Plumber Salary

Arlington Heights vs Peoria: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Arlington Heights, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Arlington Heights, IL
$90,457
$43.49/hr
Peoria, IL
$87,234
$41.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricArlington Heights, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$90,457$87,234
Hourly Rate$43.49$41.94
Entry Level (P10)$65,683$48,994
25th Percentile$72,797$63,183
75th Percentile$115,786$110,188
Top Earner (P90)$140,209$120,256
Total Employed18560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Arlington Heights ($90,457) and Peoria ($87,234) plumber salaries.Arlington HeightsPeoriaMedian Salary$90,457$87,234Entry Level (P10)$65,683$48,994Top Earner (P90)$140,209$120,256US Median $65,408

Verdict

Arlington Heights, IL offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Arlington Heights and Peoria is $3,223 (3.69%). Arlington Heights's median is +38.30% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Arlington Heights spans $74,526,Peoria spans $71,262. Arlington Heights has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Arlington Heights
P10 (Entry)$65,683
P25$72,797
Median$90,457
P75$115,786
P90 (Top)$140,209
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$48,994
P25$63,183
Median$87,234
P75$110,188
P90 (Top)$120,256

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($95,619 effective) pays 2.64% more than Arlington Heights ($93,159 effective).

Arlington Heights
Nominal: $90,457
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $93,159
Peoria
Nominal: $87,234
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $95,619

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Arlington Heights if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,457/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($140,209)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,619)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Arlington Heights grew 2.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.0% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Arlington Heights, IL

+2.6%

$86,000 (2024) → $88,234 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+9.0%

$78,100 (2019) → $85,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Arlington Heights or Peoria?

Arlington Heights has a higher median plumber salary at $90,457/year, compared to Peoria at $87,234/year — a difference of $3,223 (3.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Arlington Heights and Peoria?

Arlington Heights plumbers earn $43.49/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $41.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Arlington Heights to Peoria as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Arlington Heights and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Arlington Heights = $93,159, Peoria = $95,619), job availability (18 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Arlington Heights vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $65,683 in Arlington Heights and $48,994 in Peoria. The Arlington Heights area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov