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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 Land of Lincoln.
The growing demand for electricians in the state of Illinois, including residential electricians and electrical contractors, 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 13% growth rate for electricians in Illinois 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 Illinois posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Illinois Electrician Training Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-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.
Because electrician licenses in Illinois are issued on the local level, rather than by the state, requirements vary by county. In most cases, electrical trainees need about four years or 8,000 hours of electrical trade work experience to become eligible to obtain initial certification. This experience is usually obtained through an apprenticeship program, and between 500 and 800 hours of classroom training. Both union and nonunion apprenticeship programs are available.
Most apprenticeship programs require you to be at least 18 years old, earn a high school diploma or GED, have reliable transportation, demonstrate you're physically fit, and pass an aptitude and algebra test.
The following community colleges and training centers offer electrical training classes in Illinois:
Lake Land College in Mattoon
Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville
Rock Valley College in Rockford
College of Lake County in Grayslake
City Colleges of Chicago in Chicago
Black Hawk College in Moline
John Wood Community College in Quincy
Illinois Valley Community College In Oglesby
Kishwaukee College in Malta
Joliet Junior College in Joliet
Lincoln Tech in Melrose Park
Heartland Community College in Normal
College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn
Richland Community College in Decatur
Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey
Illinois Apprenticeships
Electrical Business: Some Illinois businesses provide the on-the-job training while relying on community colleges to provide the necessary classroom instruction to meet U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and/or DOPL apprenticeship standards.
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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, as does Illinois.
There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but again 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 program at one of the four-year universities in Illinois 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, industrial, 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 coursework in the fundamentals of the electrical trade. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical systems, wiring, transformers, A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, 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 Illinois community colleges on average is $7,972 per year for in-state students and $10,688 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs, and 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 chosen 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
Apprenticeships typically last four years and require a mix of classroom instruction and on-the-job experience. Most require candidates to have a high school diploma or GED.
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 Illinois’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Apprenticeships have limited openings for candidates, and many of the programs below are available only to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill the required training.
Offers an Mechanical-Electrical Technology program.
Offers an Industrial Electrician program.
Offers an Electronic Engineering program.
Offers an Electrical Engineering Technology program.
Offers an associate’s degree in Electrical Construction Technology as well as a basic and advanced Electrical Construction Technology certificate.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Engineering Technology.
Offers an Electrician Certificate as well as an Electrical Technology Associate of Applied Science degree.
Illinois Valley Community College
Offers an Electronics and Electricians Associate in Applied Science degree.
Offers multiple electrician programs and certificates.
Offers an Electrical/Electronic Automated Systems program.
Offers an Electrician Training program as well as an Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology program.
Offers an Electronics Skills certificate.
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electronics Engineering Technology.
Offers an Engineering Technology program.
Lewis and Clark Community College
Offers an Industrial Electricity program.
Steps for Enrollment in Illinois
Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process includes 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.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the JATC, Local Union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
Electrician Career Requirements in Illinois
Since electrician licenses are issued on the local level, training requirements vary by county. You typically need to accumulate four years or 8,000 hours of electrical trade work experience before you become eligible to obtain initial certification.
After completing the necessary job training, you are eligible to sit for an exam that in most states is the equivalent of a journeyman license exam. Exam fees vary by individual cities and counties.
In the city of Chicago, for example, there is a supervising electrician certification exam. Passing this electrical exam enables you to work under a licensed electrical contractor. This level of certification suffices if you don’t plan to open your own business and want to continue to work as the equivalent of a journeyman electrician. To take the exam, you must be at least 21 years old, obtain two years of experience as an electrician, and provide proof of your work history. Once you pass the exam, certification remains valid for between one and four years. Certifications must be renewed through the City of Chicago website.
In Illinois, electrical contractors must register in each city or county where they plan to conduct business. In many cases, the electrical contracting process involves working as a supervising electrician, becoming familiar with local government ordinances, and obtaining general liability insurance coverage. Electrical contractors are required to renew their licenses yearly in most Illinois counties.
Illinois doesn’t mandate continuing education requirements at the state level. Make sure to check local laws regarding continuing education.
For a detailed explanation of Illinois’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Illinois Electrical License.
Salaries for Electricians in Illinois
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 Illinois? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Illinois for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $52,800
Intermediate 2-4 years: $63,800
Senior 4-6 years: $70,500
Supervisor > 7 years: $98,900
For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Illinois, you usually need a high school diploma or GED. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company or trade school with which they’d like to apprentice.
Illinois maintains a list of companies and available apprenticeships for all trades, including electricians via Apprenticeship Illinois.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships for aspiring Illinois electricians. The Midwest IEC, a nonunion trade group, offers apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa.
Indianapolis Electrical JATC in Indianapolis
Independent Electrical Contractors of Greater St. Louis in St.Louis, Missouri
Cedar Rapids Electrical Training Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Illinois. The opportunities are all around you.
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