Journeyman pipefitters under UA Local 281 in Chicago, IL earn $60/hr in base wages, or $94.35/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Apr 2025.
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UA Local 281 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list — call the hall to confirm hours, books and what to bring. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 281 pay scale for 2026 is $60.00 per hour for journeymen in Chicago, IL, or about $120,000 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $94.35 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 4/19/25.
| Local 281 journeyman hourly wage | $60.00 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $94.35 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $120,000 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $27.00–$30.00 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 4/19/25 |
A Local 281 apprentice in Chicago, IL starts at roughly $27.00 an hour — about 45% of the $60.00 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $45.00 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 281 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $27.00 / hour | $54,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $33.00 / hour | $66,000 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $39.00 / hour | $78,000 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $45.00 / hour | $90,000 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $51.00 / hour | $102,000 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $60.00 / hour | $120,000 |
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Local 281 wages: $60.00 an hour on the journeyman scale, $94.35 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 4/19/25. That is the most recent Chicago, IL sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Roughly 36% of the UA Local 281 package is employer-paid benefits and fringes rather than wages, which is why the package figure and a take-home hourly rate are not the same number.
Unverified: crowd-sourced figure (unionpayscales.com), not confirmed against the local's own wage sheet
Download the UA Local 281 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective April 19, 2025.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | $34.35/hr | Derived: total package minus base wage. This is the employer's combined hourly contribution to the funds, not take-home pay. |
|---|---|---|
| What the contributions fund | Health & welfare, pension, annuity, training and industry funds | Standard fund categories in mechanical and electrical agreements. The exact split between funds is set in the local's agreement — the hall or fund office publishes the schedule. |
| Paid on | Every hour worked | Fringe contributions are made per hour worked, so they scale with dispatched hours and are paid to the funds rather than to the member. |
The rates above are the UA Local 281 scale used across the Chicago, IL area. Members dispatched out of this hall work commercial mechanical and process piping, chiller and boiler work, HVAC piping and hydronics and service, retrofit and shutdown work for signatory contractors throughout the Chicago metro, so a pipefitters wage quoted locally is normally this scale plus the fringe package shown in the table.
Gulfstream recruits pipefitters talent for commercial mechanical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around Chicago. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 281 rates. For current Chicago scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
UA Local 281 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call 708-597-1800 to confirm dispatch procedure, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in. Contact details are imported from the UA, SMART and IBEW public directories. Gulfstream is a private recruiting firm, is not affiliated with the local, and does not control hall dispatch.
UA Local 281 represents the skilled Sprinkler Fitters of the Chicago metropolitan area, specializing in the installation, maintenance, and repair of fire suppression systems. As a specialized trade within the United Association, these craftsmen work across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors to ensure life safety and property protection. The local operates a robust training facility that prepares apprentices to handle complex piping, hydraulic calculations, and the rigorous testing requirements mandated by NFPA standards. Given Chicago's strict fire codes and high density of high-rise construction, the demand for highly skilled sprinkler fitters remains consistent for both new installations and mandatory retrofitting projects.
The market for UA Local 281 is defined by a high barrier to entry regarding safety certifications and technical proficiency. Signatory contractors rely on this union for a workforce capable of navigating the city's complex building codes and specialized industrial environments. Membership provides access to large-scale infrastructure projects, data centers, and healthcare facilities where fire suppression is a critical component of the build. Because fire safety systems are strictly regulated by local and state laws, the labor force must maintain constant compliance with evolving technologies, including pre-action systems and foam suppression, making the Local 281 training center a vital hub for professional development in the Great Lakes region.
Based on the rates effective April 19, 2025, a Journeyman Sprinkler Fitter in UA Local 281 earns an hourly base wage of $60.00, contributing to a total compensation package of $94.35 per hour. This fringe benefit spread of $34.35 covers essential health, welfare, and retirement funding. Apprentices enter the program at a percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting between 40% and 50% and receiving incremental increases every six to twelve months as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. These scheduled raises reward technical advancement and field experience, ensuring that by the fifth year, the apprentice is performing near the full scale. All members should verify their specific classification and any shift differentials with the Local 281 business office to ensure accurate payroll accounting.
The chartered territory for UA Local 281 covers the Greater Chicago area and several surrounding counties in Northeast Illinois. The jurisdiction extends from the urban core of Cook County into the growing suburban corridors and industrial zones of neighboring counties. Members are dispatched to a variety of project sites, ranging from O'Hare International Airport renovations to logistics warehouses and high-density residential towers. The local manages travel and dispatch rules according to the collective bargaining agreement, which dictates how members report to work sites across the collar counties. This geographic footprint ensures that signatory contractors have access to a centralized pool of specialized fire protection labor throughout one of the nation's most active construction markets.
The signatory contractor base for UA Local 281 consists of a diverse mix of specialty fire protection firms and large mechanical primes. These organizations range from local family-owned service providers to national fire safety corporations that handle massive industrial and institutional contracts. Hiring activity is generally driven by the cycle of new commercial construction in the Chicago Loop and the continuous maintenance requirements for existing fire suppression systems. The relationship between the union and the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) helps stabilize labor costs and safety standards, ensuring that signatory contractors remain competitive while providing the highest level of life safety protection for building owners and developers.
Members are trained to install and maintain a wide array of fire suppression technology including wet and dry pipe systems, pre-action systems for sensitive environments like data centers, deluge systems for high-hazard industrial areas, and foam or chemical suppression systems. They also handle the installation of fire pumps, standpipes, and underground supply lines.
Travelers and transfers are generally handled according to the United Association's constitution and local hiring hall rules. Those looking to transfer should contact the Local 281 business agent to discuss the current work outlook and specific requirements for getting onto the out-of-work list or transferring their book.
