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Chicago Union & HVAC Job Market Update

A live look at hiring in Chicago, IL: 8 open roles, 7 union halls based in the market covering Electricians, Sheet Metal Workers and Plumbers & Pipefitters, and the published journeyman rates behind them.

How many jobs are open in Chicago, IL right now?

Gulfstream is currently recruiting for 8 open roles in the Chicago market, including 1 commercial HVAC opening alongside 7 plumbing, piping, electrical, controls and project-management seats. Counts update as roles are filled and new ones are released — the live list is on jobs in Chicago, IL.

Which union trades are represented in Chicago?

Electricians, Sheet Metal Workers and Plumbers & Pipefitters halls are based in the Chicago market. Each hall runs its own referral and apprenticeship process, and the openings we recruit for sit with commercial mechanical, plumbing and electrical contractors working across the metro.

  • IBEW Local 134 — Electricians, hall in Chicago, IL. IBEW Local 134 jobs in Chicago
  • SMART Local 256 — Sheet Metal Workers, hall in Chicago, IL. SMART Local 256 jobs in Chicago
  • SMART Local 484 — Sheet Metal Workers, hall in Chicago, IL. SMART Local 484 jobs in Chicago
  • SMART Local 73 — Sheet Metal Workers, hall in Chicago & Cook County, IL. SMART Local 73 jobs in Chicago
  • UA Local 130 — Plumbers & Pipefitters, hall in Chicago, IL. UA Local 130 jobs in Chicago
  • UA Local 281 — Plumbers & Pipefitters, hall in Chicago, IL. UA Local 281 jobs in Chicago
  • UA Local 597 — Plumbers & Pipefitters, hall in Chicago, IL. UA Local 597 jobs in Chicago

What do union trades pay in Chicago?

These are the published journeyman base rates for the halls based in Chicago, before fringe benefits. Wage rates change each CBA cycle — confirm the current rate with the hall before you make a decision on it.

LocalTradeJourneyman baseTotal packageEffective
IBEW Local 134Electricians$63.15/hr$96.59/hr6/26/26
UA Local 130Plumbers & Pipefitters$60.00/hr$92.04/hr9/20/24
UA Local 281Plumbers & Pipefitters$60.00/hr$94.35/hr4/19/25
UA Local 597Plumbers & Pipefitters$58.50/hr$98.00/hr6/15/25
SMART Local 73Sheet Metal Workers$53.05/hr$98.08/hr10/10/24

Compare these against neighbouring markets on compare local wages, or see the source documents on union wage sheets.

Who is hiring in Chicago?

Our Chicago openings are with commercial mechanical, plumbing, electrical and controls contractors — the firms building healthcare, data centre, education, industrial and large commercial projects in the metro. Client names stay confidential until you're in process, but every posting lists the scope, the trade, the shift pattern and the pay basis so you know what you're applying to before you talk to anyone.

How do I hear about new Chicago openings first?

Set a job alert on the Chicago, IL jobs page. It's scoped to this market and the trades that actually hire here, so you get an email when a new or reopened Chicago role posts — not a daily digest of everything on the site. You can change the trades or unsubscribe from any email.

What about markets near Chicago?

Plenty of Chicago trades take work in the surrounding markets, especially on longer commercial projects:

  • Jobs in Detroit, MI — 4 open roles today.
  • Jobs in Cincinnati, OH — 8 open roles today.
  • Jobs in Louisville, KY — 3 open roles today.
  • Jobs in Knoxville, TN — 4 open roles today.

Browse everything live in this market on jobs in Chicago, IL, or check national rates on union wages.

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