Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Illinois
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
Every trade in Illinois, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $64.27 | $133,690 | $80.16 | 1,080 | 9th of 37 | +18.9% | 22% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $52.48 | $109,160 | $82.89 | 19,160 | 28th of 51 | -12.3% | 5% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $51.98 | $108,120 | $62.13 | 3,090 | 12th of 51 | +4.7% | 13% above |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $50.84 | $105,750 | $63.75 | 19,340 | 2nd of 51 | +1.9% | 32% above |
| 5 | Ironworker | $48.97 | $101,850 | $59.83 | 2,740 | 4th of 50 | -14.9% | 62% above |
| 6 | Plumber | $48.05 | $99,950 | $60.79 | 16,750 | 2nd of 51 | -3.2% | 57% above |
| 7 | Boilermaker | $47.95 | $99,730 | $56.38 | 110 | 4th of 37 | +18.9% | 31% above |
| 8 | Electrician | $47.87 | $99,560 | $59.45 | 23,120 | 2nd of 51 | -1.0% | 58% above |
| 9 | Heavy equipment operator | $46.99 | $97,740 | $59.30 | 12,290 | 2nd of 51 | -3.6% | 63% above |
| 10 | Plasterer | $45.09 | $93,790 | $50.83 | 270 | 4th of 28 | -17.1% | 63% above |
| 11 | Brickmason | $43.26 | $89,980 | $52.73 | 2,490 | 3rd of 50 | -13.9% | 45% above |
| 12 | Sheet metal worker | $41.65 | $86,630 | $56.69 | 3,260 | 5th of 50 | -17.5% | 40% above |
| 13 | Carpenter | $37.98 | $79,000 | $56.57 | 19,570 | 2nd of 51 | +5.4% | 30% above |
| 14 | Cement mason | $37.58 | $78,170 | $51.77 | 5,890 | 3rd of 51 | +3.0% | 37% above |
| 15 | Roofer | $37.45 | $77,900 | $51.22 | 5,300 | 1st of 51 | +36.9% | 41% above |
| 16 | HVAC technician | $37.21 | $77,410 | $56.51 | 9,740 | 3rd of 51 | +9.4% | 27% above |
| 17 | Tile setter | $32.29 | $67,160 | $54.22 | 730 | 7th of 47 | +5.0% | 21% above |
| 18 | Millwright | $32.04 | $66,640 | $50.93 | 2,160 | 20th of 48 | -0.9% | 1% above |
| 19 | Diesel mechanic | $30.93 | $64,340 | $46.96 | 11,320 | 18th of 51 | +2.7% | 4% above |
| 20 | Drywall installer | $30.38 | $63,180 | $53.18 | 740 | 8th of 49 | -13.5% | 7% above |
| 21 | Glazier | $29.73 | $61,840 | $49.04 | 1,410 | 13th of 50 | +12.0% | 8% above |
| 22 | Crane operator | $29.72 | $61,820 | $63.12 | 1,220 | 37th of 50 | +15.0% | 9% below |
| 23 | Painter | $29.45 | $61,260 | $50.65 | 6,820 | 2nd of 51 | -8.4% | 24% above |
| 24 | Construction laborer | $29.18 | $60,690 | $50.50 | 35,940 | 4th of 51 | -10.2% | 29% above |
| 25 | Solar installer | $28.67 | $59,630 | $49.74 | — | 9th of 32 | — | 12% above |
| 26 | Machinist | $28.13 | $58,520 | $37.64 | 16,520 | 30th of 51 | +17.6% | about the same as |
| 27 | Insulation worker | $25.48 | $53,000 | $45.76 | 780 | 15th of 48 | — | 8% above |
| 28 | Welder | $24.67 | $51,320 | $36.89 | 16,260 | 34th of 51 | +4.8% | 5% below |
Most in-demand trades in Illinois
By the Illinois labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+169.5%), construction managers (+9.7%), linemen (+9.7%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (3,200 a year), electricians (2,380 a year), carpenters (2,350 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 77,550 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +169.5% | 60 | 200 | $28.67 |
| Construction manager | +9.7% | 2,090 | 24,160 | $52.48 |
| Lineman | +9.7% | 320 | 3,650 | $51.98 |
| Electrician | +9.7% | 2,380 | 23,990 | $47.87 |
| Tile setter | +9.1% | 100 | 1,260 | $32.29 |
| HVAC technician | +8.9% | 820 | 8,650 | $37.21 |
| Construction laborer | +7.9% | 3,200 | 35,660 | $29.18 |
| Roofer | +6.3% | 530 | 6,910 | $37.45 |
| Construction supervisor | +6.0% | 1,690 | 20,670 | $50.84 |
| Elevator mechanic | +5.8% | 80 | 950 | $64.27 |
| Carpenter | +5.8% | 2,350 | 29,790 | $37.98 |
| Plumber | +5.2% | 1,730 | 19,580 | $48.05 |
| Ironworker | +4.9% | 280 | 3,270 | $48.97 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +4.5% | 1,020 | 11,720 | $46.99 |
| Drywall installer | +4.4% | 60 | 870 | $30.38 |
| Painter | +4.4% | 760 | 9,170 | $29.45 |
| Plasterer | +4.1% | 20 | 320 | $45.09 |
| Insulation worker | +4.1% | 90 | 1,060 | $25.48 |
| Glazier | +4.0% | 200 | 2,320 | $29.73 |
| Brickmason | +3.4% | 350 | 4,610 | $43.26 |
| Crane operator | +3.0% | 100 | 1,100 | $29.72 |
| Diesel mechanic | +2.8% | 870 | 10,410 | $30.93 |
| Cement mason | +2.1% | 440 | 6,370 | $37.58 |
| Boilermaker | +2.0% | 10 | 150 | $47.95 |
| Sheet metal worker | +1.7% | 360 | 4,330 | $41.65 |
| Millwright | +0.1% | 160 | 1,860 | $32.04 |
| Welder | -1.8% | 1,710 | 18,180 | $24.67 |
| Machinist | -5.2% | 1,470 | 16,200 | $28.13 |
Source: Illinois long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in Illinois
Prevailing wage in Illinois
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Illinois, 102 of 102 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $83.99/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Illinois
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Illinois?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $64.27 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($52.48) and linemen ($51.98).
Which trades are in highest demand in Illinois?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+169.5%), construction managers (+9.7%), linemen (+9.7%). By openings a year, construction laborers (3,200 a year), electricians (2,380 a year), carpenters (2,350 a year). The figures come from Illinois's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Illinois compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 24 pay above the national median in Illinois and 4 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 100.0% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Illinois.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).