Plumber Hourly Pay in Carol Stream, IL: $42.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Carol Stream, IL runs $42.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,123 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Carol Stream's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,468 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Carol Stream, Illinois, the plumber hourly pay is projected to be $42.84 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $31.45. This favorable rate translates to approximately $3,427 for a part-time plumber working three days per week, or $14,230 annually. Plumbers typically work in diverse settings, such as residential service calls, commercial construction sites, and even hospital mechanical rooms. For entry-level plumbers, the hourly earnings could start at around $28.93, while top earners in the field can command rates as high as $66.41. This range reflects the various skills and specialties associated with plumbing, including the distinction between service plumbing and industrial work, highlighting the importance of experience and certifications in determining true earning potential.
About the Carol Stream Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.93 | $231.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.30 | $282.38 |
| Median (P50) | $42.84 | $342.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.85 | $438.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.41 | $531.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carol Stream
Based on $42.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.84/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carol Stream, IL can expect to earn approximately $89,114 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,412. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carol Stream.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carol Stream
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,713.72 | $7,426 | $89,114 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,028.23 | $4,456 | $53,468 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $685.49 | $2,970 | $35,645 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Carol Stream) | $42.84 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Pipefitter / Steamfitter (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Construction Laborer (National Avg) | $22.95 |
Plumbers in Carol Stream, IL earn a median of $89,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.26% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $91,879.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.84/hr = $53,468/year (purchasing power: $55,065).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,114/year (purchasing power: $91,775).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Carol Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Carol Stream grew 15.7% from $36.13/hr (2019) to $41.79/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.92/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem plumbers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carol Stream metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Plumber in Carol Stream
Examining the earning potential for part-time workers reveals how a 24-hour work week might equate to a decent return compared to full-time earnings. Per diem plumber pay in Carol Stream can vary widely based on the job type; travel pipefitters may see daily rates ranging from $100 to $175 atop a base hourly pay of $40 to $65. Self-employed plumbers, often commanding effective hourly rates between $100 and $180 in high-cost-of-living markets, illustrate differing financial strategies within the industry. Various employer types also play a pivotal role in hourly pay variation. Union plumbing contractors, for instance, often provide higher steady wages that include benefits, whereas non-union opportunities might offer flexible scheduling but less financial security. Negotiating hourly rates can also depend on skill set and certifications, particularly for specialties like medical gas and backflow prevention, where the union premium is most apparent. Understanding the nuances in employer offerings and aligning expectations accordingly can ultimately lead to better opportunities in the Carol Stream plumbing market.
More salary data for Carol Stream, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for plumbers in Carol Stream. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Carol Stream is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov