Electrician Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $79,449 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $79,449/year (≈ $38.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $81,959 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average electrician salary in Milwaukee, WI, is projected to rise to $79,449, significantly outpacing the national median of $64,530 by approximately 23.12%. Electricians in the area can expect to earn between $46,128 at the low end (10th percentile) and $106,052 at the high end (90th percentile). This data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026. The robust salary figures reflect a strong demand in Milwaukee's job market, particularly for those specializing in industrial controls and programmable logic controllers (PLC). As the industry evolves, electricians who enhance their skills in these areas can leverage higher pay opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,128 | $22.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,382 | $28.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,449 | $38.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,649 | $48.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,052 | $50.99 |
Median Salary Position
23.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,924 (2026 est.). At $79,449, the local median is 23.12% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be above the median
How Milwaukee Electrician Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $79,449/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $64,530 | +23.12% more |
Electricians in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $79,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.12% higher than the national median of $64,530.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $79,449 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,959 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,040
2025 BLS Actual
$77,800
2026 Current Est.
$79,449
2019–2027 Growth
+12.6%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,449 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,134 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 8.0% from $72,040 (2019) to $77,800 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,134 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,094 (12.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,128 – $58,382 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,382 – $79,449 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,449 – $100,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,649 – $106,052 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Milwaukee
Milwaukee has a healthy workforce of 4,490 electricians, contributing to competitive pay dynamics in the region. The cost of living index stands at 96.937, indicating that while salaries are above the national average, the purchasing power remains favorable for local electricians. Employers in this city include union electrical contractors, known for offering higher wages and benefits compared to non-union firms, which primarily focus on residential work. Job roles in manufacturing plants, energy utility companies, and renewable energy sectors are typically at the pinnacle of the pay scale. Factors such as the union vs. non-union pay gap, overtime opportunities, and emerging specialties like solar and EV installations will affect earnings significantly. To maximize electrician pay in Milwaukee, focusing on acquiring advanced certifications, embracing union membership, and developing skills in high-demand areas are key strategies for success.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $77,800 for electriciansin the Milwaukee metropolitan area. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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