Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $44,470 +13.2% vs national
Median hourly $21.38
10th percentile $33,610
90th percentile $61,640
National median $39,270

Compare Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary & buying power

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Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
in
Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,610
    25th
    $38,480
    50th (median)
    $44,470
    75th
    $45,500
    90th
    $61,640

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary vs area income 50% Median Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary is 50% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $64,100
    Visalia, CA $61,360
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $60,960
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $60,950
    Washington $58,240
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $58,180

    Nearby metros — Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $52,770
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $46,930
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $45,170
    Knoxville, TN $43,060
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $42,790
    Mobile, AL $42,320

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$68,410
    Carpenters$76,510
    Electricians$99,540
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$104,790
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$98,890
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$101,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Chicago, IL-IN is $21.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.32 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries?

    The median Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 13.2% above the national median of $39,270. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Chicago?

    Entry-level Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (10th percentile) earn around $33,610 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,480.