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Electrician Salary in Illinois: Is It a Good Career?

Illinois · 2026 BLS salary data

Electrician pay in Illinois

The median wage is $99,560/yr — 58% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Illinoisis one of the highest-paying states (#2 of 51).

The numbers in Illinois

Real BLS state-level figures for Electrician.

Median salary
$99,560/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$73,520 – $117,460
National median
$63,190/yr
Employed in Illinois
23,120

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Illinois

Salary alone can mislead — Illinois costs about the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
100
Nominal median
$99,560
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $99,560
State income tax
Up to 4.95%

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do electrician professionals make in Illinois?

The median annual wage is $99,560 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $73,520 and $117,460. That's 58% above the national median.

Is Illinois a good state for electrician?

By raw pay, Illinois is one of the highest-paying states (#2 of 51). Adjusted for cost of living (Illinois costs about the U.S. average), that median is worth about $99,560.

Are electrician professionals in demand in Illinois?

About 23,120 people work in this field in Illinois (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +9.5% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Electrician nationally — Illinois pay is 58% above the national median. See the full Electrician career guide →

The verdict

Yes — electricians combine debt-free apprenticeship entry with faster-than-average growth, boosted by the electrification and data-center boom. A strong pick unless you want office work or can't meet the physical/safety demands.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Faster-than-average projected growth
  • Paid apprenticeship — earn while you learn, no debt
  • Riding the electrification / data-center / solar boom
  • Strong self-employment potential
  • Skilled, code-driven work that resists automation

Cons

  • Real safety risks (shock, falls)
  • Physically demanding, variable job sites
  • Multi-year apprenticeship before full licensure
  • Some travel and irregular hours

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Technically-minded, hands-on people
  • Those wanting a debt-free path into a growing trade
  • Anyone eyeing self-employment

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who want office or remote work
  • Those uncomfortable with heights or electrical risk

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Electrician is worth it — titles link to the original threads.