Electrician Salary - Midwest
Industrial stronghold with Chicago driving significant wage premiums
Wage figures reflect all electricians across all employment types -- union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the state median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it. State figures are averages -- wages vary significantly between metro and rural markets within the same state. City-level data coming soon.
The Midwest is defined by one outlier and a solid middle tier. Illinois -- specifically Chicago -- carries a state median of $99,560, the second highest in the country, driven by some of the strongest IBEW locals in North America. Remove Illinois and the rest of the Midwest clusters tightly around the national median, with Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin all performing solidly. The region's industrial base creates consistent demand for commercial and industrial electricians that keeps employment stable even when residential construction slows.
The Midwest has the strongest union construction market outside the Pacific Coast and Northeast. Chicago's IBEW locals -- particularly Local 134 -- are among the highest-paying and most powerful in the country. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan all have strong IBEW presence in their major metros. The industrial sector adds another union layer -- manufacturing facilities, power plants, and refineries across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan employ significant numbers of IBEW inside wiremen and specialists. Outside the major metros, union density drops but remains higher than the Southeast.
The Midwest offers the best combination of wages and cost of living in the country for electricians. Illinois at 95.1 COL with a $99,560 median is exceptional value. Minnesota at 93.4, Wisconsin at 97.4, and Michigan at 93.9 all offer above-median wages at below-average cost of living. Iowa at 88.6 and Kansas at 87.6 are among the most affordable states in the country. The industrial Midwest -- Ohio, Indiana -- offers near-median wages at well below-average cost of living. For purchasing power, the Midwest consistently outperforms the coasts.
- →Industrial manufacturing and automation upgrades across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan's automotive and manufacturing corridor
- →Data center construction expanding into the Chicago metro and secondary Midwest markets
- →Renewable energy infrastructure -- wind farm electrical work concentrated in Iowa, Kansas, and the Dakotas
- →EV battery and electric vehicle manufacturing facility construction across Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana
- →Grid modernization and utility infrastructure upgrades across the region's aging electrical infrastructure
Chicago is one of the premier destinations for traveling journeymen in the country. IBEW Local 134 scale rates are among the highest in North America and the market runs hot on major commercial and industrial projects. Minnesota and Wisconsin offer strong wages with lower cost of living than the coastal markets. The industrial corridor across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan creates consistent demand for travelers with industrial experience. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current openings -- Chicago in particular moves fast.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living -- what your paycheck actually buys relative to the national average.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $99,560 +$36,370 vs. national | 95.1 | $104,690 +$41,500 vs. national |
| Minnesota | $78,160 +$14,970 vs. national | 93.4 | $83,683 +$20,493 vs. national |
| Wisconsin | $76,540 +$13,350 vs. national | 97.4 | $78,583 +$15,393 vs. national |
| Michigan | $76,270 +$13,080 vs. national | 93.9 | $81,225 +$18,035 vs. national |
| Indiana | $68,490 +$5,300 vs. national | 88.3 | $77,565 +$14,375 vs. national |
| Kansas | $65,860 +$2,670 vs. national | 87.6 | $75,183 +$11,993 vs. national |
| North Dakota | $65,710 +$2,520 vs. national | 90.7 | $72,448 +$9,258 vs. national |
| Missouri | $65,410 +$2,220 vs. national | 88.6 | $73,826 +$10,636 vs. national |
| Ohio | $64,700 +$1,510 vs. national | 93.7 | $69,050 +$5,860 vs. national |
| South Dakota | $61,390 $-1,800 vs. national | 94.1 | $65,239 +$2,049 vs. national |
| Iowa | $60,860 $-2,330 vs. national | 88.6 | $68,691 +$5,501 vs. national |
| Nebraska | $60,820 $-2,370 vs. national | 91.3 | $66,616 +$3,426 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - Electricians - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.