A Chicago search here is not just the city limits. Our Chicago listings run across the whole labor market, so a role tagged Chicago, IL may sit in any of these communities — and the drive, shift and per-diem are spelled out before you talk to anyone.
Chicago
Union locals covering Chicago
IBEW Local 117, IBEW Local 134, IBEW Local 461 and SMART Local 256 and other area halls are seated in the Chicago market. Each links to its published pay scale, apprentice steps and hall contact details, so you can check scale before you apply. Gulfstream is not a hall and does not run an out-of-work list — applying costs nothing and does not affect your standing with your local.
IBEW Local 117 — Electricians, hall in Elgin, IL. $59.11/hr base · $105.48/hr package · effective 10/26/25.
IBEW Local 134 — Electricians, hall in Chicago, IL. $63.15/hr base · $96.59/hr package · effective 6/26/26.
IBEW Local 461 — Electricians, hall in Aurora, IL. $64.16/hr base · $112.42/hr package · effective 7/26/26.
SMART Local 256 — Railroad Mechanical Workers, hall in Chicago, IL. No published wage sheet on file yet — call the hall.
SMART Local 265 — Sheet Metal Workers, hall in DuPage County, IL. $56.35/hr base · $96.56/hr package · effective 6/1/24.
SMART Local 484 — Railroad Mechanical Workers, hall in Chicago, IL. No published wage sheet on file yet — call the hall.
SMART Local 73 — Sheet Metal Workers, hall in Chicago & Cook County, IL. $53.05/hr base · $98.08/hr package · effective 10/10/24.
UA Local 130 — Plumbers & Pipefitters, hall in Chicago, IL. $60.00/hr base · $92.04/hr package · effective 9/20/24.
UA Local 281 — Plumbers & Pipefitters, hall in Chicago, IL. $60.00/hr base · $94.35/hr package · effective 4/19/25.
UA Local 597 — Plumbers & Pipefitters, hall in Chicago, IL. $58.50/hr base · $98.00/hr package · effective 6/15/25.
Journeyman scale on the Chicago-area sheets we hold runs from $53.05 to $64.16 an hour base, before the benefit package. Those are the halls' own published figures, not our estimates — contract cycles move them, so confirm the current rate with the hall.
Union trade jobs in Chicago by craft
9 commercial trade roles are open across Chicago, IL today, 2 of them commercial HVAC. Pick your craft to search those openings; confirm union status for each role.
9 trade roles are open across Chicago, IL right now, on the union and merit-shop side both. We recruit for commercial mechanical, plumbing, sheet metal, refrigeration and controls contractors in this market, applying is free, and your name is never sent to a contractor without your approval.
Where can I find union electrician jobs near Chicago?
Start with the IBEW locals based around Chicago above and use the Electrical jobs link to search current openings. We list commercial trade jobs, not hall dispatch calls; ask the recruiter whether a particular employer is signatory before applying.
Where can I find union HVAC jobs near Chicago?
Use the Commercial HVAC jobs link above for current Chicago-area openings, then compare nearby UA and SMART local pages for hall details and published pay. An HVAC listing is not necessarily covered by a union agreement; confirm that for each role.
Which union locals cover Chicago?
IBEW Local 117, IBEW Local 134, IBEW Local 461 and SMART Local 256 and other area halls are seated in the Chicago market. We publish each hall's address, phone number and latest published journeyman rate on its own page, taken from the local's own wage sheet. Journeyman scale on the Chicago-area sheets we hold runs from $53.05 to $64.16 an hour base, before the benefit package. Those are the halls' own published figures, not our estimates — contract cycles move them, so confirm the current rate with the hall.
What does union scale pay in Chicago?
Journeyman scale on the Chicago-area sheets we hold runs from $53.05 to $64.16 an hour base, before the benefit package. Those are the halls' own published figures, not our estimates — contract cycles move them, so confirm the current rate with the hall.
Do I have to be in a union to take a Chicago job?
No. Both signatory and merit-shop contractors hire across Chicago, IL. Tell your recruiter which you prefer and we will only send roles that match — classification, hours and benefits are confirmed before any introduction.