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Energy
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How to Become an Electrician in Wisconsin

contractor, which allows you to offer services to Outlook and Salary Expectations
customers and hire other licensed professionals.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in reports that the outlook for anyone training
Wisconsin to be an electrician in Wisconsin right now
One of the simplest ways to ensure is positive. Growth in the industry is strong,
with 12,700 employed electricians in 2020.
you meet all the requirements for licensing That number is expected to grow to 14,130 by
in the state is to enroll in and complete an 2030. This is a growth of over 11 percent and
approved apprenticeship program. Working an increase of 1,520 more jobs for qualified
as an apprentice has a lot of advantages, be and licensed electricians.
they union or non-union. For one, apprentices The BLS also states that salaries for elec-
earn while they learn. In fact, according to tricians in Wisconsin are strong. In 2020, the
payscale.com, the average apprentice makes average licensed electrician made $74,660 per
around $15.40 per hour while gaining electri- year. There is much more room for growth in
cal training. This will be better for people not income in this field, though. In the same year
suited hours of classroom instruction. Another the average top-earning electricians made over
advantage of this option is the proximity to $97,920.
journeypersons, master electricians and elec-
trical contractor companies. Working as an Electrician in Wisconsin
Local chapters of the International Broth- As careers and job opportunities for elec-
If you’re looking into the skilled trades A career as an electrician is a great option erhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) (http:// tricians continue to grow, people training now
for your first career or for a career change, you if you live in Wisconsin and are looking for www.ibew.org) run Joint Apprenticeship and can expect to have a choice of first jobs as
may have looked at becoming an electrician. great job opportunities and security. The Training Committees (JATCs or JACs) to journeymen. These electricians are often hired
This is a high-demand career with growth at growth in careers for electricians in the state provide all the learning and training appren- by electrical contractors, but they may also
eight percent, a faster than average job growth. is set to rise by over 11 percent, according to tices need to qualify for journeyman licensing. work for companies that need electricians, like
It’s also a job that pays well because it requires the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a All of these programs have similar require- industrial manufacturers, power plants, gov-
special skills and several years of education career that allows you to earn while you train ments for being accepted. These include ernment agencies or building companies. With
and training. and then, when licensed, to earn a great living having a high school diploma or GED, being just a few years of paid training, you could
Most professionals, about two-thirds, working with your hands and helping people. at least 18 years old, having a driver’s license, have your pick of jobs in Wisconsin.
work for electrical contractors or are the having passed an algebra course, and taking Source: https://electricalschool.org
owners of those contracting companies. These Requirements for Becoming an and passing a basic skills and aptitude test.
skilled tradespeople offer a variety of electri- Electrician in Wisconsin
cal services, including installation of wiring in Licenses are issued for journeyman,
new buildings, and maintenance and repairs master and contractor electricians in Wis-
of existing electrical systems. They may be consin through the Department of Safety and
residential, commercial or both. Residential Professional Services. The department also
electricians work in homes, while commercial registers apprentices. The first step in becom-
electricians work in larger, commercial build- ing an electrician in the state is to go through
ings. the training required to qualify for the exam
With special training, an electrician may to become a licensed journeyman electrician.
also work as a line installer or repairer. These There are a few different options for
workers install and repair the power systems getting the training needed to become a jour- By providing information on
and telecommunication cables that run outside neyman electrician. The first is to enroll in financial incentives, FOCUS ON
homes and businesses. They do most of their and complete an apprenticeship program,
work outside, often high off the ground in most of which are run through local union ENERGY helps Wisconsin residents
cherry pickers or by climbing telephone poles. chapters. Another option is to complete a two- and businesses implement energy
year degree program in electrical efficiency and renewable energy
technology as well as an appren-
ticeship for at least three years. projects with enduring economic
Finally, you can find an electrician benefits. Check out the resources
willing to take on an apprentice and
work in that role for four years to at: www.focusonenergy.com
qualify. You can also get licensed
as an industrial electrician, which
requires five years of work experi-
ence with 1,000 hours of industrial
work.
After working as a licensed
journeyman in Wisconsin for a year DISCOVER ENERGY CAREERS
you can take the exam and apply to be Interested in working in energy efficiency with
licensed as a master electrician. Alter-
natively, if you were never licensed as a smart and motivated team? Focus on Energy
a journeyman, 10,000 hours of work has immediate openings. Check out the site
experience can be used for qualifica- below for current job postings.
tion. As a master electrician you may
choose to register as an electrical www.focusonenergy.com/about/jobs