Plumber Hourly Pay in Gurnee, IL: $43.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Gurnee, IL runs $43.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $90,585 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Gurnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,351 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Gurnee, Illinois, the projected plumber hourly pay for 2026 stands at $43.55, significantly above the national hourly median of $31.45. This rate reflects the competitive landscape for plumbing roles, particularly given the demand across various work settings such as commercial and residential jobs, industrial construction projects, and healthcare facilities. For those seeking part-time work, such as a plumber working three days a week, the financial yield can be substantial despite working fewer hours. The hourly range for plumbers in Gurnee runs from $30.58 for entry-level positions to $67.50 for top earners. These figures are based on annual salary estimates that illustrate the dynamic nature of the plumbing profession within the region.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.58 | $244.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.10 | $272.79 |
| Median (P50) | $43.55 | $348.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.74 | $445.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.50 | $539.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gurnee
Based on $43.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.55/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gurnee, IL can expect to earn approximately $90,585 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,261. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gurnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gurnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,742.02 | $7,549 | $90,585 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,045.21 | $4,529 | $54,351 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $696.81 | $3,020 | $36,234 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Gurnee) | $43.55 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Pipefitter / Steamfitter (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Construction Laborer (National Avg) | $22.95 |
Plumbers in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $90,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.49% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $91,964.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.55/hr = $54,351/year (purchasing power: $55,974).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $90,585/year (purchasing power: $93,290).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Gurnee grew 15.7% from $36.73/hr (2019) to $42.48/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.65/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem plumbers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Plumber in Gurnee
When considering the specifics of part-time earnings, a plumber working 24 hours a week may take home approximately $54,000 annually, which still offers a comfortable living in Gurnee. For per-diem and agency plumbers, especially those involved in travel jobs, the potential for increased pay is notable, with base rates ranging from $40 to $65 per hour and additional per-diem benefits between $100 and $175 daily on out-of-town assignments. Different employer types in Gurnee contribute to the variability in pay: union contractors often provide higher wages and benefits, while non-union companies may offer lower rates but more flexible arrangements. Self-employed plumbers can see hourly rates anywhere from $100 to $180, reflecting the competitive nature of high-cost-of-living markets. In negotiating rates, workers should weigh the trade-off between pay and benefits, understanding that some employers may offer lower hourly rates in exchange for better employee health insurance and retirement plans.
More salary data for Gurnee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for plumbers in Gurnee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gurnee 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 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov