Plumber salary in Chicago, IL
Median pay, Chicago metro
$103,380/year
about $49.70 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $74,300 – $122,540
Half of plumbers in the Chicago metro area earn more than $103,380 a year and half earn less. That's 62% higher than the national median of $63,800, and ranks #2 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| 25th | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Median (50th) | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| 75th | $122,540 | $58.91 |
| 90th (top earners) | $127,200 | $61.15 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a plumber job in the Chicago metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $74,300 ($35.72/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $74,300 to $122,540 ($35.72 to $58.91/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $122,540 ($58.91/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Pay usually rises with license level (apprentice, journeyman, master). Make sure the offer matches yours.
- Ask whether service calls pay commission or bonuses on top of the hourly rate.
- Check whether a company vehicle, tools and on-call pay are included.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Chicago metro. Occupation: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.