Wisconsin is one of the greatest places where you can work as an electrician!
There is more demand for electricians than there is supply, meaning those entering the electrical field can look forward to great pay and plenty of stable work.
If this sounds good to you, then keep reading to learn how you can become an electrician in Wisconsin!
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Electrician Job Duties and Skills In Wisconsin
Here is a list of just a few of the job duties and skills electricians in Wisconsin need to have:
- Good Communication
- Excellent Customer Service
- Empathy
- Ability to work in a team
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Basic math and algebra knowledge
- Basic computer knowledge
And also, electricians need to have some more industry-specific skills and knowledge, such as:
- Work with live electrical wiring and parts
- Be able to read blueprints or technical diagrams
- Be able to install and maintain writing
- Be able to install and maintain control
- Be able to install and maintain lighting systems.
How to Become an Electrician In Wisconsin
Step One – Get Your Classroom Hours
You must have completed 2000 classroom hours before you can qualify to apply for your electrical license in Wisconsin.
Be sure to do this or you will not be able to successfully apply for your license.
Step Three – Complete Your Training
You’re going to need 8,000 hours of work experience to become an electrician in Wisconsin.
There are plenty of different ways you can go about getting this experience, but you’ll need to decide for yourself which way is better for you.
You can opt to attend a community college or go to a technical or vocational school.
You can also choose to go through an apprenticeship.
Step Four – Apply For Your License
When you’ve finally completed all these steps, you can feel free to apply for an electrical license!
The exam is open book, and you must score 70% or higher to pass.
Once you’ve passed the exam, you’ll be licensed!
Training Programs for Electricians In Wisconsin
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College has a Construction Electrician Technical Diploma program where students can learn how to work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Students in this program will also learn about installing, maintaining, and servicing basic electrical equipment.
This program will prepare students for a large variety of job positions, such as electrical construction supervisor, electrical engineering technician, journey-level electrician, and more.
Milwaukee Electrical JATC
Milwaukee Electrical JATC teaches students the basics along with the most important details of becoming an electrician.
Students who take part in this program can expect to learn about reading blueprints and interpreting sketches, working with live wiring, installing and maintaining control systems, and more.
This well-structured program will allow students to enter the electrical industry with confidence in their knowledge, skills, and abilities, so it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to get their foot in the door.
Blackhawk Technical College
Blackhawk Technical College has an increasingly large variety of apprenticeship programs.
Below is a list of the ones that are currently being offered:
- Industrial Electrician Apprentice
- Electricity (Construction) Apprentice
- Electrician Apprentice (ABC)
- Maintenance Technician Apprentice
- Mechatronics Apprentice
- Machinist Apprentice
- HVAC Apprenticeship
- Welding Fabricator Apprentice
These programs all offer on-the-job training and applied classroom instruction.
The length of training may vary from two to five years, depending on the trade, and the apprentices who can manage to successfully complete the prescribed number of hours of training become certified skilled workers.
No matter what program a student chooses to take, they will receive the basic training and knowledge relevant to their trade, such as:
- Math
- Electrical theory
- Blueprint reading
- Sketch interpreting
- Working with electrical wiring either to install or maintain it
- Working with motors
- Working with programmable controllers
- Gaining the soft skills that electricians also need, such as good computer skills, communication skills, and customer service skills.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | 2740 W Mason St, Green Bay, WI 54307 |
| Milwaukee Electrical JATC | 6300 W Layton Ave, Greenfield, WI 53220 |
| Blackhawk Technical College | 6004 S County Rd G, Janesville, WI 53546 |
Electrician Salaries In Wisconsin
Of course, most people will be the most interested in what kind of salary they can expect to make as an electrician.
Well, that’s going to depend on several factors.
Prior work experience, knowledge, skill set, and expertise, of course.
But also, it depends on what area you specialize in and where you reside.
Below, you can see the average yearly salary for an electrician in some of Wisconsin’s top cities!
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $64,587 |
| Waukesha | $64,344 |
| Kenosha | $64,111 |
| Racine | $64,111 |
| Madison | $63,944 |
| Appleton | $62,617 |
| Green Bay | $62,604 |
| Eau Claire | $62,477 |
| Oshkosh | $62,212 |
| La Crosse | $60,640 |
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 640 | $67,360 | $32.39 | $83,740 | $40,040 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 290 | $66,250 | $31.85 | $91,610 | $38,180 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 160 | $68,570 | $32.97 | $84,180 | $40,830 |
| Green Bay, WI | 760 | $62,810 | $30.2 | $85,960 | $37,680 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 400 | $71,120 | $34.19 | $105,300 | $37,440 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 290 | $70,690 | $33.99 | $96,710 | $41,210 |
| Madison, WI | 1,440 | $71,240 | $34.25 | $94,070 | $42,580 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 2,990 | $75,200 | $36.15 | $106,320 | $44,090 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 560 | $66,630 | $32.04 | $93,240 | $38,300 |
| Racine, WI | 200 | $76,290 | $36.68 | $129,360 | $37,980 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 320 | $65,260 | $31.37 | $92,940 | $38,500 |
| Wausau, WI | 310 | $69,940 | $33.62 | $88,000 | $42,360 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a requirement for electricians to complete continuing education in Wisconsin?
Yes, electricians in Wisconsin must complete at least 24 hours of continued education every four years.
What's the job outlook for electricians in Wisconsin 2023?
Very good! Wisconsin has a lot of new job opportunities for electricians, and these opportunities will continue to grow as time goes on.
Is an apprenticeship required to become an electrician in Wisconsin?
Yes. You’ll need to complete an apprenticeship in order to get the necessary work hours and job experience.
Electrician Info by State
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