,710$40,400
Madison, WI1,550$73,090$35.14$98,020$44,950
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI3,250$78,170$37.58$111,140$46,350
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI520$69,750$33.53$94,160$43,110
Racine, WI210$79,340$38.14$133,260$45,270
Sheboygan, WI280$69,230$33.28$92,920$46,620
Wausau, WI460$68,780$33.07$82,700$38,780
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Electricians, OCC 47-2111, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

How to Become an Electrician in Wisconsin

The Wi Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) oversees the regulations for the following licenses/registrations:

  • Registered electrical apprentice
  • Registered industrial electrical apprentice
  • Registered residential electrical apprentice
  • Registered electrician
  • Journeyman electrician license
  • Industrial journeyman electrician license
  • Residential journeyman electrician license
  • Registered master electrician
  • Master electrician license
  • Residential master electrician license
  • Electrical contractor license

Becoming a Registered Electrical Apprentice

Qualifications

To qualify for registration as an electrical apprentice (all 3 types), you must meet these requirements:

  • Currently enrolled in a US Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program
  • Will be/have been under the supervision of a journey-level or master-level electrician

Registration Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

  • Completed corresponding application form (#3102 / #3104 / #3110)
  • Fees
    • Application – $15
    • Credential – $15
  • Copy of the apprenticeship contract or proof of electrical indentureship from the WI Bureau of Apprenticeship Standard

Registration Renewal

Your registration will expire one year from the date of issuance.

To renew, you must submit the following:

  • Completed renewal application form
  • Renewal fee – $15

Becoming a Registered Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you will be/have been under the supervision of a journey-level or master-level electrician.

Note that you don’t need an electrical apprentice registration to become a registered electrician.

Registration Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

  • Completed application form (#3108)
  • Fees
    • Application – $15
    • Credential – $20

Registration Renewal

Your registration will expire one year from the date of issuance.

To renew, you must submit the following:

  • Completed renewal application form
  • Renewal fee – $20
  • Proof of completing 24 CE hours

Becoming a Licensed Journey-level Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

  • Successfully pass the required exam

-AND-

Journeyman Electrician
  • Completed a US Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program; OR,
  • At least 8,000 hours (4 years) of experience or 1,000 hours per year for at least 5 years
    • Can credit up to 2,000 hours (2 years) of experience if you completed a related electrical program from an accredited school
Industrial Journeyman Electrician
  • Completed a US Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program; OR,
  • At least 1,000 hours of experience in industrial work per year for at least 5 years
    • Can credit up to 2,000 hours (2 years) of experience if you completed a related electrical program from an accredited school
Residential Journeyman Electrician
  • Completed a US Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program; OR,
  • At least 1,000 hours of experience in residential work per year for at least 3 years
    • Can credit up to 2,000 hours (2 years) of experience if you completed a related electrical program from an accredited school

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

  • Completed corresponding application form (#3105 / #3106 / #3111)
  • Fees
    • Application – $35
    • Credential – $100 (this will be prorated if you’ll apply using the apprenticeship experience)
    • Exam – $30
  • Proof of meeting the experience requirements
    • Documented work experience
    • Copy of the certificate of completion of the apprenticeship
    • Copy of official transcripts

Exam Details

DSPS will administer the license exams.

For the journey-level exams, it’ll be open-book with questions covering the following:

  • WI Administrative Code SPS 305
  • WI Administrative Code SPS 316
  • National Electrical Code (NEC)

You’ll need to score at least 70% to pass the exam.

License Renewal

Your license will expire after four years on June 30.

To renew, you must submit the following:

  • Completed renewal application form
  • Renewal fee – $100
  • Proof of completing the required CE hours
    • Journeyman – 24 CE hours
    • Industrial / residential journeyman – 18 CE hours

Becoming a Registered Master Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

  • Must have been born on or before January 1, 1956
  • At least 15 years of electrical wiring experience

Registration Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

  • Completed application form (#3109)
  • Fees
    • Application – $35
    • Credential – $150
  • Documented work experience
  • Copy of government-issued ID to prove your birth date

Registration Renewal

Your registered master electrician license won’t expire.

Becoming a Master / Residential Master Electrician

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

Master Electrician

Experience/Education and Examination

  • Successfully pass the required exam

-AND-

  • At least 1 year of journeyman experience; OR,
  • At least 10,000 hours (5 years) of experience or 1,000 hours per year for at least 7 years; OR,
    • Can credit up to 3,000 hours (3 years) of experience if you completed a related electrical program from an accredited school
  • Has a bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering from an accredited (engineering) school

License Exchange

  • Previously held a WI master electrician license but exchanged it for a journeyman electrician license
Residential Master Electrician

Experience/Education and Examination

  • At least 1,000 hours of experience in residential work per year for at least 7 years
    • Can credit up to 3,000 hours (3 years) of experience if you completed a related electrical program from an accredited school
  • Successfully pass the required exam

License Exchange

  • Previously held a WI residential master electrician license but exchanged it for a residential journeyman electrician license

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

  • Completed corresponding application form (#3107 / #3112)
  • Fees
    • Application – $35
    • Credential – $200 (this will be prorated if you’ll apply for a license exchange)
    • Exam – $30
  • Proof of meeting the qualification requirements
    • Documented work experience
    • Copy of your master / residential master electrician license you previously exchanged for a journeyman / residential journeyman license
    • Copy of official transcripts

Exam Details

The master / residential master electrician license exam has the same content as the journey-level exams.

