Plumber in Illinois
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.
Jobs (IL)
10-yr job growth
Est. total cost
Time to complete
route How to become a plumber in Illinois
To become a licensed plumber in Illinois, individuals must first complete a 4 to 6-year apprenticeship program, accumulating a minimum of 5,600 hours of experience. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) oversees the licensing process. After completing the apprenticeship, applicants must pass the Illinois Plumber's License Examination. While Illinois does not have statewide reciprocity with other states, plumbers licensed in the City of Chicago who have completed a four-year apprenticeship may be eligible for a state license without re-examination.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Illinois. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Illinois requirements
| Licensing body | Illinois Department of Public Health |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Completion of a US DOL-approved apprenticeship program. |
| Experience | 5,600.0 hours |
| Exam | Illinois Plumber's License Examination ($175) |
| Application fee | $150 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing education | 4.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age for an apprentice plumber is 16 years old. To become a licensed plumber, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have completed at least two years of high school or equivalent. Illinois has a single 'Plumber' license tier above apprentice. To own a business, one must register as a Plumbing Contractor. |
workspace_premium Illinois license tiers
Illinois offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Plumber | 8,000 |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleIllinois license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk