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

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

Median annual salary $98,890 +57% vs national
Median hourly $47.54
10th percentile $50,210
90th percentile $123,600
Employed locally 14,230
National median $62,970

Compare Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary & buying power

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

    10th
    $50,210
    25th
    $65,290
    50th (median)
    $98,890
    75th
    $118,350
    90th
    $123,600

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary vs area income 111% Median Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary is 11% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $100,980
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $100,110
    Madison, WI $99,450
    Rochester, MN $99,400
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $97,020
    Illinois $96,200

    Nearby metros — Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $100,110
    Illinois $96,200
    Champaign-Urbana, IL $92,470
    Springfield, IL $88,070
    Kankakee, IL $87,270
    Bloomington, IL $82,900

    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
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $101,200
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $63,140

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Chicago, IL-IN is $47.54, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.15 or more per hour.

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

    The median Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 57% above the national median of $62,970. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (10th percentile) earn around $50,210 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,290.