Plumber pay in Chicago, IL
Plumbers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a typical $103,380 a year. The middle half earn $74,300 to $122,540, and the top 10% earn more than $127,200. About 12,750 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, SOC 47-2152).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $53,960 |
| 25th percentile | $74,300 |
| Median (typical) | $103,380 |
| 75th percentile | $122,540 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $127,200 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 2 of 50 large metros for plumbers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $103,380, a single filer keeps about $76,600 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and Illinois state income tax. Prices in Chicago are 4% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $73,900 would in a typical US city. That ranks Chicago No. 1 of 50 large metros for plumbers after cost of living.
Where plumbers’ pay goes furthest
- Minneapolis, MN$101,630 typical · worth $71.5k
- San Jose, CA$107,560 typical · worth $71.3k
- Seattle, WA$95,230 typical · worth $68.2k
- Portland, OR$101,010 typical · worth $68.1k
Where does your salary land?
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Common questions
How much does a plumber make in Chicago, IL?
The typical (median) plumber in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earns $103,380 a year. The middle half earn between $74,300 and $122,540, and the top 10% earn more than $127,200. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a plumber in Chicago?
Anything above $103,380 pays more than half of plumbers in Chicago. $122,540 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $127,200 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a plumber in Chicago take home after taxes?
At the typical $103,380, a single filer keeps about $76,600 a year ($6,380 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, Illinois state income tax. With local prices 4% above the US average, that buys what $73,900 would in a typical US city.
Where do plumbers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical plumber pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in Minneapolis, MN, San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA. Chicago, IL ranks No. 1.
More: Plumber pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Chicago, IL
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.