Electrician Salary in Onalaska, WI: $81,507 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Onalaska, WI earns a median $81,507/year (≈ $39.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $87,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electricians in Onalaska, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $81,507. This figure demonstrates a notable 26.31% increase compared to the national median of $64,530 for the same year. The salary range for electricians in this area varies significantly, spanning from $56,862 for the bottom 10% to $126,336 for the highest 10%. These estimates reflect local market conditions based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. The emphasis on specialized skills, notably in industrial controls and PLC work, often leads to higher pay, positioning electricians with such expertise favorably amid a growing local demand for skilled trades.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,862 | $27.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,396 | $32.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,507 | $39.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,119 | $49.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,336 | $60.74 |
Median Salary Position
26.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,474 (2026 est.). At $81,507, the local median is 26.31% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Onalaska Electrician Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $81,507/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $79,442 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $64,530 | +26.31% more |
Electricians in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $81,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.31% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 2.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $79,442.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $81,507 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,267 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,961
2025 BLS Actual
$79,815
2026 Current Est.
$81,507
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,961 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,089 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,794 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,815 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,507 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,235 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 12.5% from $70,961 (2019) to $79,815 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,235 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,274 (17.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $56,862 – $67,396 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,396 – $81,507 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,507 – $103,119 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,119 – $126,336 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Onalaska
With only four electricians employed in Onalaska, the job market is relatively small but offers strong potential for growth in specialized sectors. The cost of living in the area is indexed at 93.4, suggesting that electricians enjoy a favorable purchasing power relative to many other locations. Pay disparities often arise from varying employment contexts; for instance, electricians working for union contractors might earn significantly more than their non-union counterparts, due to the extensive benefits unions typically provide. Additional factors influencing salary levels include the type of work—industrial maintenance jobs generally pay more than residential projects—and opportunities for overtime and specialized work in renewable energy areas such as solar PV installations. To maximize electrician pay in Onalaska, professionals should consider obtaining additional licenses, pursuing specialized training, and exploring roles in high-demand sectors like data centers and industrial facilities.
More salary data for Onalaska, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $79,815 for electriciansin the Onalaska 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
Salary data for Onalaska is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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