Electrician Salary in Chicago, IL
Electricians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $102,350 a year — 62% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,912 take-home, or $6,326 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median electrician salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,687
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,346
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,484
- Illinois income tax$4,922
- Take-home pay$75,912
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Electrician pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,890 | $23.99 | $39,942 | $3,328 |
| 25th percentile | $74,400 | $35.77 | $57,632 | $4,803 |
| Median (50th) | $102,350 | $49.21 | $75,912 | $6,326 |
| 75th percentile | $118,660 | $57.05 | $86,578 | $7,215 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,070 | $59.65 | $90,071 | $7,506 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,350 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median electrician's $75,912 take-home pay has the buying power of $73,277 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Electrician jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for electricians, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 56 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $102,350 | $75,912 | $73,277 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,780 | $80,432 | $72,375 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $105,090 | $74,395 | $70,569 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $76,860 | $60,226 | $65,079 |
| 5 | St. Louis, MO | $77,170 | $60,429 | $63,551 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $81,990 | $63,276 | $63,088 |
| 7 | Milwaukee, WI | $77,800 | $60,819 | $62,741 |
| 8 | Rochester, NY | $77,310 | $59,640 | $61,462 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 56 metros →
About the job: electricians
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrician make in Chicago, IL?
The median electrician salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $102,350 a year, or about $49.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $74,400 and $118,660.
What is a electrician’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $102,350 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $75,912 a year ($6,326 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,922 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a electrician?
Pay here is 62% above the national median of $63,190. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $73,277 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 56 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a electrician afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median electrician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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