Beyond the initial apprenticeship, the training center offers continuing education and specialized certifications. This includes backflow prevention testing, advanced welding certifications, and updates on NFPA codes. Keeping these certifications current is essential for journeymen to remain eligible for dispatch to specialized high-tech or industrial job sites.
The trade is physically demanding, requiring the ability to lift heavy piping, work at significant heights on lifts or scaffolding, and maneuver in confined spaces. Members must be comfortable working in diverse weather conditions and possess the manual dexterity needed to operate threading machines and various power tools safely.
UA Local 281 is seated in Chicago, Illinois (IL). We hold published wage sheets for 32 locals across Illinois — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
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Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 281 pay scale for 2026 is $60.00 per hour for journeymen in Chicago, IL, or about $120,000 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $94.35 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 4/19/25.
Journeyman pipefitters under the UA Local 281 agreement make $60.00 an hour in base wages, or $94.35 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 4/19/25. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$60.00 per hour base wage and $94.35 per hour total package for a journeyman in Chicago, IL, effective 4/19/25. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $120,000 before overtime.
A Local 281 apprentice in Chicago, IL starts at roughly $27.00 an hour — about 45% of the $60.00 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $45.00 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 281 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $27.00 an hour, or roughly $54,000 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $60.00 journeyman rate effective 4/19/25. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $39.00 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $45.00 an hour in the fourth period and $60.00 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 281 training center.
Local 281 wages: $60.00 an hour on the journeyman scale, $94.35 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 4/19/25. That is the most recent Chicago, IL sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published UA Local 281 journeyman rate is $60.00 an hour ($94.35 total package), effective 4/19/25 — roughly $120,000 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. Confirm the effective agreement with the local.
Yes — a one-page printable UA Local 281 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ua-local-281-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $60.00 hourly scale, the $94.35 total package and the 4/19/25 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current UA Local 281 journeyman rate is $60.00/hour, with a total package of $94.35/hour including fringe benefits, effective 4/19/25. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $120,000 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 281 business office before relying on the figure.
The $60.00/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $94.35/hour total package adds employer-paid fringes — health and welfare, pension, annuity, apprenticeship training, and industry funds. Contractors bid work off the total package, so that is the number that matters when comparing plumbers & pipefitters labor costs across locals.
Apprentices under the UA Local 281 agreement are paid a graduated percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting near 40–50% in the first period and stepping up each six-month or annual period until reaching 100% at turnout. Against the current $60.00/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $27.00–$30.00/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
UA Local 281 is headquartered in Chicago, IL and dispatches plumbers & pipefitters manpower throughout its chartered jurisdiction. Work performed inside that territory falls under the local's collective bargaining agreement and wage schedule, even when the contractor is based elsewhere and travels in.
Most locals require applicants to be at least 18, legally able to work in the U.S., hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a basic math/aptitude assessment and a drug screen, and be physically able to perform plumbers & pipefitters work. Some Local 281 programs give preference to applicants inside the jurisdiction or to veterans. Eligibility rules are set by the local's Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), so confirm the current criteria with the hall before applying.
Apprenticeship applications go through the UA Local 281 JATC, not through a contractor or a recruiter. Applications typically open in defined intake windows each year: you submit the application with proof of age, education, and residency, sit for an aptitude test, and then interview. Ranked applicants are placed on an eligibility list and indentured as signatory contractors call for apprentices. Gulfstream Strategic Placements does not process apprenticeship applications — contact the Local 281 training center directly.
Plumbers & Pipefitters apprenticeships generally run four to five years — roughly 8,000–10,000 hours of on-the-job training plus several hundred classroom hours per year. Apprentices earn a paycheck the entire time, stepping up through the wage periods until they turn out as journeymen at 100% of scale.
Signatory contractors hire through the local's hiring hall, so working under the UA Local 281 agreement generally means being a member or being organized in through the local's process. Journeymen from other locals can travel in by signing the out-of-work book, subject to the local's referral rules and manpower needs. Non-union plumbers & pipefitters professionals are usually placed with open-shop contractors instead — we recruit for both.
Rates move with the collective bargaining agreement, typically on a fixed anniversary date each year of a three- to five-year contract, with negotiated increases split between the base wage and the fringe package. The figures on this page reflect the 4/19/25 schedule; check with the Local 281 business office for any increase that has taken effect since.
Wage rates vary widely by local and market. Use the Union Pay Scale Explorer to sort every UA and SMART local by hourly wage, total package, and annualized pay so you can benchmark Local 281 against neighboring jurisdictions and other plumbers & pipefitters markets.
The UA Local 281 hall is at 11900 S Laramie Ave Alsip, IL 60803, serving Chicago, IL and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: 708-597-1800.
UA Local 281 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at 708-597-1800 to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in — Gulfstream does not control hall dispatch.
UA Local 281 can be reached at 708-597-1800. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.
$60.00/hr in base wages for journeyman, or $94.35/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective April 19, 2025 per the unionpayscales.com wage sheet.
April 19, 2025. Pulled from the local's current published CBA wage sheet on unionpayscales.com and cross-checked at build time. High confidence for offer benchmarking.
No — the $60.00/hr base is wages only. Employers contribute roughly $34.35/hr more per hour worked to health and welfare, pension, annuity and training funds, which is the difference between the base and the $94.35/hr package.
No. Gulfstream Strategic Placements is a private mechanical construction recruiting firm. We are not affiliated with the local, we do not run dispatch, and we do not set or negotiate union rates. We publish the local's own sourced figures as a reference for members and contractors.
High confidence — last cross-checked against the source on Sep 23, 2026 (7 days ago). Always confirm the current step with the hall before relying on it for an offer.