How to Become A Plumber in Illinois
Illinois employs approximately 16,750 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $99,950 1. Nationally, plumber 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 plumber in Illinois, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Illinois
How do I become a plumber in Illinois? Illinois requires credentials such as PLUMBER, PLUMBER, APPRENTICE. The licensing authority is the Illinois Department of Public Health 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
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.
Do I need a license in Illinois? Yes. Illinois has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Illinois Department of Public Health oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for plumbers 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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Illinois Department of Public Health
- Median wage (Illinois): $99,950 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Plumber License Requirements in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Public Health oversees plumber licensing in Illinois 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PLUMBER | An individual who installs water supply and distribution lines and drain, waste and vent systems within and throughout houses and other buildings. |
| PLUMBER, APPRENTICE | An individual who installs water supply and distribution lines and drain, waste and vent systems throughout houses and other buildings under the supervision of a licensed plumber. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber 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 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: BEST, Inc
- Address: 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348
- Phone: (815) 224-0375
- Email: [email protected]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Plumbers in Illinois
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 12,750 | $103,380 |
| Peoria | 560 | $85,090 |
| Rockford | 440 | $94,230 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 390 | $95,530 |
| Springfield | 220 | $94,370 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Illinois
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Illinois earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Illinois general wage determinations show approximately $42.70 per hour in base pay plus $30.98 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $73.68 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within plumber work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 16,750 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Illinois with an out-of-state license? Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
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. You can also contact the Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do plumbers earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Illinois is $99,950, which is $36,980 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.
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 Public Health - Licensing Information: http://www.idph.state.il.us ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
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) |