Plumber Salary - Midwest
Industrial stronghold with Chicago driving significant wage premiums
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 state median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it. State figures are averages -- wages vary significantly between metro and rural markets within the same state. City-level data coming soon.
The Midwest is a strong UA market defined by Chicago's dominance and a solid performing middle tier. Illinois leads the region with a median of $99,950 -- the highest in the country -- driven by Chicago UA locals that are among the most powerful in North America. Minnesota at $94,410 and Michigan at $80,190 round out the top performers. The region's industrial base -- manufacturing, power generation, and refineries -- creates consistent demand for commercial and industrial pipefitting that keeps employment stable.
The Midwest has strong UA presence across its major markets. Chicago's UA locals -- the plumbers and pipefitters -- are among the highest-paying in the country. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan all have strong UA presence in their major metros. The industrial sector adds another layer -- manufacturing facilities, power plants, and chemical plants across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan employ significant numbers of UA pipefitters and steamfitters. Outside the major metros union density drops but remains higher than the Southeast.
The Midwest offers strong purchasing power for plumbers and pipefitters. Illinois at 95.1 COL with a $99,950 median is exceptional value. Minnesota at 93.4 and Michigan at 93.9 offer above-median wages at below-average cost of living. Iowa at 88.6 and Kansas at 87.6 are among the most affordable states in the country. The industrial Midwest -- Ohio at 93.7, Indiana at 88.3 -- offers near-median wages at well below-average cost of living. For purchasing power the Midwest consistently outperforms the coasts.
- →Industrial manufacturing and process piping across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan's manufacturing corridor
- →Power generation and utility facility construction and maintenance across the region
- →EV battery and electric vehicle manufacturing facility construction requiring complex mechanical systems
- →Data center expansion into the Chicago metro and secondary Midwest markets
- →Renewable energy infrastructure -- biomass and industrial facilities requiring process piping
Chicago is one of the premier destinations for traveling journeymen in the country. UA local scale rates in Chicago are among the highest in North America and the market runs hot on major commercial and industrial projects. Minnesota UA locals pay strong wages with lower cost of living than coastal markets. The industrial corridor across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan creates consistent demand for travelers with industrial pipefitting experience. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current Chicago and industrial Midwest openings.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living -- what your paycheck actually buys relative to the national average.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $99,950 +$36,150 vs. national | 95.1 | $105,100 +$41,300 vs. national |
| Minnesota | $94,410 +$30,610 vs. national | 93.4 | $101,081 +$37,281 vs. national |
| Wisconsin | $81,210 +$17,410 vs. national | 97.4 | $83,378 +$19,578 vs. national |
| Michigan | $80,190 +$16,390 vs. national | 93.9 | $85,399 +$21,599 vs. national |
| Indiana | $76,320 +$12,520 vs. national | 88.3 | $86,433 +$22,633 vs. national |
| Missouri | $66,790 +$2,990 vs. national | 88.6 | $75,384 +$11,584 vs. national |
| Kansas | $65,220 +$1,420 vs. national | 87.6 | $74,452 +$10,652 vs. national |
| Iowa | $63,890 +$90 vs. national | 88.6 | $72,111 +$8,311 vs. national |
| North Dakota | $63,560 $-240 vs. national | 90.7 | $70,077 +$6,277 vs. national |
| Ohio | $63,330 $-470 vs. national | 93.7 | $67,588 +$3,788 vs. national |
| Nebraska | $60,970 $-2,830 vs. national | 91.3 | $66,780 +$2,980 vs. national |
| South Dakota | $51,620 $-12,180 vs. national | 94.1 | $54,857 $-8,943 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - Plumbers - 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.