Highest-Paying Trades in Illinois 2026

50 skilled trades tracked in Illinois metro areas. The top-paying trade is Construction Manager at $121,490 median salary. Data from BLS OEWS (2025).

#	Trade	Median Salary	Cities	Avg Score
1	Construction Manager	$121,490	1	83
2	Elevator Mechanic	$105,504	1	89
3	Power Line Installer	$94,049	1	89
4	Electrical Power-Line Tech	$90,962	1	88
5	Pile Driver Operator	$84,099	1	65
6	Aircraft Mechanic	$82,252	1	71
7	Underwater Welder	$81,690	1	65
8	Wind Turbine Technician	$76,542	1	94
9	Building Inspector	$76,221	1	63
10	Pipefitter	$73,953	1	72
11	Millwright	$72,871	1	68
12	Telecommunications Tech	$72,870	1	71
13	Boilermaker	$71,954	1	57
14	Steamfitter	$71,407	1	66
15	Industrial Electrician	$71,245	1	74
16	Industrial Machinery Mechanic	$69,861	1	71
17	Carpenter	$69,705	1	61
18	Crane Operator	$68,994	1	70
19	Fire Sprinkler Fitter	$68,015	1	72
20	Diesel Mechanic	$67,940	1	65
21	HVAC Technician	$67,865	1	80
22	Plumber	$65,606	1	73
23	Electrician	$65,562	1	73
24	Heavy Equipment Operator	$65,159	1	63
25	Mason (Bricklayer)	$64,675	1	55
26	Tool and Die Maker	$63,692	1	50
27	Ironworker	$61,751	1	62
28	Sheet Metal Worker	$59,766	1	58
29	Plasterer	$58,137	1	46
30	Refrigeration Mechanic	$57,824	1	68
31	Concrete Finisher	$57,812	1	56
32	Drywall Installer	$57,753	1	50
33	Machinist	$57,619	1	55
34	Environmental Engineering Tech	$57,558	1	65
35	Tile Setter	$57,399	1	51
36	Structural Welder	$56,632	1	59
37	Welder	$55,958	1	57
38	Auto Mechanic	$55,878	1	48
39	Glazier	$54,674	1	53
40	Locksmith	$53,680	1	45
41	Insulation Worker	$53,066	1	57
42	Floor Layer	$52,802	1	47
43	Well Driller	$52,221	1	47
44	Solar PV Installer	$51,811	1	80
45	Roofer	$51,586	1	50
46	Maintenance Mechanic	$50,016	1	54
47	Scaffold Builder	$49,326	1	45
48	CNC Machine Operator	$48,346	1	45
49	Painter (Construction)	$48,155	1	41
50	Septic Tank Servicer	$47,594	1	44

Skilled trade wage data for Illinois is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program.
— BLS OEWS (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

Construction Manager is the highest-paying skilled trade in Illinois with a median salary of $121,490 across 1 metro areas.

We track 50 skilled trades across metro areas in Illinois using Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data.

The Trade Pay Score (0-100, A-F) rates each trade-city combination on median wage vs. household income (30%), 5-year wage growth (25%), job demand (25%), and cost-of-living adjusted pay (20%).

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS

Trades ranked by median salary across metro areas in the state. Trade Pay Score: wage vs. household income (30%), 5-year growth (25%), job demand (25%), COL-adjusted pay (20%).

Best-Paying Trades Nationwide →All Trade Data for Illinois →