Highest Paying Trades in Chicago
2025 salary data · COL Index: 107
50
Trades Tracked
$65,831
Avg Median Salary
107
COL Index
63
Avg Trade Pay Score
Trade Salaries in Chicago
| Trade | Category | Median | Range (10th-90th) | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager | Management | $121,490 | $74,101 – $188,785 | B | 6,731 |
| Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $105,504 | $65,148 – $157,014 | A | 7,060 |
| Power Line Installer | Electrical | $94,049 | $58,220 – $134,188 | A | 7,395 |
| Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $90,962 | $58,896 – $140,123 | A | 6,000 |
| Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $84,099 | $51,678 – $123,039 | C | 3,333 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive | $82,252 | $49,859 – $125,585 | B | 5,530 |
| Underwater Welder | Welding | $81,690 | $51,233 – $116,137 | C | 4,145 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $76,542 | $48,606 – $111,907 | A | 8,755 |
| Building Inspector | Management | $76,221 | $46,153 – $109,005 | C | 3,676 |
| Pipefitter | Plumbing | $73,953 | $44,936 – $104,105 | B | 4,011 |
| Millwright | Industrial | $72,871 | $46,772 – $110,975 | C | 4,674 |
| Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $72,870 | $43,270 – $110,203 | B | 5,359 |
| Boilermaker | Industrial | $71,954 | $46,278 – $103,830 | C | 3,096 |
| Steamfitter | Plumbing | $71,407 | $44,490 – $110,338 | C | 5,214 |
| Industrial Electrician | Electrical | $71,245 | $44,652 – $107,085 | B | 4,655 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial | $69,861 | $44,249 – $104,591 | B | 6,112 |
| Carpenter | Construction | $69,705 | $45,013 – $98,019 | C | 3,987 |
| Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $68,994 | $40,751 – $104,413 | B | 4,476 |
| Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $68,015 | $40,583 – $101,873 | B | 4,299 |
| Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $67,940 | $42,737 – $98,558 | C | 3,512 |
| HVAC Technician | HVAC | $67,865 | $42,783 – $103,467 | B | 6,753 |
| Plumber | Plumbing | $65,606 | $38,953 – $100,722 | B | 4,301 |
| Electrician | Electrical | $65,562 | $42,207 – $96,774 | B | 5,446 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $65,159 | $40,809 – $92,497 | C | 3,895 |
| Mason (Bricklayer) | Construction | $64,675 | $41,357 – $98,767 | C | 2,968 |
| Tool and Die Maker | Metalwork | $63,692 | $37,986 – $94,194 | D | 2,613 |
| Ironworker | Structural | $61,751 | $38,522 – $92,522 | C | 4,391 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $59,766 | $38,610 – $92,273 | C | 3,753 |
| Plasterer | Construction | $58,137 | $35,306 – $88,480 | D | 1,737 |
| Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $57,824 | $34,764 – $84,302 | C | 6,059 |
| Concrete Finisher | Construction | $57,812 | $34,425 – $85,779 | C | 4,632 |
| Drywall Installer | Construction | $57,753 | $34,032 – $89,023 | D | 2,854 |
| Machinist | Metalwork | $57,619 | $35,964 – $89,142 | C | 3,477 |
| Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $57,558 | $36,256 – $89,273 | C | 5,208 |
| Tile Setter | Construction | $57,399 | $34,464 – $80,717 | D | 3,577 |
| Structural Welder | Welding | $56,632 | $36,488 – $87,618 | C | 5,354 |
| Welder | Welding | $55,958 | $34,954 – $82,206 | C | 5,011 |
| Auto Mechanic | Automotive | $55,878 | $35,219 – $78,642 | D | 3,670 |
| Glazier | Construction | $54,674 | $35,511 – $77,050 | D | 4,077 |
| Locksmith | Specialty | $53,680 | $34,581 – $80,266 | D | 2,993 |
| Insulation Worker | Construction | $53,066 | $33,331 – $79,448 | C | 5,096 |
| Floor Layer | Construction | $52,802 | $31,179 – $79,265 | D | 3,627 |
| Well Driller | Specialty | $52,221 | $30,767 – $74,089 | D | 3,732 |
| Solar PV Installer | Electrical | $51,811 | $30,607 – $76,824 | B | 8,493 |
| Roofer | Construction | $51,586 | $32,500 – $79,614 | D | 3,782 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $50,016 | $31,945 – $74,883 | D | 6,200 |
| Scaffold Builder | Construction | $49,326 | $29,919 – $71,905 | D | 3,527 |
| CNC Machine Operator | Metalwork | $48,346 | $29,173 – $73,431 | D | 2,497 |
| Painter (Construction) | Construction | $48,155 | $31,273 – $69,204 | D | 2,799 |
| Septic Tank Servicer | Plumbing | $47,594 | $28,202 – $68,856 | D | 2,869 |
About Trade Pay in Chicago
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 107, which is 7% above the national average. This means trade salaries here need to be higher to maintain equivalent purchasing power.
The highest-paying trade in Chicago is Construction Manager with a median salary of $121,490. Across all 50 trades tracked, the average median salary is $65,831. Despite higher living costs, strong union presence and infrastructure demand keep trade wages competitive.
Compare Chicago against other metros on the best cities for trade workers ranking, or see the highest paying trades nationally.