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Plumbers and pipefitters in Illinois: what they earn
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Illinois earned a median $99,950 a year in May 2025, $48.05 an hour. 16,750 people held the job, 2.7 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. That median is 57% above the national figure of $63,800, and Illinois ranks 2 of 51 by pay for this trade.
How to become a plumber in Illinois — license tiers, required hours, exam and fees, sourced from Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). ↓
The full wage spread in Illinois
| Point | Hourly | Annual | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $24.16 | $50,250 | A tenth of the workforce earns less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $34.65 | $72,070 | A quarter earn less. |
| Median | $48.05 | $99,950 | Half earn less, half earn more. |
| 75th percentile | $57.72 | $120,050 | A quarter earn more. |
| 90th percentile | $60.79 | $126,430 | A tenth earn more than this. |
| Mean | $44.91 | $93,400 | The average. Pulled up by the top earners. |
Annual figures are the hourly rate times 2,080 hours, BLS's full-time year. Overtime is inside the survey's earnings but not separated out.
Illinois against its neighbors on the pay ladder
| # | State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $101,020 | 1,010 |
| 2 | Illinois | $99,950 | 16,750 |
| 3 | Oregon | $97,050 | 5,370 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $94,410 | 10,720 |
| 5 | Alaska | $93,920 | 1,200 |
The complete ranking is on the Plumbers and pipefitters page.
Against the national figure
| Illinois | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $99,950 | $63,800 |
| Median hourly | $48.05 | $30.67 |
| 10th percentile, annual | $50,250 | $44,150 |
| 90th percentile, annual | $126,430 | $108,420 |
| Employed | 16,750 | 465,840 |
Other trades in Illinois
Electricians ($99,560) · HVAC technicians ($77,410) · Welders ($51,320) · Truck drivers (CDL) ($60,320)
See all five ranked by pay in Illinois.
How to become a plumber in Illinois
Illinois licenses plumbers at the state level through the Department of Public Health: a registered Apprentice Plumber (age 16, sponsored) leads, after four years and 5,600 hours, to a Licensed Plumber who passes the state exam. The licensing authority is Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
| License | What it takes | Experience | Exam | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Plumber | At least 16, sponsored by an Illinois licensed plumber or approved apprenticeship program; may be held up to 6 years before the licensing exam must be taken. | — | — | $100 |
| Licensed Plumber | At least four years and 5,600 hours as a licensed apprentice (or two years plus approved coursework), a high-school-level education, and a passing state plumbing exam. License fee $150; exam fee $175. | 5,600 hrs (≈ 2.5 yrs) | Illinois plumbing license examination ($175 exam fee) | $150 |
Renewal. Annual (renew by April 30), with 4 hours of continuing education.
Licensing sources: Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing (retrieved 2026-09-16) · Ill. Admin. Code tit. 68 §750.300 (experience) (retrieved 2026-09-16). Requirements change — confirm with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) before you act.
Compare the time and cost to get licensed across trades and states →
Common questions
Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Illinois?
Illinois licenses plumbers at the state level through the Department of Public Health: a registered Apprentice Plumber (age 16, sponsored) leads, after four years and 5,600 hours, to a Licensed Plumber who passes the state exam.
What does it cost to get licensed as a plumber in Illinois?
Application and license fees run from about $100 to $150 depending on the tier, with separate exam fees in some cases — see the table above.
How long does it take to become a plumber in Illinois?
You can be licensed as Licensed Plumber after about 2.5 years of on-the-job training (5,600 hours).
The pay and employment figures above are the May 2025 BLS estimates; the licensing detail is sourced separately from the state authority and dated inline. See how the numbers are built.