💡Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $103,321/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152.Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $106,407 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($104,459), Chicago ($103,380), Elgin ($102,458).
Illinois plumber salary overview (2026)
$103,321
Avg Median Salary
$49.67
Avg Hourly Rate
15,441
Metro Employed
65
Cities
In 2026, plumbers in Illinois are projected to earn an average median salary of $103,321, significantly higher than the national median of $65,408, representing a difference of 58.0%. The salary range varies notably across the state, with Naperville leading at $107,091 and Rock Island at the lower end with $78,387—a gap of $28,704. This disparity is influenced by factors such as regional demand for plumbing services, cost of living, and the concentration of higher-paying jobs in metropolitan areas.
Illinois requires plumbers to obtain a state license, which involves completing an apprenticeship and passing examinations, ensuring a qualified workforce. The state's urban centers, like Chicago and Elgin, projected to offer salaries of $105,985 and $105,040 respectively, contribute to a strong job market with an employment level of 15,441 plumbers and an annual growth rate of 2.52%. The ongoing need for plumbing services in residential and commercial sectors continues to drive job opportunities, positioning Illinois favorably for those entering this trade. As demand for skilled labor persists, prospects for plumbers are expected to remain solid in the years to come.
Illinois Plumber Salary Range
Entry Level (10th %ile)
$54,920
avg across 65 cities
Median
$103,321
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$129,314
avg across 65 cities
Overall salary range in Illinois: $39,480 (lowest entry-level) to $165,991 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois
$103,321
National Median
$65,408
Illinois plumbers earn 57.96% more than the national median (+$37,913/year difference).
Illinois Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Illinois range from $54,920 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $129,314 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,321. The Illinois median is $37,913 above the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $49.67/hr. Approximately 15,441 plumbers are employed across 65 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$92,393
2025 BLS Actual
$100,781
2026 Current Est.
$103,321
2019–2027 Growth
+14.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Year
Annual Salary
Status
2019
$92,393
Actual
2020
$94,513
Actual
2021
$95,354
Actual
2022
$98,842
Actual
2023
$97,707
Actual
2024
$96,536
Actual
2025
$100,781
Actual
2026(current)
$103,321
Estimated
2027
$105,924
Projected
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 9.1% from $92,393 (2019) to $100,781 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,924 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,531 (14.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
The average median plumber salary in Illinois is $103,321/year across 65 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $78,387 in Rock Island to $107,091 in Naperville. This makes Illinois one of the higher-paying states, at 57.96% above the national median of $65,408. The state employs approximately 15,441 plumbers.
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Illinois?
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Naperville offers the highest plumber salary in Illinois at $107,091/year ($51.49/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Naperville ($107,091), Chicago ($105,985), Elgin ($105,040). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for plumbing services, and competition among employers for licensed plumbers.
How does Illinois plumber pay compare to the national average?
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Illinois's average plumber salary of $103,321 is 57.96% above the national median of $65,408 in 2026. The state employs approximately 15,441 plumbers across 65 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Illinois?
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Entry-level plumbers (10th percentile) in Illinois earn approximately $54,920/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $39,480 in lower-paying areas to $73,867 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.
How many plumbers are employed in Illinois?
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Illinois employs approximately 15,441 plumbers across 65 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Illinois one of the larger employers of plumbers nationally. Demand continues to grow as the plumbing field expands and the population ages.
Which Illinois city offers the best value for plumbers?
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When adjusted for cost of living, Naperville offers the highest purchasing power for plumbers in Illinois, with an adjusted salary of $110,289 (nominal: $107,091, CoL index: 97.1). This means your dollar goes 3% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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).
