How to Become a Pipefitter in Illinois (2026)
Illinois employs about 16,750 pipefitters earning a median $99,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Illinois.
Compare Pipefitter Schools in Illinois
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | 65.2 | Contact school for pricing | $50,757 | 60% | Yes* | 161 mi |
| 2 | Waukesha County Technical College | 62.3 | Contact school for pricing | $57,764 | 45% | Yes* | 147 mi |
| 3 | Northeast Iowa Community College | 56.6 | $6,780 - $17,838 | $50,002 | 50% | Yes* | 211 mi |
| 4 | Kirkwood Community College | 56.3 | Contact school for pricing | $48,663 | Not reported | Yes* | 154 mi |
| 5 | Western Technical College | 56.2 | Contact school for pricing | $53,114 | 36% | Yes* | 226 mi |
| 6 | Gateway Technical College | 56.0 | $4,956 - $16,242 | $54,142 | 49% | Yes* | 124 mi |
| 7 | Triton College | 54.9 | Contact school for pricing | $52,701 | Not reported | Yes* | 85 mi |
| 8 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | 52.5 | $5,184 - $17,359 | $52,346 | 25% | Yes* | 150 mi |
| 9 | Ranken Technical College | 52.3 | Contact school for pricing | $65,096 | 52% | Yes* | 177 mi |
| 10 | St Charles Community College | 51.7 | $3,048 - $13,629 | $48,369 | 24% | Yes* | 180 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Illinois employs approximately 16,750 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $99,950 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pipefitter in Illinois, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Illinois): $99,950 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in Illinois
How to become a Pipefitter in Illinois? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in Illinois.
How long does it take? Most paths into the pipefitter field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do pipefitters earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Illinois is $99,950 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,250 and experienced professionals can earn $126,430 or more 1.
How to Become a Pipefitter 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 approved 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 as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Illinois.
- Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Illinois, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Pipefitter Apprenticeship Information in Illinois
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Illinois’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: BEST, Inc
- Address: 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348
- Phone: (815) 224-0375
- Email: [email protected]
Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters 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 | 12,750 | $103,380 | $96,430 | $53,960 | $127,200 |
| St. Louis | 4,060 | $77,000 | $81,070 | $47,040 | $121,230 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 680 | $76,310 | $74,510 | $46,560 | $100,930 |
| Peoria | 560 | $85,090 | $85,040 | $47,790 | $117,300 |
| Rockford | 440 | $94,230 | $89,830 | $50,930 | $120,140 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 390 | $95,530 | $89,200 | $50,680 | $112,850 |
| Paducah | 380 | $82,120 | $75,480 | $46,340 | $95,380 |
| Springfield | 220 | $94,370 | $87,330 | $48,400 | $121,250 |
| Bloomington | 180 | $77,700 | $76,600 | $47,190 | $102,730 |
| Decatur | 180 | $76,750 | $82,490 | $49,720 | $116,450 |
| Cape Girardeau | 120 | $65,180 | $71,660 | $40,100 | $104,070 |
| Kankakee | 110 | $81,620 | $82,810 | $38,510 | $120,290 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pipefitters in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 16,750 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% 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 programs in Illinois. You can also contact the Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do pipefitters earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Illinois is $99,950, which is $36,980 above the national median of $62,970 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
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) |