Pipelayer salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Pipelayers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $54,520 a year ($26.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,580 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $49,000. Pay here is 10% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $49,590. There are 0.06 pipelayers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.26). The average (mean) salary is $56,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for pipelayers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,900 | $20.63 |
| 25th percentile | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Median | $54,520 | $26.21 |
| 75th percentile | $62,410 | $30.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,580 | $35.85 |
| Average (mean) | $56,840 | $27.33 |
Half of pipelayers 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 | $4,543.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,271.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,096.92 |
| Weekly | $1,048.46 |
| Hourly | $26.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pipelayer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $90,880 | 40 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $74,180 | 490 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $70,910 | 170 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $52,550 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for pipelayers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $86,870 |
| Washington | $82,450 |
| Minnesota | $81,980 |
| New Jersey | $78,830 |
| California | $76,180 |
| Indiana | $73,580 |
| Massachusetts | $72,770 |
| Ohio | $71,560 |
| New York | $70,370 |
| Oregon | $64,230 |
See Pipelayer 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 47-2151. 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 pipelayer make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for pipelayers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $54,520 a year, or $26.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pipelayers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of pipelayers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $74,580 a year. The top 25% earn $62,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for pipelayers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,900 a year, and a quarter of pipelayers earn $45,700 or less.
How many pipelayers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 250 pipelayers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.