Entry-Level Electrician Salary in Green Bay, WI: $46,791 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electricians entering the Green Bay, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $46,791 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 47-2111, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Green Bay's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,266 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($78,898) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

For new graduates entering the workforce as electricians in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the starting salary presents a noteworthy opportunity. In 2026, entry-level positions can expect to begin at approximately $46,791, which sits considerably below the city median salary of $78,898. Although there is a gap of over $32,100 between entry-level and the median, early-career electricians in Green Bay can anticipate a growth trajectory. With increasing experience, many can move from their initial pay to around $52,663 and potentially reach the median within just a few years. Given the favorable job outlook and the city's strong demand for skilled electricians, recent graduates will find Green Bay to be a solid market for beginning their careers in electrical trades.
Career Earnings Timeline in Green Bay
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Green Bay
Entry-level electricians in Green Bay, WI typically start between $46,791 and $52,663 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $52,653 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $78,898 — 22.27% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical program cost in Wisconsin of $15,000 represents just 32.06% of the starting electrician pay ($46,791/year) in Green Bay. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect registered apprenticeship training through NECA/IBEW JATCs or independent electrical contractors. Costs cover union dues, tools, books, and related technical instruction. Non-union trade school pathways cost more but are shorter.
ELEC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Green Bay
- 1Research the Green Bay market: entry-level electrician pay ranges from $46,791 to $52,663, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Green Bay, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Green Bay for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Green Bay's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Electrician Compensation Range
The electrician wage spread in Green Bay is $52,653 ( 112.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $46,791, experienced hygienists can earn up to $99,444.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,440
2025 BLS Actual
$45,820
2026 Current Est.
$46,791
2019–2027 Growth
+52.0%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Green Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,791 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,783 | Projected |
Entry-level electrician compensation (10th percentile) in Green Bay, WI grew 45.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,440 in 2019 to $45,820 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,783. New graduates entering the Green Bay job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Green Bay metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your electrical Career in Green Bay
Employers in Green Bay hiring entry-level electricians include both union and non-union organizations, which provide a variety of growth paths for new professionals. The IBEW and NECA partnership offers structured JATC apprenticeship programs lasting four to five years, allowing apprentices to gain essential skills while working towards journeyman electrician status. Non-union contractors also recruit apprentices, often facilitating on-the-job training, while industrial maintenance teams might seek experienced labor. Credentials such as a journeyman electrician license and OSHA safety certifications can significantly boost starting pay in Wisconsin. New electricians should focus on acquiring specialty skills in high-demand areas, including industrial controls or data center work, where salaries can swiftly increase. In the first three years, electricians can expect substantial pay rises, particularly in union markets, where pay premiums can range from 30% to 50% over non-union wages.
More salary data for Green Bay, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for electricians in Green Bay in 2026?
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Related Pages
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst
Career Analyst
Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical graduates. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Green Bay. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov