Plumber Salary in Chicago
Metro area wage data for plumbers and pipefitters from the BLS OEWS program, May 2025.
Wage figures reflect all plumbers across all employment types, union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the area median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it.
UA Local 130 anchors one of the largest straight-line plumbing markets in the country.
Chicago's plumber market runs through UA Local 130, one of the largest straight-line plumbing locals in the UA with over 6,100 members. Illinois prevailing wage law applies to public construction, and the metro's density of commercial, industrial, and infrastructure work sustains consistent above-average demand. Healthcare and data center construction have added to the pipeline in recent years.
- →UA Local 130 — one of the UA's largest straight-line plumbing locals
- →Illinois Prevailing Wage Act covers public construction
- →Healthcare and data center construction sustaining commercial demand
UA Local 130 journeyman plumber Journey-Level Rate
Union scale reflects the UA Local 130 journeyman plumber journey-level rate under the current collective bargaining agreement. The BLS area median reflects all plumbers across all employment types and experience levels.
| Training Center | Plumbers' Joint Apprenticeship Committee, Local 130 UA |
| Address | 1400 W. Washington Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60607-1821 |
| Phone | (312) 421-1028 |
| Minimum Score | No minimum |
| Application Window | Online only via apply.jac130.org; opens seasonally — recent cycles opened November |
Applying to UA Local 130?
The aptitude test is required for all applicants to UA Local 130. See what to expect and how to prepare.
What to expect →All plumbers — union and non-union, all experience levels
All plumbers — union and non-union, all experience levels. Wage figures only, employer-paid benefits, pension contributions, and health and welfare are not included.
| Annual Median Wage | $103,380 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $96,430 |
| Hourly Median Wage | $49.70 |
| Hourly Mean Wage | $46.36 |
| Total Employed | 12,750 |
| Area Type | Metropolitan Area |
Journey-level rates sourced directly from local collective bargaining agreements across the country's major construction markets. Union density and market conditions vary significantly by region.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - SOC 47-2152 (Plumbers and Pipefitters) - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.