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We all need electricians, and electricians need extensive training to safely perform this highly skilled work. If you want to join the electrician workforce, you’ll be glad to know training is readily available throughout The Badger State.
The growing demand for electricians in Wisconsin—journeyman electricians, master electricians, and electrical engineers—means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 11% growth rate for electricians in Wisconsin and 6% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of electrician jobs in Wisconsin posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Wisconsin Electrician Training Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a four- or five-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.”
According to the BLS, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.
Most people entering the electrician industry in Wisconsin learn on the job as an apprentice electrician either in a formal union or nonunion apprenticeship or by working for an electrical contractor and taking classes at a local community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All of these apprenticeships must be recognized by the state.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Wisconsin:
Gateway Technical College in Kenosha
Madison Area Technical College in Madison
Mid-State Technical College in Adams, Marshfield, Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay
Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee
Western Technical College in La Crosse
Wisconsin Technical College System in Madison
Wisconsin Apprenticeships
Many prospective electricians gain hands-on work experience through an apprenticeship program.Interested applicants can find a list of apprenticeship committees to apply to on the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development website.
Many options are offered through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Available apprenticeships listed are:
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Electrician Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education. In Wisconsin, each full-time semester of electrical engineering coursework at an accredited college, university, technical, or vocational school equals 500 hours of experience. No more than 2,000 hours (or two years’ experience) may be credited toward the required experience.
There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Put simply, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science degree at one of the four-year universities in Wisconsin such as:
As stated earlier, in many cases but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Electrical programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial electrician, industrial electrician, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed electrician.
Typically, they include courses in the fundamentals of the electrical trade. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers: A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, OSHA requirements, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the National Electric Code (NEC). Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:
Foundations of Mathematics
Industrial Safety Procedures
Direct Current
Alternating Current
Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols
Commercial Wiring
Residential Wiring
Electrical Controls
Diagnostic Troubleshooting
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Wisconsin community colleges on average is $4,173 per year for in-state students and $6,317 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs, so tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
The pre-apprenticeship electrician diploma program length varies depending on the school and how many credit hours you take per semester. Apprenticeship lengths vary, but are based upon the time required to master all aspects of the occupation or trade you are learning in addition to completing the necessary classroom and safety instruction required. On average, a Wisconsin electrician apprentice program is four years.
Level of Difficulty
Electrician training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an electrical technician. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Wisconsin’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Electrical licensure in the state requires either work experience or a mix of schooling and work experience. Each full-time semester of electrical engineering coursework at an accredited college, university, technical, or vocational school equals 500 hours of experience. No more than 2,000 hours (or two years’ experience) may be credited toward the required experience. The following schools offer electrical training programs.
Gateway Technical College
Offers an Electrical Engineering associate degree
Madison Area Technical College
Offers a one-year Electrical Maintenance technical diploma
Mid-State Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College
Western Technical College in La Crosse
Wisconsin Technical College System
Steps for Enrollment in Wisconsin
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
However, if you’re hoping to attend one of the apprenticeship programs listed above, you must apply directly to the local apprenticeship committee.
Electrical apprentices in Wisconsin must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a valid driver’s license. Some of the committees have additional requirements, like passing the NJATC Apprenticeship Aptitude Battery test or completing high school algebra classes and earning a C or higher.
After completing an apprenticeship, candidates can apply for the Journeyman Electrician license with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Electrician Career Requirements in Wisconsin
To become a Journeyman Electrician, you must either complete the Electrical Construction Apprenticeship or have one of the following:
8,000 hours of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring during four years of experience.
1,000 hours of work experience per year, for at least five years. Note: Each full-time semester of electrical engineering coursework at an accredited college, university, technical, or vocational school equals 500 hours of experience. No more than 2,000 hours (or two years’ experience) may be credited toward the required experience.
To become a Master Electrician, you must meet one of the following requirements:
One year of work experience as a licensed Journeyman Electrician.
10,000 hours of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical wiring, during 60 months of experience.
1,000 hours per year of experience for seven years. Each full-time semester of electrical engineering coursework at an accredited college, university, technical, or vocational school is considered equivalent to 500 hours of experience. No more than 3,000 hours (or three years’ experience) may be credited toward the required experience.
Hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited engineering university or college.
The Journeyman Electrician license must be renewed every four years for a $100 fee. You must obtain 24 hours of continuing education (CE) to renew.
The Master Electrician license must be renewed every four years for a $200 fee. You must pursue 18 hours of continuing education to renew.
Wisconsin holds electrical licensing reciprocity agreements with Iowa and New Hampshire.
For a detailed explanation of Wisconsin’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Wisconsin Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Wisconsin
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an electrician, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in Wisconsin? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Wisconsin for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $52,400
Intermediate 2-4 years: $62,900
Senior 4-6 years: $68,700
Supervisor > 7 years: $96,500
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To perform electrical systems wiring activities under the supervision of a Master or Journeyman Electrician, you must be enrolled in an approved apprenticeship program recognized by Wisconsin State Statute 106, in accordance with the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards or the U.S. Department of Labor. These apprenticeship programs take approximately four years to complete.
Registered apprenticeships for construction occupations are sponsored by local apprenticeship committees, not individual employers. Interested applicants can find a list of apprenticeship committees to apply to on the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development website.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Minnesota and Iowa
Cedar Rapids Electrical Training Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Anoka Technical College in Anoka, Minnesota
Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, Minnesota
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Wisconsin. The opportunities are all around you.
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