How to Become a Home Remodeling and Repair Technician in Illinois (2026)
Illinois employs about 66,600 home remodeling and repair technicians earning a median $56,720 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most home remodeling and repair technicians train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Illinois.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Illinois): $56,720/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Illinois: 66,600 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.11x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 3.8% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Illinois employs approximately 66,600 home remodeling and repair technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,720 1. Nationally, home remodeling and repair technician employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 159,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a home remodeling and repair technician in Illinois, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Home Remodeling and Repair Technician Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), carpenters wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 59,930 | $63,340 | $64,652 | $37,902 | $90,893 |
| St. Louis | 20,380 | $59,965 | $61,803 | $39,391 | $86,483 |
| Rockford | 2,790 | $59,173 | $61,458 | $38,969 | $86,256 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 2,610 | $53,572 | $56,453 | $36,257 | $80,980 |
| Peoria | 2,460 | $58,576 | $60,641 | $36,895 | $86,496 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 1,600 | $57,531 | $57,891 | $37,405 | $81,980 |
| Decatur | 1,530 | $64,420 | $66,504 | $44,465 | $79,963 |
| Springfield | 1,220 | $55,610 | $57,735 | $35,747 | $83,052 |
| Bloomington | 880 | $53,363 | $56,223 | $35,496 | $81,133 |
| Paducah | 840 | $48,053 | $50,658 | $32,378 | $72,784 |
| Cape Girardeau | 670 | $52,836 | $56,359 | $36,146 | $80,346 |
| Kankakee | 640 | $65,315 | $61,676 | $38,086 | $81,476 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Illinois): $56,720 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Home Remodeling and Repair Technician in Illinois
How to become a home remodeling and repair technician in Illinois? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for home remodeling and repair technicians in Illinois.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do home remodeling and repair technicians earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for home remodeling and repair technicians in Illinois is $56,720 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,120 and experienced professionals can earn $80,740 or more 1.
How to Become a Home Remodeling and Repair Technician in Illinois
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Illinois training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Illinois that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to home remodeling and repair technicians in Illinois before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for home remodeling and repair technicians in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 66,600 home remodeling and repair technicians 1. Nationally, home remodeling and repair technician employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Illinois.
How much do home remodeling and repair technicians earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home remodeling and repair technicians in Illinois is $56,720, which is $8,100 above the national median of $48,620 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |