Boilermaker salary in Illinois
Boilermakers in Illinois earn a median of $99,730 a year ($47.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,270 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $76,410. Illinois ranks 4th of 37 states for boilermakers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 boilermakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $98,300, close to the median.
Pay range for boilermakers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,690 | $40.24 |
| 25th percentile | $89,520 | $43.04 |
| Median | $99,730 | $47.95 |
| 75th percentile | $103,430 | $49.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,270 | $56.38 |
| Average (mean) | $98,300 | $47.26 |
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 | $8,310.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,155.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,835.77 |
| Weekly | $1,917.88 |
| Hourly | $47.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Boilermaker salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $109,640 | 90 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Electrician | $99,560 | $47.87 |
| Carpenter | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $99,950 | $48.05 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Roofer | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $89,980 | $43.26 |
| Glazier | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $69,880 | $33.60 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $100,400 | $48.27 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for boilermakers in Illinois is $99,730 a year, or $47.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid boilermakers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of boilermakers in Illinois earn at least $117,270 a year. The top 25% earn $103,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for boilermakers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,690 a year, and a quarter of boilermakers earn $89,520 or less.
How many boilermakers work in Illinois?
About 110 boilermakers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.