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

Skilled trades

Illinois employs 16,750 plumbers, 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 Plumbers 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 plumbers 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 plumbers 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

Apprentice Plumber license → Illinois Plumber license (statewide) — regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — statewide plumbing licensure.

Unlike its neighbors, Illinois licenses plumbers statewide through the Department of Public Health — get an Apprentice Plumber license (16+, sponsored by a licensed plumber or approved program).
Complete roughly 4–5 years of supervised apprenticeship (about 8,000 hours) plus approved course instruction.
Pass the Illinois plumber's examination on the state plumbing code. Chicago additionally runs its own journeyman plumber licensing.

Official requirements: Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — statewide plumbing licensure →

Training in Illinois

Illinois's statewide plumbing license is portable across the state — a real advantage over the city-by-city patchwork in electrical. UA locals (130 in Chicago is one of the nation's largest) run premier paid apprenticeships.

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 durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Illinois?

The median wage for plumbers 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 Plumber in Illinois?

Apprentice Plumber license → Illinois Plumber license (statewide), overseen by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — statewide plumbing licensure. Unlike its neighbors, Illinois licenses plumbers statewide through the Department of Public Health — get an Apprentice Plumber license (16+, sponsored by a licensed plumber or approved program).

Is being a Plumber a good career in Illinois?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Illinois metros pay plumbers 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 Plumber in Illinois?

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

Is Plumber a growing career in Illinois?

Illinois projects plumbers 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 Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) — statewide plumbing licensure (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.