How much do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

Percentile spread

For Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, the published 10th percentile is $38,290 and the 90th percentile is $46,430. The difference is $8,140, which is 20.5% of the median. Ten percent of measured wages fall below the 10th percentile and ten percent fall above the 90th. How to read a percentile.

The middle half of the distribution, from the 25th percentile at $38,300 to the 75th at $46,430, covers $8,130.

The mean annual wage is $42,640, which sits above the median of $39,710. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.

National and state comparison

The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median is 6.3% lower than the national median of $42,360 for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. In 2024 national prices the local median is $38,332, which is 9.5% lower than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.

It is 3.7% higher than the Illinois median of $38,300.

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN covers more than one state. The state comparison uses Illinois, the primary state on the BLS area record.

Price-adjusted pay

The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 103.595, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $39,710 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters at $38,332 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.

Nearby metros

6 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ranks 4th of 7 on that median, counting itself. Distance is the great-circle mileage between Census Bureau internal points (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files, Core Based Statistical Areas, internal points (INTPTLAT, INTPTLONG).).

• Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is 80 miles away, with a median of $39,020. That median is 1.7% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $40,253, against $38,332 here.
• Madison, WI is 128 miles away, with a median of $45,760 and employment of 60. That median is 15.2% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $47,036, against $38,332 here.
• Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI is 137 miles away, with a median of $47,100. That median is 18.6% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $49,296, against $38,332 here.