License Renewal

Your license will expire after four years on June 30.

To renew, you must submit the following:

  • Completed renewal application form
  • Renewal fee – $200
  • Proof of completing the required CE hours
    • Master – 24 CE hours
    • Residential master – 18 CE hours

Becoming an Independent Electrical Contractor

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

  • Has a designated business representative – you, your partner, chairman, or CEO of the business
  • Complied with the worker’s compensation requirements
  • Complied with the unemployment compensation requirements

License Application

To apply, you must submit the following:

  • Completed application form (#3103)
  • Fees
    • Application – $35
    • Credential – $200 (prorated)

License Renewal

Your license will expire after four years on June 30.

To renew, you must submit the following:

  • Completed renewal application form
  • Renewal fee – $200

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in Wisconsin

The electrical industry is growing rapidly, so the state needs highly-skilled electricians in its workforce.

That’s why you should undergo trade education and training to acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills the industry requires.

You can obtain this by enrolling in a vocational school or sponsored apprenticeship program.

Vocational School

Enrolling in a vocational school enables you to get a degree, which will be beneficial when applying for entry-level positions.

You’ll learn practical theories and hands-on training in areas such as:

  • Electrical codes
  • Safety practices and procedures
  • Cable tray installation
  • Pulling wire and cable
  • Installing and wiring service
  • Reading blueprints and schematics
  • Lighting fixture installation
  • Mounting and wiring transformers

Apprenticeship Program

An apprenticeship program is usually sponsored by a union (JATCs) or non-union (private employers).

If you apply through a union, they’ll help you connect with a local employer where you’ll receive supervised training and experience.

Meanwhile, through a non-union, you’ll be working for them as an apprentice, which could lead to potential long-term employment.

Both sponsors will generally look for these qualifications:

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Has a high school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Passing grades in high school algebra
  • Pass the general aptitude test
  • Pass the medical/physical exam

The table below lists some of the schools and associations offering electrical training programs in Wisconsin.

25 Electrician Schools in Wisconsin

School NameAddress
Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718
Blackhawk Technical College6004 County Road G Janesville, WI 53546
Eau Claire Area Electrical9480 Hwy 53 Fall Creek, WI 54742
College of Menominee NationN172 State Highway 47&55 Keshena, WI 54135
Gateway Technical College3520 30th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144
IBEW Local Union 5771024 S. Lawe St. Appleton, WI 54915
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers17 S River St. Janesville, WI 53548,
Kenosha Area Electrical JATC3030 39th Avenue Kenosha, WI 53144
La Crosse Area Electrical JATC3460 Losey Blvd. S. LaCrosse, WI 54601
Madison Area Electrical JATC2730 Dairy Dr. STE 102 Madison, WI 53718
Mid-State Technical College500 32nd St. N. Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Milwaukee Area Electrical JATC11001 W Plank Court, Suite 120 Wauwatosa, WI 53226
Northeast WI Area Electrical JATCIBEW Local Union 158 2970 Greenbrier Rd. Green Bay, WI 54311
Racine Area Electrical JATC1840 Sycamore Ave Racine, WI 53406
South Central WI Area Electrical JATC2730 Dairy Dr. STE 102 Madison, WI 53718
Southwest WI Area Electrical JATC1800 Bronson Blvd. Fennimore, WI 53809
Wisconsin River Valley Electrical JATC2730 Dairy Dr. STE 102 Madison, WI 53718
Wisconsin Technical College - Fennimore1800 Bronson Blvd. Fennimore, WI 53809
Wisconsin Technical College - Eau Claire620 W Clairemont Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54701
Wisconsin Technical College - Appleton1825 N Bluemound Dr. Appleton, WI 54912
Wisconsin Technical College - Cleveland1290 North Avenue Cleveland, WI 53015
Wisconsin Technical College - Milwaukee700 W State St. Milwaukee, WI 53233
Wisconsin Technical College - Fond du Lac235 N National Avenue Fond du Lac, WI 54936
Wisconsin Technical College - Wausau1000 Campus Dr. Wausau, WI 54401
Wisconsin Technical College - Green Bay2740 W Mason St. Green Bay, WI 54307

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