by 
Do you want to work as an electrician in Illinois?
If that’s the case, you will first need an electrician license and to complete a training program.
Below we have brought you info on the requirements to start working in this field.
Article Table of Contents
Become an Apprentice
Illinois does not have specific state licensing laws for electricians, meaning each jurisdiction has its own laws.
Usually, you will need 4 years of job experience and 500-800 hours of class hours.
You can get this required experience in 3 different ways.
Join a Trade School
If you enroll in a trade school, you will be able to get an associate’s degree or diploma in the field.
After completing your program, you can get hired by one of the electrical companies in your area to meet the experience requirements.
Some schools help with job placement for an entry-level position.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Black Hawk College | 6600-34th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265 |
| City Colleges of Chicago | 7500 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60652 |
| City Colleges of Chicago | 6301 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60621 |
| College of DuPage | 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 |
| College of Lake County | 19351 W Washington St., Grayslake, IL 60030 |
| Heartland Community College | 1500 West Raab Road, Normal, IL 61761 |
| Illinois Community Colleges | Frontier Drive, Fairfield, IL 62837 |
| Illinois Community Colleges | 700 Logan College Road, Carterville, IL 62918 |
| Illinois Community Colleges | 1301 S 48th Street, Quincy, IL 62305 |
| Illinois Community Colleges | 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431 |
| Illinois Community Colleges | 5800 Godfrey Rd, Godfrey, IL 62035 |
| Illinois Valley Community College | 815 N Orlando Smith Ave, Oglesby, IL 61348 |
| Kishwaukee College | 21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL 60150 |
| Lake Land College | 5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL 61938 |
| Parkland College | 2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL 61821 |
| Prairie State College | 202 South Halsted Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411 |
| Richland Community College | One College Pk, Decatur, IL 62521 |
| Rock Valley College | 3301 N Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL 61114 |
| Shawnee Community College | 8364 Shawnee College Rd, Ullin, IL 62992 |
| Southwestern Illinois College | 2500 Carlyle Ave, Belleville, IL 62221 |
| Waubonsee Community College | Rte 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554 |
Become an Apprentice
Another way to get licensed is to join a union program through The National Training Alliance.
To join a JATC (Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees), you need to:
- Be 18 years old
- Ability to perform your job
- Have a vehicle
- Take a skill test
- High school diploma/GED
- Finish an algebra class in high school
You will need to register as a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and get a card.
You can also choose a non-union program in which to train.
These programs have their own classes that will help you get certified and good resources to help you find employment.
Become Licensed
Many counties in Illinois skip the journeyman licensing though Chicago still requires this exam.
If your county doesn’t offer a journeyman license, you should take the Chicago exam to ensure getting the qualifications you need.
Chicago
This city offers a Supervising Electrician Certification, for which an exam is required.
To get certified, you need to:
- Be 18 years old
- Job experience of 2 years as an electrician
- Taking a test
- Proof of experience under a supervising electrician
- Submit an application
Becoming an Independent Electrical Contractor
To work as an independent contractor and run a business, you have to register every time you work in a new county.
Cook County
The requirements in this county are:
- Have a Cook County certification
- Send in an application form
- Certificate of General Liability up to $1 million
- Send in a Child Support Compliance Data Form
- Copy of your corporation papers if applicable
DuPage County
To work as a contractor or sub-contractor in this county, you must:
- Know the DuPage County Ordinances, Codes, and Regulations
- Pay the registration fee
- Liability insurance of $1 million as a contractor and general insurance as a sub-contractor
- Worker’s compensation and employee liability
Will County
For this county you need to:
- Complete the Contractor Registration Application
- Pay a registering fee
- Copy of your current Supervising Electrician Certification
Salary
Your salary will depend on the type of license you have, though below you can see the average salary in major cities around the state.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $51,471 |
| Aurora | $51,016 |
| Joliet | $50,014 |
| Rockford | $48,067 |
| Naperville | $50,429 |
| Springfield | $44,818 |
| Peoria | $46,901 |
| Elgin | $50,642 |
| Waukegan | $48,540 |
| Champaign | $45,615 |
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 670 | $78,280 | $37.63 | $97,720 | $57,470 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 180 | $84,930 | $40.83 | $109,240 | $48,470 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 390 | $84,380 | $40.57 | $101,440 | $46,650 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 15,860 | $91,560 | $44.02 | $119,670 | $49,900 |
| Danville, IL | 70 | $74,040 | $35.6 | $98,050 | $47,870 |
| Decatur, IL | 460 | $88,050 | $42.33 | $113,160 | $56,800 |
| Kankakee, IL | 110 | $79,400 | $38.17 | $109,920 | $47,800 |
| Peoria, IL | 780 | $78,540 | $37.76 | $100,580 | $46,120 |
| Rockford, IL | 340 | $75,250 | $36.18 | $101,120 | $46,050 |
| Springfield, IL | 370 | $80,660 | $38.78 | $111,120 | $41,920 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
License Renewal
All the above licenses must be renewed on a yearly basis.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
Electrician Schools by City
Electrician Schools by State