Boilermaker salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Boilermakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $109,640 a year ($52.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,660 for the top 10%. That is 43% higher than the national median of $76,410. Pay here is 10% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $99,730. There are 0.02 boilermakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $103,930, close to the median.
Pay range for boilermakers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| 25th percentile | $100,560 | $48.35 |
| Median | $109,640 | $52.71 |
| 75th percentile | $116,690 | $56.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,660 | $56.57 |
| Average (mean) | $103,930 | $49.96 |
Half of boilermakers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,136.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,568.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,216.92 |
| Weekly | $2,108.46 |
| Hourly | $52.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Boilermaker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $94,640 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for boilermakers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,150 |
| Mississippi | $105,910 |
| New Mexico | $101,200 |
| Illinois | $99,730 |
| Michigan | $98,220 |
| Wisconsin | $97,590 |
| Minnesota | $96,190 |
| Washington | $95,200 |
| Indiana | $91,410 |
| Colorado | $89,350 |
See Boilermaker pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $60,890 | $29.27 |
| Electrician | $102,350 | $49.21 |
| Carpenter | $80,440 | $38.68 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $103,100 | $49.57 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $61,740 | $29.68 |
| Roofer | $82,090 | $39.47 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $81,020 | $38.95 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $95,310 | $45.82 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $89,980 | $43.26 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $102,350 | $49.21 |
| Glazier | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $70,370 | $33.83 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $103,690 | $49.85 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a boilermaker make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for boilermakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $109,640 a year, or $52.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid boilermakers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of boilermakers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $117,660 a year. The top 25% earn $116,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for boilermakers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,410 a year, and a quarter of boilermakers earn $100,560 or less.
How many boilermakers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 90 boilermakers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.