Plumber in Illinois
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL
How to Become a Plumber in Illinois
To become a licensed plumber in Illinois, individuals must first complete a 4 to 6-year apprenticeship program, accumulating a minimum of 5,600 hours of experience. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) oversees the licensing process. After completing the apprenticeship, applicants must pass the Illinois Plumber's License Examination. While Illinois does not have statewide reciprocity with other states, plumbers licensed in the City of Chicago who have completed a four-year apprenticeship may be eligible for a state license without re-examination.
Plumber Requirements in Illinois
| Detail | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Illinois Department of Public Health |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of a US DOL-approved apprenticeship program. |
| Experience Required | 5,600.0 hours |
| Exam | Illinois Plumber's License Examination ($175) |
| Application Fee | $150 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 4.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age for an apprentice plumber is 16 years old. To become a licensed plumber, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have completed at least two years of high school or equivalent. Illinois has a single 'Plumber' license tier above apprentice. To own a business, one must register as a Plumbing Contractor. |
License Tiers
Illinois offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Plumber | 8,000 |
Plumber Salary in Illinois
The median plumber salary in Illinois is $96,200 per year, which is 52.8% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,880 |
| 25th | $63,710 |
| 50th (median) | $96,200 |
| 75th | $116,180 |
| 90th (experienced) | $123,290 |
Illinois employs approximately 18,730 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.12/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Plumber in Illinois Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $400 and a median salary of $96,200 in Illinois, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Illinois's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.