Pipefitter in Illinois: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Illinois employs 16,750 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $99,950 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Illinois licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Illinois (May 2025)

Illinois median pay: $99,950 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,250
Experienced (75th percentile): $120,050
Top earners (90th percentile): $126,430
Employed in Illinois: 16,750
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for pipefitters in major Illinois markets:

Chicago metro: $103,380 (12,750 employed)
Champaign–Urbana: $95,530 (390 employed)
Springfield: $94,370 (220 employed)
Rockford: $94,230 (440 employed)
Peoria: $85,090 (560 employed)
Bloomington: $77,700 (180 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Illinois

Prices in Illinois run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $99,950 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Illinois (2024–2034)

Illinois is projected to grow pipefitters employment +5.2%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,730 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Illinois License and Certification Requirements

UA Journeyman Pipefitter/Steamfitter (apprenticeship credential) — regulated by the No Illinois state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential.

Illinois does not issue an individual pipefitter or steamfitter mechanic license separate from the plumbing license. The entry path is a UA (United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters) Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship: 5 years, 10,000 OJT hours, covering piping systems, steam, hydronics, process piping, welding, and rigging.
Pipefitters specialize in high-pressure systems — steam, chemical process piping, HVAC hydronic distribution, and refrigeration piping — distinct from residential plumbing. Apprentices earn wages from day one at roughly 50% of journeyman scale, stepping up annually.
Apply to the local UA pipefitter/steamfitter JATC. Work sites include power plants, refineries, industrial plants, large commercial HVAC projects, and hospitals. Journeymen with welding certifications (ASME, AWS) command premium wages.

Official requirements: No Illinois state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential →

Training in Illinois

Contact UA Local 597 (Chicago — one of the largest pipefitter locals in the US) to apply for the pipefitter/steamfitter apprenticeship. Some states and cities (notably NYC and Chicago) have additional local licensing for steamfitters — check with your local JATC for any city-level requirements in Illinois.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Illinois include:

City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College — Certificate
Lewis and Clark Community College — Certificate
Parkland College — Certificate
Triton College — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want strong union wages and enjoy precision mechanical work in industrial or commercial settings.

Think twice if: Industrial job sites, confined spaces, and working with high-pressure systems sound dangerous rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.

First Steps

Contact UA (United Association) Local pipefitter apprenticeship programs in your area — separate from plumber apprenticeships.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do pipefitters make in Illinois?

The median wage for pipefitters in Illinois is $99,950 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,250, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $126,430. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Pipefitter in Illinois?

UA Journeyman Pipefitter/Steamfitter (apprenticeship credential), overseen by the No Illinois state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential. Illinois does not issue an individual pipefitter or steamfitter mechanic license separate from the plumbing license. The entry path is a UA (United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters) Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship: 5 years, 10,000 OJT hours, covering piping systems, steam, hydronics, process piping, welding, and rigging.

Is being a Pipefitter a good career in Illinois?

Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.

Which Illinois metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Illinois metro areas, Chicago metro leads at $103,380, followed by Champaign–Urbana ($95,530), Springfield ($94,370). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Pipefitter in Illinois?

Real Illinois options include City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College, Lewis and Clark Community College, Parkland College. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Illinois?

Illinois projects pipefitters employment to change +5.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,730 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Illinois statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Illinois state individual pipefitter license — UA apprenticeship is the credential (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Illinois wages · Illinois licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.