Plumber Salary

Elmhurst vs Springfield: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Elmhurst, IL and Springfield, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elmhurst, IL
$86,954
$41.81/hr
Springfield, IL
$96,748
$46.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElmhurst, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$86,954$96,748
Hourly Rate$41.81$46.51
Entry Level (P10)$62,396$49,620
25th Percentile$69,061$65,797
75th Percentile$111,302$106,180
Top Earner (P90)$134,779$124,305
Total Employed9220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elmhurst ($86,954) and Springfield ($96,748) plumber salaries.ElmhurstSpringfieldMedian Salary$86,954$96,748Entry Level (P10)$62,396$49,620Top Earner (P90)$134,779$124,305US Median $65,408

Verdict

Springfield, IL offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Elmhurst.

The salary gap between Elmhurst and Springfield is $9,794 (11.26%). Springfield's median is +47.91% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elmhurst spans $72,383,Springfield spans $74,685. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Elmhurst
P10 (Entry)$62,396
P25$69,061
Median$86,954
P75$111,302
P90 (Top)$134,779
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$49,620
P25$65,797
Median$96,748
P75$106,180
P90 (Top)$124,305

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($104,316 effective) pays 16.49% more than Elmhurst ($89,551 effective).

Elmhurst
Nominal: $86,954
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $89,551
Springfield
Nominal: $96,748
CoL Index: 92.745
Adjusted: $104,316

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elmhurst if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($134,779)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,748/year)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,316)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Elmhurst grew 2.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.2% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Elmhurst, IL

+2.6%

$82,669 (2024) → $84,817 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+4.2%

$90,540 (2019) → $94,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Elmhurst or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median plumber salary at $96,748/year, compared to Elmhurst at $86,954/year — a difference of $9,794 (11.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elmhurst and Springfield?

Elmhurst plumbers earn $41.81/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $46.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elmhurst to Springfield as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elmhurst and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elmhurst = $89,551, Springfield = $104,316), job availability (9 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Elmhurst vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $62,396 in Elmhurst and $49,620 in Springfield. The Elmhurst area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov