Boilermaker Salary: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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The median annual wage for Boilermakers (SOC 47-2011) in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN was $109,640 in May 2025 (BLS). The middle half of workers in this occupation and area earned between $100,560 and $116,690.
Direct match Our title "Boilermaker" is reported by BLS as SOC 47-2011 Boilermakers. BLS reports this occupation as Boilermakers. A license or specialty is still checked separately.
For Boilermakers (SOC 47-2011), the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN annual median is $33,230 above the national median of $76,410 (43.5%).
Annual wages: Boilermakers (SOC 47-2011)
Boilermakers (SOC 47-2011), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, annual wages: 10% earned less than $79,410, half earned less than the median of $109,640, 90% earned less than $117,660 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,410 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $100,560 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $109,640 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $116,690 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $117,660 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $103,930 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Hourly wages: Boilermakers (SOC 47-2011)
Boilermakers (SOC 47-2011), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, hourly wages: 10% earned less than $38.18, half earned less than the median of $52.71, 90% earned less than $56.57 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Hourly wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38.18 per hour | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $48.35 per hour | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $52.71 per hour | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $56.10 per hour | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $56.57 per hour | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $49.96 per hour | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
National comparison
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,490 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $64,760 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $76,410 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $95,430 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $110,370 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $80,090 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 47-2011 Boilermakers, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
What BLS wages measure. OEWS estimates describe straight-time gross wages, not just base salary and not total compensation. They include commissions and production bonuses. They exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. Discuss travel, per diem, tool and truck allowances separately. Percentiles describe the occupation's wage distribution, not seniority, plant size, job complexity or credentials. Licensing, union agreements and prevailing-wage obligations depend on the work and assignment; these figures do not establish a premium for them.
Official BLS wage definitions | Source dates and methodology
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Other markets
These are other target markets with published figures, not nearby areas.
All Boilermaker figures | All roles in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
What belongs in the pay comparison for Boilermaker?
Separate ordinary wages from overtime and travel arrangements. Ask about per diem, lodging, mobilization and the schedule away from home. Prevailing wage obligations and union scales depend on the job and agreement. BLS does not publish a special prevailing-wage or traveling-crew percentile.
Published wages are not a complete offer for this specific seat. The occupation is Boilermakers, SOC 47-2011. BLS reports this occupation as Boilermakers. A license or specialty is still checked separately.
What BLS wages measure. OEWS estimates describe straight-time gross wages, not just base salary and not total compensation. They include commissions and production bonuses. They exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. Discuss travel, per diem, tool and truck allowances separately. Percentiles describe the occupation's wage distribution, not seniority, plant size, job complexity or credentials. Licensing, union agreements and prevailing-wage obligations depend on the work and assignment; these figures do not establish a premium for them.
Official BLS wage definitions | Source dates and methodology
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Which related roles have a different BLS occupation?
A supervisory occupation is not an experience percentile for the craft. Compare the actual responsibilities and the published SOC.
Pipefitter Foreman (47-1011)Welding Foreman (51-1011)Pipe Fabrication Shop Foreman (49-1011)Pipefitting General Foreman (47-1011)Pipefitting Superintendent (11-9021)Newly published estimate
BLS did not publish this occupation and area in the previous release.