Highest Paying Trades in Illinois

The top skilled trades in Illinois, ranked by median annual salary. Click any trade to see detailed salary breakdowns and metro-level data.

Rank	Trade	Median Salary	Employment	Growth
1	Stationary Engineers & Boiler Operators	$112,230	1,670	+8.2%
2	Electrical Power-Line Installers (Linemen)	$105,970	3,670	+8.8%
3	Reinforcing Iron & Rebar Workers	$102,260	100	+5.2%
4	Structural Iron & Steel Workers	$101,030	3,250	+4.5%
5	Insulation Workers	$100,640	450	+5.2%
6	Operating Engineers (Heavy Equipment)	$96,980	11,690	+4.1%
7	Electricians	$96,360	22,880	+5.2%
8	Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters	$96,200	18,730	+4.9%
9	Boilermakers	$95,340	150	+5.9%
10	Sheet Metal Workers	$93,570	4,240	+5.2%
11	Cement Masons & Concrete Finishers	$77,450	5,980	+8.1%
12	Carpenters	$76,410	24,930	+5.2%
13	Millwrights	$75,510	1,850	+5.4%
14	HVAC Mechanics & Installers	$71,620	8,510	+5.7%
15	Heating, AC & Refrigeration Mechanics	$71,620	8,510	+5.7%
16	Drywall Installers	$69,810	750	+5%
17	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics	$67,520	2,960	+5.5%
18	Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$66,770	9,460	+5.5%
19	Bus & Truck Mechanics	$62,750	9,920	+8.5%
20	Painters (Construction & Maintenance)	$62,390	6,700	+5.5%
21	Machinists	$56,700	16,100	+8.3%
22	Maintenance & Repair Workers	$54,220	71,100	+8.1%
23	Automotive Service Technicians	$50,450	26,710	+8%
24	Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers	$49,730	17,340	+8.2%
25	Pipelayers	$49,030	230	+8.5%
26	Helpers — Pipelayers, Plumbers & Pipefitters	$41,050	0	+8.5%
27	Helpers — Installation, Maintenance & Repair	$35,100	1,020	+8.5%
28	Helpers — Electricians	$31,020	350	+8.4%

Explore Trades in Illinois